Heavier Steering

Level 2 User Joined: 14 Dec 2005 Posts: 57

Does this sound like a knackard steering rack?
I've got a PAS Clio.
The steering has felt a lot heavier than usual over the past couple of days, still a piece of piss to turn but can feel sort of every bump thru the wheel.
The steering pump makes a hush noise when I turn the wheel although very quiet.
I did hit a kerb at 30 mph ( As you do..) I was wondering if that could have caused anything?
Should I brace myself for complete PAS failer or just a harder steering from here on?

Level 2 User Joined: 14 Dec 2005 Posts: 57

Also the steering wheel needs to be at about the 11'oc position to go straight, but I don't see how this could be causing it as it's been like that for a while?

Site Subscriber Joined: 28 Jan 2005 Posts: 3547

Get the tracking looked at after the collision! and check the ps fluid level.

Level 2 User Joined: 14 Dec 2005 Posts: 57

PS Fluid is full, would tracking make the steering feel hard at all?
Not questioning you mate just a general question.

Site Subscriber Joined: 28 Jan 2005 Posts: 3547

if they are trying to work against each other yes.

Level 2 User Joined: 14 Dec 2005 Posts: 57

Also just took her out again, it pulls to the right as well.
Under normal driving, seems to brake in a straght line.

Site Subscriber Joined: 28 Jan 2005 Posts: 3547

Pulling to the right, tracking is out, cant understand why it doesnt under braking.

Level 2 User Joined: 14 Dec 2005 Posts: 57

Probably because it's French, expect the unexpected lol.
Cheers anyway mate will get the tracking checked out just praying it isn't the rack thats gone tits up.

Does it sound like a rack problem though, hardened steering?
PAS still works just not as effective when moving, fine when still.

Site Subscriber Joined: 28 Jan 2005 Posts: 3547

may be the belt! but it may just be you! i thought my accelarator seemed harder today lol

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

you have knackered the rack

Level 2 User Joined: 14 Dec 2005 Posts: 57

Chris will it go completely or just stay extra heavy?

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

the track arm may have bent which isn;t a problem, but I always find the racks are damaged after an impact.

whicp the wheel off and see if the track arms are still straight. Also clean the rack as well as you can and keep an eye out for leaks.

Any leaks will mean new rack as its damaged. If its just a bent track arm then you can chage that as long as its not damaged otherwise.

Level 2 User Joined: 14 Dec 2005 Posts: 57

Cheers Chris, first let me wish a merry xmas to you mate.

You reckon a bent track arm could cause heavy steering?

Let me read this quote to you about Castor as this is identical to the problems I'm suffering and it indicates somethings bent.

Quote:

If the caster is out of adjustment, it can cause problems in straight line tracking. If the caster is different from side to side, the vehicle will pull to the side with the less positive caster If the caster is equal but too negative, the steering will be light and the vehicle will wander and be difficult to keep in a straight line. If the caster is equal but too positive, the steering will be heavy and the steering wheel may kick when you hit a bump. Caster has little affect on tire wear.

That is textbook to what I'm suffering. Car pulls to the left, steering wheel kicks out over bumps, tracking slightly out.

Apparently Castor cannot be adjusted so it does mean somethings gone tits up but I'm prepaired to throw money at it hence why I haven't had any xmas pressies.

Also I don't know if you can read anything into this, I hit the kerb on the left hand side of my car, my car pulls to the right?

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

if the castor has altered then the shell or the subframe or the wishbone is bent.

You need to look and see what exactly is bent on it.