Steering issues

[Josh@Renparts]

Right ill try and explain these issues as well as possible....

the car is a mk2 ph3 1.4 16v on a 53 plate dynamique.

Problems are.......

When driving in a straight line the steering wheels is pointing towards 11.30, how is this caused? has something been damaged on the steering?

Also if i sit on the drive (or anywhere lol) and turn the wheel to about 2 oclock and let go it returns to middle a bit and clunks, where as if i turn it to 10 oclock and let go it also returns a bit but doesn't clunk.

also i get a click when turning sometimes (mainly when stationary) coming from the steering wheel area, like a joint for the shaft connected to the steering wheel.

Also getting some resistance on full lock, you can kind of feel roughness through the steering wheel when you start moving on full lock.

the car is lowered 60mm and has 16" 172 alloys

My suspicion is that its my drivehaft, as one of my gaitors is split, im reluctant to book it in to be repaired until i know wether the driveshaft is nackered, how do i work this out? And how do i inspect ball joints, track rod ends etc for damage?

any help greatly appreciated.

 

[edde]

To check for a broken drive shafts check the rubber gaiters see if any grease has leaked out.
the wheel being wonky you need to get the tracking done any good garage will lock the wheel straight ahead when they set it up. Thats will cost you about £30.

 

[Josh@Renparts]

yeh 1 is leaking, but i need to know how to tell if i need a new gaitor or the CV joint is shaggered?

 

[donsrno1]

yeh 1 is leaking, but i need to know how to tell if i need a new gaitor or the CV joint is shaggered?

Not sure how you check, but by all accounts you are as well just getting another driveshaft to save pissing about with the gaiter etc. I think reconed shafts can be bought relatively cheaply.

 

[Blue4Ever]

I'd stop turning the steering wheel so much while your not moving, wears yours tyres out quicker aswel.

 

[donsrno1]

I'd stop turning the steering wheel so much while your not moving, wears yours tyres out quicker aswel.

Can't see it having that much of an effect on the tyres. Compared to the forces on the tyre when going round a corner at 40mph, the wear when just turning it at rest is next to nothing.

 

[Blue4Ever]

Can't see it having that much of an effect on the tyres. Compared to the forces on the tyre when going round a corner at 40mph, the wear when just turning it at rest is next to nothing.

I know I was just being picky and over exagerating! lol

Can't see it doing too much good for the tracking/steering wheel off centre though.

 

[Josh@Renparts]

I mean when moving slowly, again its not going to do more damage to the tracking than doing a sweeping corner at 60. Ill get the tracking done, its still under warranty but ive had it lowered. Might play a bit dumb and take it in. At least then they can diagnose the fault, and then tell me its not covered under warranty.

 

[edde]

yeh 1 is leaking, but i need to know how to tell if i need a new gaitor or the CV joint is shaggered?

Grab hold if it and see if you can rattle it.
Usually its jsut the gaiter which has broken but don't even bother replacing it get a new driveshaft its a pain to replace gaiters.
Working the stearing wheel when stopped puts the biggest load on the stearing my mates Corsa failed some time agao when he was doing constant movemwnt of the wheel when stopped still the rack litrally overheated.