Vague Steering after rack refurbish

[BIFCAIDS]

Good Morning/Afternoon,

before we start, the Clio hasn't moved in over 12 months, last track day it did was December 2021 and until Saturday morning it's been sat on my Mum and Dads drive looking very sorry for itself.


So, 2 years ago I had my steering rack refurbished as I thought a knock from the front was the rack (turns out it was just a little bit of play in the driveshaft due to the diff). Anyway, after fitting and taking the car on it's first track day I noticed an issue with the steering wheel where after a turn it wouldn't centre.

Best example I can give for the issue is this...

Driving straight, the wheel would be centred and the car would drive straight, if you turn either right or left and straighten the car back up the wheel would be maybe at 10 past or 10 to, to drive straight. If you centred the wheel it would still turn in the opposite direction. However, you could give the wheel a quick yank either way to get the steering wheel somewhat back to the centre.

I had the car properly aligned and they did a quick nut and bolt check for me too in 2021 and said all was good but I know the steering isn't right.

Am I being stupid here or what, could there be air in the system, how can I fix this?

I feel like I'm being an absolute r****d and I'd really appreciate any help or advice, thank you.

 

[Danith]

If you've had a complete nut and bolt check then that is a weird one. I had the same and it turned out that the camber bolts hadn't been tightened (Ep3 so electric rack). Don't most folk go EPAS with these cars now due to age related faults with the hydraulic?

 

[JamesBryan]

Worth checking for play in the steering column.

@Beauvais Motorsport seems like he's clued up on this sort of stuff from the posts i've seen.

 

[BIFCAIDS]

If you've had a complete nut and bolt check then that is a weird one. I had the same and it turned out that the camber bolts hadn't been tightened (Ep3 so electric rack). Don't most folk go EPAS with these cars now due to age related faults with the hydraulic?

Yeah, some do but I can't be bothered with that and EPAS isn't without it's issues.

 

[BIFCAIDS]

Worth checking for play in the steering column.

@Beauvais Motorsport seems like he's clued up on this sort of stuff from the posts i've seen.

Inside the car or the whole thing?

 

[BIFCAIDS]

In all honesty, I'd love someone with more nouce than me to experience it.

 

[JamesBryan]

Inside the car or the whole thing?

Yeah inside and then where it bolts to the rack.

 

[JamesBryan]

In all honesty, I'd love someone with more nouce than me to experience it.

Stick my plates on it and go for a drive 😅

 

[BIFCAIDS]

Stick my plates on it and go for a drive 😅

To be honest you replicate it just on my estate. Where I live now, never mind down my Mum and Dads.

 

[JamesBryan]

To be honest you replicate it just on my estate. Where I live now, never mind down my Mum and Dads.

Want me come and look at the weekend?

 

[BIFCAIDS]

Could do yeah, I plan on giving it a big once over clean because it's a disgrace at the moment. You'll notice it instantly too with you going from yours to mine.

 

[JamesBryan]

Could do yeah, I plan on giving it a big once over clean because it's a disgrace at the moment. You'll notice it instantly too with you going from yours to mine.

I'll fire you a message later in the week to let you know if Sat/Sun.

 

[Beauvais Motorsport]

@BIFCAIDS It was like that since first putting the rack in? The pre load could be too tight or/and its not greased properly. You can get to the cap to loosen the pre load with the rack in place if you grind the subframe a bit, doesnt need much removed if any with 1/4" tooling, as long as a hex socket will fit with the right angle. Try small adjustments, its tedious but better than removing the rack.

The rack and column both have weak points that contribute to vagueness and play, this sounds more rack related but without seeing it for my self I cant say for certain.

 

[BIFCAIDS]

@BIFCAIDS It was like that since first putting the rack in? The pre load could be too tight or/and its not greased properly. You can get to the cap to loosen the pre load with the rack in place if you grind the subframe a bit, doesnt need much removed if any with 1/4" tooling, as long as a hex socket will fit with the right angle. Try small adjustments, its tedious but better than removing the rack.

The rack and column both have weak points that contribute to vagueness and play, this sounds more rack related but without seeing it for my self I cant say for certain.

Yeah, so I sent it off, had it reconditioned and then fitted it. Took it to Anglesey but I also had issues with alignment so I assumed it was that. Had Amery Motorsport align the car, the car drove way better but I still had the issue with the steering wheel. It's so strange though, I've never experienced anything like it. I mean it doesn't help I'm an absolute noob mechanically, I'm always happy to have a go but my knowledge is entry level ha ha ha.

Yeah removing the rack is an absolute ball ache.

 

[Sprintboy]

Want me come and look at the weekend?

 

[JamesBryan]

@Sprintboy guessing you want to know what the issue was?

The rack is moving a good 5-10mm side to side when turning. Something isn't quite tight enough.