Steering issue - Hard to Turn Left
#1
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Steering issue - Hard to Turn Left
I'm starting a dedicated thread to follow up on a question I previously posed. I've had some issues with steering on my '98 C4S. What I've noticed is that the wheel is very hard to turn to the left. Basically need two hands to do it. I also don't feel a hard lock at the limit. Turning to the right is pretty standard - stiff but normal. I can move it with one hand and it hits a hard lock.
Power steering fluid is normal level. There are no whining noises. P/S belt looks fine.
No clunks or grinding sensations. It runs dead center and true on the highway at 80mph.
The car had a shimmy a few years ago and had new control arms and tie rods installed. This was prior to my ownership. That shimmy was resolved.
There are no leaks of fluid that I can see on my floor.
I don't think it's the power steering at this point - could this be the steering rack? Could misalignment do this? As mentioned - it's drives perfectly straight with wheel dead center.
Power steering fluid is normal level. There are no whining noises. P/S belt looks fine.
No clunks or grinding sensations. It runs dead center and true on the highway at 80mph.
The car had a shimmy a few years ago and had new control arms and tie rods installed. This was prior to my ownership. That shimmy was resolved.
There are no leaks of fluid that I can see on my floor.
I don't think it's the power steering at this point - could this be the steering rack? Could misalignment do this? As mentioned - it's drives perfectly straight with wheel dead center.
#4
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Tires are fine. I'm not sure if it's a front end alignment issue - because the car otherwise drives rock solid and straight as an arrow.
I haven't tried jacking up the front. I have noticed that when moving the wheel to the right and left with the engine off (key in ACC mode), the steering effort is the same.
#5
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#6
Correct, it could still track straight but your steering effort will be different side to side. You may also notice that it returns to center better one way than the other.
If you had work done on the control arms then the caster adjustment would have been disturbed as part of this.
If you had work done on the control arms then the caster adjustment would have been disturbed as part of this.
#7
RL Community Team
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Check to make sure things are assembled properly in the front and not binding or twisting;
Verify that the rack is in the center of its travel when the wheels are pointed straight forward;
Verify the rack stop washers are present and facing the correct direction on each side of the rack held in place by the threaded-in inside tire rod ends;
Verify the rack is properly tied down in its "U" clamps;
Then get an alignment.
Verify that the rack is in the center of its travel when the wheels are pointed straight forward;
Verify the rack stop washers are present and facing the correct direction on each side of the rack held in place by the threaded-in inside tire rod ends;
Verify the rack is properly tied down in its "U" clamps;
Then get an alignment.
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#8
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#9
I've played with caster settings and their effect on steering weight/feel is basically undetectable. Sounds like a strange rack problem. Jack up the front end, get wheels off the ground, fire it up, and see how the steering feels then.
#10
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What should I expect to see/feel, when I jack up the wheels, if it's the rack?
#11
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Originally Posted by rk-d
What should I expect to see/feel, when I jack up the wheels, if it's the rack?
#13
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Thread Starter
So I guess that rules out power steering and steering rack as the issue....
#14
Exactly. Another way of putting it is, with the front wheels off the ground you isolate the rack and PS system from other variables, like road conditions, tires, alignment, speed, etc. Turn the wheel and if you feel anything but buttery smooth and almost effortless steering in both directions you'll know you've got a rack problem.
#15
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Thread Starter
Exactly. Another way of putting it is, with the front wheels off the ground you isolate the rack and PS system from other variables, like road conditions, tires, alignment, speed, etc. Turn the wheel and if you feel anything but buttery smooth and almost effortless steering in both directions you'll know you've got a rack problem.