List of people able to fix sticky steering

crabbes said:
I would also be keen to have someone look at my steering as it sometimes feels heavy and groans occasionally, mostly when it’s a really hot day?

:thumbsdown:
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I have exactly the same as you. I have sprayed lubricant onto the rack either side of the firewall and it hasn't groaned in 2 months since. Steering still feels heavier than it used to though.

Has anyone got a good picture of the 'drill and grease nipple' hole location? I have researched threads but all pictures seem to have gone since the demise of photobucket.
 
bony_13 said:
crabbes said:
I would also be keen to have someone look at my steering as it sometimes feels heavy and groans occasionally, mostly when it’s a really hot day?

:thumbsdown:
Click to expand...

I have exactly the same as you. I have sprayed lubricant onto the rack either side of the firewall and it hasn't groaned in 2 months since. Steering still feels heavier than it used to though.

Has anyone got a good picture of the 'drill and grease nipple' hole location? I have researched threads but all pictures seem to have gone since the demise of photobucket.
Click to expand...

try looking again.. photobucket is alive again with new ownership.. all those old posts with no pics should be working again :thumbsup:
 
I decided to drill and lubricate my column tonight. I turned the wheel from lock to lock a few times to work the Wurth HHS 2000 around but even on a cool day it still felt a bit sticky. I decided to investigate further as the grease clearly made no difference.

With the car on axle stands it was easier to feel what the steering was doing. I decided to play with the eccentric adjustor again while the wheels were off the ground. This way, the relationship between the adjustor and the steering feel was very clear. I was able to feel the following:

- Drag on the column increasing to a horrible notchy point when adjusting the bottom of the ring towards the rear of the car.

- Drag on the column decreasing to a light-as-a-feather point (but with increasing amounts of slop) when adjusting the bottom of the ring towards the front of the car.

It appears that my initial adjustments a few weeks ago were in the wrong direction, having followed some instructions to the letter. Hopefully I can set the record straight soon and give everyone a clear and repeatable process to follow. I'll report back but am now much more confident that this will work after my initial error!
 
wonkydonkey said:
I decided to drill and lubricate my column tonight. I turned the wheel from lock to lock a few times to work the Wurth HHS 2000 around but even on a cool day it still felt a bit sticky. I decided to investigate further.

With the car on axle stands it was easier to feel what the steering was doing. I decided to play with the eccentric adjustor again while the wheels were off the ground. This way, the relationship between the adjustor and the steering feel was very clear. I was able to feel the following:

- Drag on the column increasing to a horrible notchy point by adjusting bottom of the ring towards the rear of the car.

- Drag on the column decreasing to a light-as-a-feather (but with increasing amounts of slop) point by adjusting the bottom of the ring towards the front of the car.

I decided to make it more scientific than guess work, with a view to being able to carry out this adjustment repeatably for other people in a way that will give them approximately the same column drag that I have.

I attached some weights to one side of my steering wheel, having found a sweet spot on the adjustor ring that felt right. At this sweet spot, the steering wheel can juuuust about hold itself in the horizontal position, but not quite. I made a video but won't upload it until I've been able to test drive the car - hopefully the end of next week (no front bumper at the moment).

It appears that my initial adjustments a few weeks ago were in the wrong direction, having followed some instructions to the letter. Hopefully I can set the record straight soon and give everyone a clear and repeatable process to follow. I'll report back but am now much more confident that this will work after my initial error!
Click to expand...

Sounds promising!
 
Okay, I've now tested the car out following my adjustments...and it's good news! :D Straight away the steering felt free, light and responsive. For the first time I can relax my hands on the wheel and even drive one-handed without fearing for my life. It tramlines a little more easily now, but that's purely because there isn't an inherent stiction in the column preventing it. Also the wheel alignment hasn't been checked yet (I only bought the car last month) but that's happening on Friday.

The car sat in today's 30+°C heatwave for over 8 hours. Getting into the car was almost unbearable, so it was a thorough test of the steering. Last time I used the car it had sat in 20°C sun for 8 hours and the steering was bordering on dangerous. Today, being hyper critical and sensitive, I was ever so slightly aware of a smidge of drag on the column after all that heat. It's barely noticeable and doesn't even compare to how it felt beforehand, even how it used to feel on a cool evening below 10°C. Will I be adjusting it further? Not unless I have the trim panel off for some other reason. I'm happy (and majorly relieved).

A forum member has contacted me about dialling out the sticky steering on his friend's car this Friday so I will employ my measured technique again and will hopefully get the same result.

:D :D :D :D :D
 
Drilling and fitting a grease nipple is a BAD idea for several reasons..

Firstly, no matter how careful you are, you'll introduce swarf into the system. This is bad, because the "wheel" on the shaft is made from a plastic compound, and as such will be damaged by the swarf.

Secondly, once the wheel expands due to heat (which is what causes the problem) it will simply force the grease out from between it and the metal pinion on the motor.

Finally, as the shaft doesn't have an oil seal at the bottom, you risk the grease ending up in both the internal torque sensor, AND the externally fitted angle sensor. The former cannot be replaced without repalcing the column, the latter is a £175 part to replace.

The correct procedure is adjustment and trial.

BTW, these are just my thoughts, and before anyone comments - What do I know...

Mike
 
Since I had my motor control unit done and adjusted the ring the other month, the slight groan has gone and I can drive the car with confidence. I also can drive one handed, just such a better feeling now
 
Ducklakeview said:
Drilling and fitting a grease nipple is a BAD idea for several reasons..
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I agree. Basically I was desperate! I didn't want to drive my car and that isn't a great feeling.

With quite a lot of positive, longstanding reports following greasing I simply had to try it because my eccentric adjustor tweaking was unsuccessful at first. This turned out to have been down to confusing instructions. Greasing the column had no effect on my steering, whereas tweaking the eccentric adjustor did, and life is good again :)
 
Well mine my car confuses me; hot temps today and not a hint of sticky steering!?!?!? What the hell is going on! Lol
 
Just out of interest has anyone sent their steering column away for a refurb to either UK power steering or ECU Testing - just wondered what if anything they changed?
 
MefiEcosse said:
Just out of interest has anyone sent their steering column away for a refurb to either UK power steering or ECU Testing - just wondered what if anything they changed?
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ECU testing will only do the motor, they won't touch the columns themselves.

Plus, all of he instances of "sticky" steering I have done have been a mechanical, rather than electrical issue. I prefer to call it "notchy"

Mike
 
Guys your over complicating this. The stickyness when hot is the motor screw expanding making the feel of the steering tighter. Back the motor adjuster ring off a few a few MM to give it some more room, you’ll know if you’ve gone too far because the car will feel like it’s wandering. Like ducklake said drilling a hole and introducing a bleed nipple is a bad idea.

The worst case steering issues I’ve had to deal with involed me having to remove the steering motor and re grease the screw refit and make adjustments after a few test drives to get the feel right. I’ve pulled so many of these steering racks apart now. They are very simple. If any of you are in the south feel free to drop in to my garage or If up north I’m sure ducklake will help.

Pictures so you can see what it all looks like.
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Just got back from the Ace cafe and single handed steering most of the way home. I could never have done that before I adjusted the ring. Also had my steering motor control refurbished, so can't say if it's all down the ring adjustment or not.
 
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