Alot of play in steering

[Tony]

Driving my car the other day and it just went all weird! The car started to wander all over the road and i struggle to keep it in a straight line,Plus there seems to be alot of play in the steering and not very responsive, What could it be?

A mate said to have my tracking done but i dont think it could be that, maybe track rod ends? Track rod arms? Or worst case a new steering wrack? Wot do people think it could be?

Cheers TONY.

 

[u33db]

Ouch - This is a sore point with me at the moment! My valver was really vague when i bought it a few months ago and since then the tracking has been done, track rod ends replaced, balljoints replaced etc - all of these helped but its still not right....

Two weeks ago i put it into the local dealer and told them to inspect both the rack and the steering column (there is a column linkage that can get really worn) and get rid of a screeching noise when turning the wheel - well, apparently its the rack and im still waiting for it to come on back-order from france!

In my advice i would start with the cheap stuff (tracking, rods etc) - if that doesnt solve it start saving before putting it into a garage - only make sure they have the bits first!

 

[Rajk]

check your front wheels bearings, can cause the car to wander, jack it up and see if it moves, by grabbing the wheel and trying to rock it, i have this prob at the moment, should be sorted soon, check you haynes manual it shows you how to do it!

 

[aaronc]

steering colume

 

[bondy]

just had this trouble myself there is a link in the steering uj take the colum out and clamp it in the vice and weld it up all it is is a peice of rubber that is is supposed to supress noise it wears and wobbles like a b**ch. mine is great now only downside is you got an ocasional vibration but its nowt. if you neeed my info email me at mailtohatnova24@hotmail.com">phatnova24@hotmail.com bondy

 

[The Kirmanator]

I agree with Bondy, I have just had a new steering column fitted £336 and the steering has been transformed. Over the past few months I noticed the steering becoming more and more vague, if I was turning a gradual left hander the my right hand was at 12 oclock on the wheel!

Not sure about welding the column though, I wouldnt recommend this personally but there again Im no mechanic.

 

[Alex M]

Also add to the check first list (inexpensive stuff), the inner track rod joints at rack end of arms, had one of these replaced on mine, what a difference, you need to cahnge whole track arm but really made a large difference, they are about £50 odd from Reno