'Stiffer' steering after changing shocks

[Skeeter]

I've changed my front shocks to Cup ones, and fitted Sportlines and camber bolts, and since doing so I have noticed my steering feeling 'stiffer'. Its also not so keen to self centre while driving either. If I turn it full lock left then it reaches a point when it seems to loose all desire to self centre and stays on full lock.

I know the tracking is completely out as I haven't had that setup yet, but is there anything else I could have done wrong?

 

[Adamm.]

Get the tracking done first and then see if its still doing it.

 

[Skeeter]

Yep, its booked in.

Just worried I have overtightened a bolt or something?

 

[Rob]

Sounds to me like tracking, although I'd check the front springs are seated properly first.

 

[Fred@BTM]

did you reassemble the top mounts correctly?

 

[Skeeter]

did you reassemble the top mounts correctly?

They went back on in the same order and configuration that they came off, so assuming they were correct before, yes

Just moved my car and the 'not wanting to self centre on full lock' is affecting both directions. Its on around the last 1/4 turn of the wheel.

The springs are seated right (or were at least). When I put the shocks back in one moved so I removed it and seated it properly again and took care not to move them again when refitting.

 

[Rob]

Hmmmm, didn't miss the spacer from the top mount did you???

 

[Skeeter]

Not that I remember. You have the rubber top mount above the bodywork (under the bonnet) with the washer and the nut inside that. Then under the bodywork in order going downwards you have (if I remember rightly) a small nut, then a washer, then the big black rubber thing, then a long metal cylinder.

 

[Rob]

Is the rubber top bit with a nut on pinned against the turret tight?

 

[Skeeter]

Yes, I think so. The nut is done up hand tight. Should it not be? It was tight when I took it off (took a bath in WD40 and some elbow grease to get it off).

 

[KevF182]

Altering camber with them bolts changes the toe massively. Don't drive it until it's aligned correctly.

For example when I fitted mine and set them max negative I then measured the toe and it was over 20mm toed in... and that is a huge amount to be out! I drove it half a mile just to see what it was like and it was absolutely horrid - no grip or steering feel.

 

[Skeeter]

Yeah everything is completely shot. Its all over the place on uneven surfaces. Its booked in at K Tec next friday.

I never planned to drive it until then, but I had to drive it to work today to collect my new tyres

When you did yours jengis, did it make the steering feel stiffer and less keen to self centre until you has the alignment done?

 

[KevF182]

When you did yours jengis, did it make the steering feel stiffer and less keen to self centre until you has the alignment done?

It certainly didn't self centre as it should, especialy nearing full lock where it was as you describe. Not sure mine felt stiffer, as such, just odd.

Felt much better when toe set straight. (although I now run 1mm toe out and a less extreme camber setting)

 

[Skeeter]

Cheers, that makes me feel better. Its parked up now and wont move until it goes to get the alignment done.

 

[Skeeter]

Yep, it was all alignment. Got it sorted today and it feels much better.

 

[Adamm.]

Glad to hear it mate, Nice to see someone update there thread with the solution too.