Suspected steering problem

[Austin]

Hi,

I noticed on Tuesday evening that the steering wheel wasn't straight, not problem you may think...but....the steering wheel has gradually become less straight on the wheel, and it doesn't feel 'right'.

Today on the M42 on the way home (when not even steering) there was a grinding noise -pulled over but couldn't see anything, then continued.

Now and again when steering there are odd noises you can hear when you listen for them i.e. don't here them with the stereo on.

Going to jack it up and have a look underneath tomorrow morning, anything I should be looking for? If I can't see anything I'm gonna take it to a garage as it's make me think 'is this safe'?

Rich

[Nate]

something has come loose or broken. DO NOT DRIVE until this is sorted - voice of experience, a steering arm coming off at "motorway speeds" (obviously by that i mean 70 *ahem*) is a less than pleasant experience.

i'd start by checking the car is sitting level. check wheel bolts tight. check camber adjusting bolts tight. check steering arms - tight at both ends, track rod ends still secure. check rack still firmly bolted on. lower balljoints secure. wheel bearing not rough or full of play.

check for any uneven tyre wear (front and rear) as this can often give you a good pointer

[Austin]

Thanks the advice Nate,

I've had the car up on axle stands this morning (early riser!).

There is significant weeping from the n/s shock - the fluid has covered the n/s wheel arch and is dripping down onto the strut and wheel.
The rubber on the o/s steering rack has also perished - is this a problem - or will this be a problem in the near-term future?

Will be having a more detailed look underneath later, have booked it into a garage to be MOT'd and they'll be able to gauge more accurately than me if there is anything else significantly wrong.

Rich

[Nate]

There is significant weeping from the n/s shock - the fluid has covered the n/s wheel arch and is dripping down onto the strut and wheel.

that's probably going to be an mot fail. if it's that bad it's almost certainly affecting the damping. bounce that corner, then the other side and see if you can see a difference between the 2

The rubber on the o/s steering rack has also perished - is this a problem - or will this be a problem in the near-term future?

if you mean the rubber gaitor (end of the rack where the arm comes out) then yes, it's a test fail. if you mean the cover that goes over the steering column joining the rack, i don't think that is a test fail, but would be sensible to replace when you get the chance.


does it make your griding moise when you bounce it? wondering if maybe you have actually snapped the piston in your shocker

[Austin]

There is significant weeping from the n/s shock - the fluid has covered the n/s wheel arch and is dripping down onto the strut and wheel.

that's probably going to be an mot fail. if it's that bad it's almost certainly affecting the damping. bounce that corner, then the other side and see if you can see a difference between the 2

Yes it is significantly affecting the traction of the n/s wheel - judders over bumps in the road etc. The o/s seems fine.

The rubber on the o/s steering rack has also perished - is this a problem - or will this be a problem in the near-term future?

if you mean the rubber gaitor (end of the rack where the arm comes out) then yes, it's a test fail. if you mean the cover that goes over the steering column joining the rack, i don't think that is a test fail, but would be sensible to replace when you get the chance.

Yes the rubber gaitor is split around almost the whole circumference. (is this a hard/expensive job?)

does it make your griding moise when you bounce it? wondering if maybe you have actually snapped the piston in your shocker

There is a noise, maybe a very faint grinding noise, but nothing noticeable unless you really listen for it.

[Nate]

the steering arm gaitor is a cheap part. usually not too bad to fit - if it's on the side with a track rod end that comes off you're larfing. otherwise it means taking the steering arms off the rack. not that much harder, but more of a pain. you will need to get the tracking checked afterwards.

i'd suggest that your other fault is goig to be a deaded shocker, possibly a broken spring. without actually looking at it, that's as helpful as i can be i'm afraid. if you're near swindon feel free to call in and i'll check it over for ya

[Austin]

Well it's booked in for MOT so I'll also see what they say. If it's something that I can repair then I'll probably SORN the vehicle and carry out the work myself. The reason I say SORN is purchased another vehicle for the time being while I get this sorted. :)