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Heavy Steering
GaryM - 26/6/09 at 10:39 AM

My steering seems to be very heavy for such a light car (even with the front wheels jacked off the ground) so I've been investigating.

I've disconnected the track rod end ball joints from the steering arms (cortina upgrights) and found that the amount of effort required to turn the upright+hub+wheel assembley is significant.

The car has now done 900+ plus miles so I was hoping that the lower cortina ball joints and upper transit drag links should have loosened upby now but it would appear they haven't!

I guess I need to replace them and see if this improves things.

Can anyone recommend a good supplier and/or lend me some so I can eliminate the balljoints for sure?

...or any other suggestions greatfully received.

Cheers
Gary

[Edited on 26/6/09 by GaryM]

blakep82 - 26/6/09 at 10:44 AM

isn't there some sort of damper in the rack which can be tightened or loosened to tighten or loosen the rack?

wilkingj - 26/6/09 at 10:50 AM

quote:
Originally posted by blakep82
isn't there some sort of damper in the rack which can be tightened or loosened to tighten or loosen the rack?


He says he has disconnected the rack, so that is out of the equasion.

Sounds like stiff joints (I know I suffer with this, especially in the shoulder).

I would carefully ease up the rubber covers, and check they are well greased.
undo the top, and check the bottom one, and then do the others in turn. It may be one tight joint that needs replacing.

Do it by process of elimination, and one part at a time.
The testing wont cost you anything, only your time. To replace all 4 balls is the worst cost. but maybe its only one or two.

GaryM - 26/6/09 at 10:51 AM

With the track rod ends disconnected from the steering arms on the uprights the steering rack has been effectively isolated.

Also, when spinning the steering wheel with the rack isolated from the uprights, the steering spins without undue resistance/stiffness.

Danozeman - 26/6/09 at 11:30 AM

As Geoff says mate. check the joitns 1 at a time before you replace the lot. May cost you a fiver rather than 50 quid.

GaryM - 26/6/09 at 12:18 PM

It would appear to be lower balljoints.

I've removed them from the car, removed the dust cover and checked that they contain grease (they do).

No amount of 'exercising' seems to loosen them off though.

I guess I need to replace them.

eccsmk - 26/6/09 at 01:26 PM

i cheated with my new balljoints
clamped the part that goes into the hub in the pillar drill and made a bracket to hold the mounting point still
half an hour in the drill and they were lovely and free

this wasnt on my indy BTW it was on one of the race cars

GaryM - 28/6/09 at 08:57 AM

I've fitted 2 new Coritna lower balljoints (First Line supplied by local autofactor £15 each) and it's totally tranformed the steering.

Nice light action when turning the wheel, Plenty more feel and excellent self centering.

Ta Guys