steering help
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 411
Likes: 1
steering help
Swapped my springs, shocks and sways, drove to work and noticed alot of excessive movement in the steering. Basically it takes twice as much turn of the steering wheel to move the move than before i changed anything. Got an alignment, and no change...took it back and they said they need more time to look at it. I took my key and left. That's what i dropped it off 5 hours ago. Anybody had this problem before with steering,, anyway to tighten it up?
Track Junky
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,074
Likes: 36
From: Orlando Area
Tech Contributor
I think you put my old setup on your car. Did your ride height change at all? I'm not sure that would affect the amount of steering input, but it may help matter guys than me help diagnose. Also, does it do the same at different speeds (slow around the neighborhood vs. street/highway driving)?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 411
Likes: 1
Really don't think any of it would affect the steering, the alignment was within tolerance. Just curious if i messed something up. The tie rods are tight,,steering just feels sloppy. Is there some other way to adjust the steering?
Track Junky
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,074
Likes: 36
From: Orlando Area
Tech Contributor
How about the steering feel at low and high speed? Any difference?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,491
Likes: 806
From: West coast CA
Make sure the subframe is tight, the rack is tight, and be sure to check the pinch bolt that secures the steering column to the rack.
Track Junky
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,074
Likes: 36
From: Orlando Area
Tech Contributor
Does it feel different all the time? Any strange noises, rubbing, clicking, etc?
I'm struggling to think of a reason you would have this issue unless it was the different suspension you are actually feeling and not actual steering input.
I'm struggling to think of a reason you would have this issue unless it was the different suspension you are actually feeling and not actual steering input.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 411
Likes: 1
At slow speed (parking lot/driveway), have to turn the wheel 180 degrees to make slight turns. .this never happenedbefore. Feels fine higher speed, except for the wheel not coming back to center on its own. Somewhat requires more steering turn to make slight steering changes. Possibly be the power steering assist? Wheel removing the wheel speed sensors affect this? I reconnected both. Will take another look at it tonight
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,491
Likes: 806
From: West coast CA
At slow speed (parking lot/driveway), have to turn the wheel 180 degrees to make slight turns. .this never happenedbefore. Feels fine higher speed, except for the wheel not coming back to center on its own. Somewhat requires more steering turn to make slight steering changes. Possibly be the power steering assist? Wheel removing the wheel speed sensors affect this? I reconnected both. Will take another look at it tonight
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 411
Likes: 1
Pinch bolt? All i removed was upper control arms, disconnected wheel speed sensors, replaced shocks, sways and springs. Put everything back together (using a torque wrench). Have checked 3 times to make sure everything was right/tight. Even took it back to the place that did the alignment(cleaned the wheels today, noticed a 1 inch scratch in my wheel...*******s...wasnt there before).
Out of ideas,, probably take it somewhere else come Monday.
Out of ideas,, probably take it somewhere else come Monday.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,491
Likes: 806
From: West coast CA
Sounds like the caster angle has changed... wait a minute, could you have accidentally swapped the left and right upper control arms?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 24,992
Likes: 2,694
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
A friend had his C5 camber adjustment come loose on one side while AXing, and go to full negative camber for that side only. It produced results similar to what you are describing.