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Strange steering problem
#1629412
09/02/2019 13:42
09/02/2019 13:42
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,452 Both feet in Meldrew Ave
Cappo
OP
Forum is my life
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OP
Forum is my life
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,452
Both feet in Meldrew Ave
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Hi all, hoping someone can point me in the right direction before I have to start rolling around on the ground under MrsC's 2000 20VT Plus.
I was driving it last weekend, exited a main road via a slip road, and halfway up the sliproad the steering wheel suddenly started juddering from side to side really violently - I'd say probably 3" of movement in either direction. I was right by a petrol station so I pulled in, checked everything I could do a visual on, and found nothing, so I drove along the road slowly and it all seemed fine again. I put it down to something on the road surface. Got home from there, about 40 miles, without it happening again.
However, she was driving it today and has told me that the same thing happened, twice. I drove it about 50 miles this morning with no problem. She then did a similar distance and got within 3 miles of home when this happened.
Are there any known/obvious reasons for this? All I can really think of is a knackered inner or outer track rod end, but it passed the MOT first time in December with no advisories, so it would be strange if that's happened so quickly.
All suggestions most welcome, thanks!
Habeus Maximus V8 Nihilum
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Re: Strange steering problem
[Re: Cappo]
#1629469
11/02/2019 07:39
11/02/2019 07:39
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,204 Kent
Submariner
My job on the forum
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My job on the forum
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,204
Kent
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Re: Strange steering problem
[Re: Cappo]
#1629502
11/02/2019 12:15
11/02/2019 12:15
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,452 Both feet in Meldrew Ave
Cappo
OP
Forum is my life
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OP
Forum is my life
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,452
Both feet in Meldrew Ave
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Checked the wheel bolts the first time it happened, that was my immediate thought.
Re the diff, this has only occurred three times in approx 200 miles - I assume if that was playing up it would be more frequent? Also each time it has stopped after a short time/distance.
Here's my thought: each time it happened was after braking, twice coming off a motorway/A road, so, reasonably hard braking. I'm wondering whether one of the front calipers is binding after hard braking, and if it's grabbing the disc then that will shake the steering wheel. Once it cools down a little it releases and the wobbling stops. Make any sense?
Habeus Maximus V8 Nihilum
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Re: Strange steering problem
[Re: Cappo]
#1629517
11/02/2019 16:58
11/02/2019 16:58
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,508 In the coupe.
magooagain
Club member 259
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Club member 259
Forum is my life
Joined: Oct 2008
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In the coupe.
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I was thinking about a caliper/pad binding after heavy braking and it's possible when you speed up again it throws the piston back into position. But if it's binding after the braking it then really it should be getting hotter not cooler when moving off again,if still binding.
It could be on the cusp of giving a total lock up on that caliper. If of course that is the problem.
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Re: Strange steering problem
[Re: Countrycruising]
#1629525
11/02/2019 19:23
11/02/2019 19:23
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,452 Both feet in Meldrew Ave
Cappo
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Forum is my life
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OP
Forum is my life
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,452
Both feet in Meldrew Ave
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Check tyre pressures and top mounts are the correct way round, bump forward as they're handed. I'd hope the top mounts are the right way around, last time they were off was about 5 years ago, and the problem only started a week ago! I was thinking about a caliper/pad binding after heavy braking and it's possible when you speed up again it throws the piston back into position. But if it's binding after the braking it then really it should be getting hotter not cooler when moving off again,if still binding. Yes, I see where you're coming from there. My thoughts were that one of the pistons is just a bit slow to retract and that's what's binding. Could be wrong though. I just can't think what else would come on suddenly, only do it three times in about 200 miles (with perfectly normal driving in between) and only do it when braking for a roundabout each time it happened. Hmmm....
Habeus Maximus V8 Nihilum
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Re: Strange steering problem
[Re: Cappo]
#1629532
11/02/2019 20:40
11/02/2019 20:40
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,109 Abu Dhabi, UAE (again)
DaveG
Club member 311
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Club member 311
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Abu Dhabi, UAE (again)
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I wouild agree that the track rod ends, drop links or other front suspension fittings could be to blame. Maybe a ball joint is on the way out and causing the steering to "jump" like that? But I suppose it could always be the rack istself or PAS pump?
1996 Portofino 20vt & 2000 Pearl White Plus 1985½ & 20162017 Fiat 124 Spider + XF Sportbrake
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Re: Strange steering problem
[Re: Master_Mariner]
#1629572
12/02/2019 11:50
12/02/2019 11:50
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,452 Both feet in Meldrew Ave
Cappo
OP
Forum is my life
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OP
Forum is my life
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,452
Both feet in Meldrew Ave
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Have you checked the level of the fluid in the power steering reservoir?
Sounds like the issue was when the car was pointed up hill?
Regards
MM I haven't, but on the three occasions it happened (approaching a roundabout coming off a motorway or main road), one was uphill, one was fairly steep downhill and one was completely flat. Each time it has done it for about 2-3 seconds max and then stopped. So it's happened three times, for that short duration, in around 200 miles. The rest of that distance it has behaved perfectly and as expected. To me this rules out something broken or damaged. I've arranged to have it on a ramp tomorrow, initially for a visual on all the suspension & steering components.
Habeus Maximus V8 Nihilum
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Re: Strange steering problem
[Re: Cappo]
#1629601
12/02/2019 18:16
12/02/2019 18:16
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,508 In the coupe.
magooagain
Club member 259
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Club member 259
Forum is my life
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,508
In the coupe.
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Just a comment about steering fluid. I have boiled my fluid plenty of times on track without any judders etc. mind you I know it can boil so I Allways make sure there is plenty in there.
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Re: Strange steering problem
[Re: Cappo]
#1629655
13/02/2019 21:05
13/02/2019 21:05
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,452 Both feet in Meldrew Ave
Cappo
OP
Forum is my life
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OP
Forum is my life
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,452
Both feet in Meldrew Ave
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Well just to update. It went into a local garage today (a proper repair garage, not a "remove this whole item from the car and replace with a new item"), a garage which I have used, albeit mostly for MOTs, for at least 30 years, so they know me quite well.
They've driven it and been all over the front end and can't find anything more than a broken ABS/brake wear holding bracket and a few extra PSI in the front tyres. Driveshafts and CV joints all OK and holding grease.
The only thing they didn't dive into was the calipers but they don't think that could be the culprit. That said I might overhaul them at the weekend anyway, if only to rule them out.
So I'm properly stuck now.
Habeus Maximus V8 Nihilum
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Re: Strange steering problem
[Re: GrahamL]
#1629718
15/02/2019 13:44
15/02/2019 13:44
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,452 Both feet in Meldrew Ave
Cappo
OP
Forum is my life
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OP
Forum is my life
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,452
Both feet in Meldrew Ave
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Would be worth at least swapping wheels front to back just to see if it makes any difference, might also help if it's some weird wheel balancing issue.
Thanks yes, potential quick win there, I'll try that.
Habeus Maximus V8 Nihilum
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