Tight steering
Discussion
This subject has been posted many times, with the advice being to ebsure the UJ`s etc are greased and the steering column bulkhead bush being in good condition. Well, my car has always had these components in good condition, but the steering still loaded up when cornering and was vague about the straight ahead, and I put it down to the car being an S1 as oppossed to a nearly new S3 which I used to own many moons ago.
Anyhow, I have just had some other work done on the car, and whilst this was being done, the workshop suggested the UJ`s should be in "phase", ie the cross pivots in the UJ`s in line with each other. The steering has always bothered me, and I have spent a great deal of time and money trying to sort out the steering and feel of the car, because it has never been as I remembered. I was even very close to saying enough`s enough and time to move on to an Elise.
This work has now been done and it has absolutely transformed the whole driving experience. It is now dead tight, with a very positive mechanical feel in a straight line, and does not load up when cornering. I have also put a bit more air pressure in the front tyres and it turns in much better. Next stop...track day.
Anyhow, I have just had some other work done on the car, and whilst this was being done, the workshop suggested the UJ`s should be in "phase", ie the cross pivots in the UJ`s in line with each other. The steering has always bothered me, and I have spent a great deal of time and money trying to sort out the steering and feel of the car, because it has never been as I remembered. I was even very close to saying enough`s enough and time to move on to an Elise.
This work has now been done and it has absolutely transformed the whole driving experience. It is now dead tight, with a very positive mechanical feel in a straight line, and does not load up when cornering. I have also put a bit more air pressure in the front tyres and it turns in much better. Next stop...track day.
I didn't think you could fit them out of phase as the flat on my bar is only on one side of the splined section so the bolt to secure the UJ can only fit in one position with adjustment occurring at the steering rack to UJ joint.
My recollection may of course be wrong - so I'll be checking as soon as the bloody rain stops - not that I have an issue here although if it makes a difference like suggested well worth checking
Mark
My recollection may of course be wrong - so I'll be checking as soon as the bloody rain stops - not that I have an issue here although if it makes a difference like suggested well worth checking
Mark
You can't get the top triangular bit wrong but the splines on the intermediate shaft can be fitted in any position - the UJ ends effectively need to be a mirror image at both ends of the shaft.
If not it will feel very wierd, the shaft doesn't turn at a constant rate compared to the steering wheel due to the UJ, the 2 UJ's at the ends of the shaft cancel this out.
Badly explained but I know what I mean!
If not it will feel very wierd, the shaft doesn't turn at a constant rate compared to the steering wheel due to the UJ, the 2 UJ's at the ends of the shaft cancel this out.
Badly explained but I know what I mean!
Barkychoc said:
Badly explained but I know what I mean!
Think I do too !just like a propshaft the two yokes should be "in-line" because the shaft actually accelerates and decelerates slightly as it turns due to the angles, thats why drive shafts have more complex and expensive Constant Velocity Joints (the clues in the name)
Not a very good picture but hope it shows what I mean ?
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