Steering woes. Advice?

[bigwinn]

Hi all

Need a specific steer on an issue that's getting worse by the mile

Steering is getting very floaty and it tramlines like a b'stard. The earlier knock on the right hand wheel is getting worse on turning left.

To recap- its had all new wishbones in the last 500 miles, new drop links about a year ago.

It genuinely feels worse per mile and it's getting unpredictable in a straight line, hence it's parked up until I can resolve it.

Does that sound like the track rod ends have exited stage left?

Stu

[capri_rob]

Have you checked the linkage from the steering column to the rack ?

[gnrsoul]

as above or a wee leak in the rack?
i had something along the same line as you say replaced the linkage from colum to rack it helped a bit, then found a wee leak in the rack witch will be drowning in air and giving the sterring that floaty feeling?

[bigwinn]

rack is coolio, changed it not that long ago and checked for leaks etc

I had a look at the linkage, the rubber LOOKS ok but I know someone replaced theirs and it was properly failed

but would these symptoms show for those causes?

With the TRE's is it best to replace inner and outer joints, or is it the outers that fail more regularly

[HairyScreech]

Do both, there not very expensive and either can cause this issue. However its quite likely that you have the origional inner joints as few people consider these need replacing.

[gnrsoul]

i would say the outter ball joints on the track ends will fail more then the inners links

if the ball joint is fooked this can couse it to pull to one side and give the steering a sh1t feeling

[Idol]

Not being funny have you check your wheel bolts are tight?

[bigwinn]

Do both, there not very expensive and either can cause this issue. However its quite likely that you have the origional inner joints as few people consider these need replacing.

Anyone got a write up- Haynes only does outers

and yes, the wheel bolts are tight

[HairyScreech]

for the inners it is as simple as removing the rubber gator, knocking the lock tab back, unscrewing the joints with a large 30mm ish spanner (some vary in size).

The job is so easy the last time i did a pair i didn't even jack the whole car up, just reached under the front and did it.

[gooseygander110]

you need to jack the car up and rock each wheel in the 1/4 to 3 position , then the 5 to 5 position .....if there is any play you will feel it. If there is , get someone else to rock the wheels and physically feel each joint, track rod ends and inner ball joints. If you still can't see or feel anything put the wheels on hard standing and have someone start the car up and rock steering........check all ball joints, track rod ends,inner track rod ends, even upper suspension mounts. If it is as bad as you say .......you will find something checking it in this way
regards
Gus

[capri_rob]

I had a look at the linkage, the rubber LOOKS ok but I know someone replaced theirs and it was properly failed

I had an advisory on mine on the last MOT - it looked OK - no splits or cracks - but the mechanic showed me there was too much movement in it when the wheel was moved from side to side.

I would never have known if it hadnt been pointed out

Worth changing or checking at least

[bigwinn]

where did you buy one from Rob- do GSF/ECP sell them?

[capri_rob]

I had a better spare one in my frag-stock. Try matt at ECP though

You can drill the bolts out and just buy a new rubber guibo from the dealers and refit it with bolts/nuts - just be sure you use nylock nuts and/or threadlock.

Or replace it with a solid guibo

[capri_rob]

I'd probably get a set of TRE's as well to eliminate that

[bigwinn]

yep TRE is job one

especially as it only seems to be doing it on offside wheel

Cheers lads