How stiff should a "good" steering UJ be ?????

[CaptiV8ed]

Can anyone shed light on how a good UJ should feel?

My steering has tight spots every 180 degrees or so. I bit the bullet this morning and took both off both UJs and gave them a thorough clean and re-oiling. Tons of crud came off both of them. Now all clean and lovely, I don't know whether they're too stiff. Should a UJ move thanks to gravity or only when manipulated? I wonder if they've corroded inside a little. One side of both UJs will fall when held horizontally. The other sides will only move if forced (not particulalry hard..) Perhaps they're duff. Having not seen a new one, I don't know what it should feel like. Now back on the car, the problem is still there with the added bonus of my wheel askew!

Any help appreciated.

[tvrbob]

It should be able to hold up its own weight but easily be rotated by hand.

[CaptiV8ed]

Well, I'd say that's pretty much how they are, but I've still got the notchy steering!!???

[tvrbob]

Sounds like they may be seized then. Are they completely smooth in every movement? My upper was notchy as a result of a slightly seized bearing.

[falcemob]

If they fall with gravity they are OK. There should be no play in them though.

[GreenV8S]

If the bearings have failed they may go loose, or they may start to seize up. The important thing is that when they move, they move smoothly. When you refit them, fit rubber gaiters to protect the UJ. Generic steering rack end gaiters are ideal, with a zip tie to close the ends off.

[CaptiV8ed]

I personally think they're partially siezed. It's definately not a smooth movement though -it can't be in operation as both sides, of course, are being used at once. With both joints, I have found that one side of the joint is free (ish) and the other side is quite stiff. Perhaps a visit to TVRcarparts is iminent!

[That Daddy]

the u.js on the mk3 ford fiesta are a similar design(not same)these fail the MOT all the time,the point im trying to make is sometimes when there removed you cant feel any problem,though when they were fitted the steering feels notchy,BUT if you twist both ends firmly in different directions while rocking side to side,you will feel there is roughness present,not always easily detected,give it a good firm twist,it should feel smooth with no feel of play or notchiness,good luck.

[dilbert]

Aha....

If they're the same or similar to the ones on my shed, then don't faff about just change them. The fiasco I have, got to be completely shot. In the end it was the yokes that were causing the rack to move rather than the bearings in the UJ.

I think mine was £15, and I can't see a reason for it to be much more expensive whoever makes it.

If mine had finaly failed, it would have been a trip through a hedge, I'm sure.

[CaptiV8ed]

Thanks for you replies,

I have now replaced both UJs, and quick as a flash, it's WORSE!!!!!

Gutted or what? So, now I have disconnected both track rod ends and turned the steering with no ball joints involved (they were fine) so with the only the rack connected, it's still notchy.
What I should have done was turn the rack by hand at the lower UJ with everthing else disconnected and seen how that felt. Bugger.

So tomorrow, I shall try that and pray that it feels ok. If it's the rack....I don't wanna go there! ££££££

Has anyone heard of an intermediate shaft bending and if so how? It may be an optical illusion as if the UJs are eccentric, but I wonder if the int shaft is not quite true. It would explain the notchyness.

Any help very gratefully received.

Nick