More steering lock on one side
Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2016 12:32 am
A garage rebuilt my steering 11 months ago.
Since then I have been concerned with the fore and aft movement (1/2" or so) of the steering wheel/column. I tracked this down to an insufficiently tight pinch bolt on the steering coupling. (column to coupling)
So I jacked up the front of the car, to gain access from below, and haven't really been too successful, as the clearance between the bottom radiator hose and the coupling is insufficient, causing interference. I have read here that I will need to lift the radiator. Fair enough.
However, whilst I was listening to the graunching of the coupling on the hose circlip, as I turned the steering wheel, I couldn't help noticing I have more lock to the left than the right!
From wheels straight ahead, I have just over one full turn of the steering wheel to the right, before I hit a hard stop. (about 30* of road wheel deflection.) But from the same, straight ahead position, I have almost one and three quarter turns of the steering wheel to the left before a soft stop as the left tyre hits the anti roll bar! (About 45* of road wheel deflection)
If anyone can help with advice to correct this, I really would be very grateful!
I'm guessing the rack wasn't centred before fitting, but I don't know how easy that is now to achieve?
Edited to add:
Oh, while I'm here. The steering column doesn't run directly fore and aft. The right hand side of the wheel is a little further away from me than the left, as the steering wheel is slightly further outboard than the rack to column coupling! (if you see what I mean) Is that normal for a Plus 2??
Since then I have been concerned with the fore and aft movement (1/2" or so) of the steering wheel/column. I tracked this down to an insufficiently tight pinch bolt on the steering coupling. (column to coupling)
So I jacked up the front of the car, to gain access from below, and haven't really been too successful, as the clearance between the bottom radiator hose and the coupling is insufficient, causing interference. I have read here that I will need to lift the radiator. Fair enough.
However, whilst I was listening to the graunching of the coupling on the hose circlip, as I turned the steering wheel, I couldn't help noticing I have more lock to the left than the right!
From wheels straight ahead, I have just over one full turn of the steering wheel to the right, before I hit a hard stop. (about 30* of road wheel deflection.) But from the same, straight ahead position, I have almost one and three quarter turns of the steering wheel to the left before a soft stop as the left tyre hits the anti roll bar! (About 45* of road wheel deflection)
If anyone can help with advice to correct this, I really would be very grateful!
I'm guessing the rack wasn't centred before fitting, but I don't know how easy that is now to achieve?
Edited to add:
Oh, while I'm here. The steering column doesn't run directly fore and aft. The right hand side of the wheel is a little further away from me than the left, as the steering wheel is slightly further outboard than the rack to column coupling! (if you see what I mean) Is that normal for a Plus 2??