Steering problem

[taylormj4]

Have a problem with the steering.

The car has recently had a body-off chassis refurb and following that the steering felt very stiff and there were squeeling noises.

Car went for a full service(at another garage - well know TVR garage) and they found the lower steering column bearing was damaged and replaced it. Ujs were inspected and found to be sound. However, on collecting the car, I still find the steering to be incorrect as follows:

Steering left is fine and smooth. When steering to the right, the weight in the steering increases (feels more stiff) through the half lock area and then reduces as you get to full lock. This also affects the rate of self centring when you release the lock, which feels strange.

Unfortunately, the garage that did the servicing were not able to detect the issue during a test drive but it is definitely there and different to how the car has been for the last 10 years. On getting the car home, the steering rack is also now dripping fluid on the drive, which it has never done.

Does this sound like a steering rack issue and if yes, what can happen to a rack to cause this? I'm worried the rack could have been bent or cracked.
Any other components that could be at fault. The garage said they had inspected track rod ends. Could power steering pump cause this only on a right hand turn ?

Full wheel alignment has been done during service. Caster angles are 5 deg and 8 deg, which is of course out but the garage did not like to correct them as prefered to leave as TVR had designed.

[chris1972]

I know this sounds very simplistic (about the limit of my mechanics!), but have you checked the banjo joint for leaks? Where is it leaking from?

I had both trackrod ends and the tracking done the other day and have noticed a considerable improvement.

Also, what PAS fluid have they used? I had some squealing when I used Comma 'grey' pas fluid. It made the steering very light. This has since been replaced with Halfords bog standard 'red' fluid and it seems more like it did before I replaced the PAS hoses and the squealing has gone.

Just food for thought?

[simonej]

I had this, (incidentally it was after a body off resto) and it was almost as you described. Like it was tighter for a split second when turning to the right. I never got to the bottom of it but I decided to ignore it and has since gone away. I was also told the rack was leaking but it hasn't spilled a drop since it was cleaned up. Strange.

[taylormj4]

I think it's the from the input steering shaft. Is the banjo connection like a brake line banjo and in one of the pipes from the steering pump ?

[chris1972]

taylormj4 said:

I think it's the from the input steering shaft. Is the banjo connection like a brake line banjo and in one of the pipes from the steering pump ?

Yes, like below:

[SILICONEKID350HP]

Sounds like the UJ`s have not been positioned in the right place ,the UJ close to the body should have a gap ,think mine is 10 to 15mm and they should be opposite to each other ..Its critical how they are fitted .

[taylormj4]

chris1972 said:

Yes, like below:

Many thanks, great info.

[taylormj4]

SILICONEKID350HP said:

Sounds like the UJ`s have not been positioned in the right place ,the UJ close to the body should have a gap ,think mine is 10 to 15mm and they should be opposite to each other ..Its critical how they are fitted .

Hi Silicone, where is that distance measured between please ? Gap from UJ to body?
When you say opposite, do you mean the two UJs should be orientated opposite each other on the shaft ?
Thanks.

[SILICONEKID350HP]

The UJ should not be touching the fibreglass body ,think it should be around 15mm away.

I would let someone who knows what they are doing ,it`s critical.

[Hedgehopper]

taylormj4 said:

When you say opposite, do you mean the two UJs should be orientated opposite each other on the shaft ?
Thanks.

You can't alter the orientation of the ujs because the shafts have flats machined into them for the retaining bolts.

Edited by Hedgehopper on Tuesday 11th June 11:32

[taylormj4]

Hedgehopper said:

You can't alter the orientation of the ujs because the shafts have flats machined into them for the retaining bolts.

Edited by Hedgehopper on Tuesday 11th June 11:32

Ah, like on my Land Rover then; know what you mean. Can you mix the top and bottom UJs up and get different orientations or anything ?

[taylormj4]

SILICONEKID350HP said:

The UJ should not be touching the fibreglass body ,think it should be around 15mm away.

I would let someone who knows what they are doing ,it`s critical.

I'd love to. It's just had a full service and specifi steering check at a well known TVR garage. The problem is still there but hey say they can't detect it so I thought no point in them looking any further and I'd have to do it myself.

[chris1972]

taylormj4 said:

SILICONEKID350HP said:

The UJ should not be touching the fibreglass body ,think it should be around 15mm away.

I would let someone who knows what they are doing ,it`s critical.

I'd love to. It's just had a full service and specifi steering check at a well known TVR garage. The problem is still there but hey say they can't detect it so I thought no point in them looking any further and I'd have to do it myself.

WTF? As soon as they agreed to do that work and invoiced you, they created a contract. I'm no expert, but either they offer you some money back or rectify the issue. Failing this, I would fill out an application with the local small claims court (local to them). If you have the invoice detailing the work, it significantly increases your chances of success. If they couldn't find the issue, they shouldn't have billed you. Small claims court sounds daunting, but is a fairly simple process.

[taylormj4]

chris1972 said:

WTF? As soon as they agreed to do that work and invoiced you, they created a contract. I'm no expert, but either they offer you some money back or rectify the issue. Failing this, I would fill out an application with the local small claims court (local to them). If you have the invoice detailing the work, it significantly increases your chances of success. If they couldn't find the issue, they shouldn't have billed you. Small claims court sounds daunting, but is a fairly simple process.

Wo there cowboy ! Lol. The garage did the work I paid them for (service and looked into the steering issue) but after they'd changed the steering column bearing, they thought the steering was fine. I disagree and think there is an additional problem but if they couldn't feel what I meant, there was no point in continuing as how would they know if they'd corrected it. So they haven't charged me for any work that hasn't been done or anything. So no need for sueing or anything.