My Phantom sloppy steering issue, help needed!

[sinnie92]

Hi guys,

I can't seem to shake this steering issue, it feels like it doesn't start to steer straight away if that makes sense, in a straight line I can move the wheel 15-20 degrees side to side without any steering or roll action which you'd expect, nothing. I'm lose to putting the car in the bin tbh, to date I have changed:

Top mounts, shocks and springs on every corner, inner and outer track rod ends, polybush rack bushes, polybush arb bushes inner and outer.
Ive allways ran Michelin ps3 and use recommended toe (-0 12')

I haven't changed the lower arm bushes or ball joints, they seemed okay to me, what is the correct procedure to check them and how much play is permissible?

Other than the arms is there anything else which could be doing this?

Cheers

 

[klm182]

maybe its a silly question have you took it to a wheel alignment specialist ,after all your stuff was fitted? ..i had mine done..i had new top mounts.springs/dampers/track rod ends..fitted.my steering felt loose, after the alignment it felt like a new car, like a go kart.. you get a print out before and after too..

 

[CJM]

Worth checking for play in the rack also.

 

[DannyR]

New steering column needed. Sounds like the bearing in the top of it is fucked.

Had similar happen to one of mine.

 

[sinnie92]

Danny how would I check column play?

 

[DannyR]

Turn your steering wheel and if nothing moves straight away it's that, basically the symptoms you listed.

 

[sinnie92]

Looking down at the driver side wheel, it moves immediately when turning steering wheel ever so slightly:weary: certainly one of those rare moments when you are disappointed that something isn't broken...

I'm guessing checking all the alignment is next I suppose, I presume if something was massively out of spec it would cause crap handling right?

On the iow, I have the choice of ats or another ats for a computerised 4 wheel check, will this be useful to me or shall I wait until I'm on the mainland next and visit alignment specialist?

 

[sinnie92]

Guys,

I just read this http://www.cliosport.net/threads/steering-rack-is-it-broke.731422/

Someone there had an issue with the bottom UJ on column, but the steering seemed to act immediately, like me.
Now, how do I remove the big rubber gaito r without ruining it?

Cheers

 

[bbracer16v]

@sinnie92 did you fix this ever?? Ive changed my rack.. Poly mount bushes.. New inner arms on rack and track rod ends.. New ball joints.. Lower arms still rubber.. But the steering felt dodgy before all that got changed and all im left with is coloum or uj bit.. Or lower arms..