Hello

[ShroppieSi]

Just thought I should say Hi, to all on the forum. I have dipped in and out since getting my stag earlier in the year, and it's a great source of information.
I bought my car following a serious bike accident in June 2010, which really brought my motorcycling to an end. But I have always been into cars also, and previously built a kit car as well as owning quite a few interesting models over the years.
Anyway I thought I would pick your brains a bit and ask a quick question, what can you do to get a bit more self centering in the steering? mine just doesn't if you see what I mean. I have made sure the tracking is bang on, replaced the drag struts and bushes (the right way round) all to no avail, any thoughts?
Best wishes to all. Si.

[Giles]

welcome to the forum I would think steering would be to do with front suspension geometry castor angle I think will affect the self centre effect so might need checking, might be to do with rack etc?? - sure others will know though

[milothedog]

Hi Si, welcome, (I'm also a motor cycle rider but have managed to keep the shinny side up over the years so far) Changing the rack for one I rebuilt made no end of difference to mine. I suspect a lot of the racks have been adjusted to eliminate the free play but this makes them go tight on a lock which overcomes the forces that give you the centering. mines not perfect but a 100% better than when I got the car in 2009.

Ian.

[Gresley]

Hi Si, welome to the forum, you are not too far away from me...

Brian

[DJT]

Hi Si,

Welcome to the joys of Stag ownership, and to the Forum.

Have you greased the Rack? You will find that there is a small hexagonal bolt in the top of the rack. Remove this and replace with a grease nipple. 6 strokes form a grease gun, using general purpose grease. Then remove the nipple and put the bolt back. This should bedone every 6000 miles. Give it a try, it may help.

Dave

[ShroppieSi]

Thanks for the replies chaps. The rack does seem to be the next thing to look at, good tip about greasing it, will give it a go. Cheers again.
Si.

[Rubce]

Hi Simon

Great colour. Carmine was one I seriously considered when choosing a colour to paint mine. Are you coming on the New Years Day run?

Regards

Bruce

[ShroppieSi]

Unfortunately I am visiting my relations in Scotland at new year, well it will be very nice I am sure, just I won,t be able to go on the run out...
Will deffinately try to come along when I can though.
The pic of the car is actually when I first got it, and I have since had it repainted a bit darker and the sill covers removed. would have attached a more recent photo but I am writing this on my iPad and don't have acces to the photos doh!
Si.

[Another Peter]

Hi Si, welome to the forum, you are not too far away from me...

...and just down the road from me too!

Welcome to Stag ownership from another comparative newcomer.

Regards

Peter

[Danny]

Hi Si,

You can try adjusting your rack to put in some increased play, adjust at the lock-nut / adjuster under the pinion, the amount of adjustment required is very small and easily overdone. When I adjusted mine to take up some play I did is slightly too far which tightened up everything and also removed the self centering.

Cheers
Danny

[redroadster]

nice to see a few members near Wrexham, ( chester, whitchurch, nantwich ) I am in the middle of three of you, don't know of any other stags around me

[Rubce]

nice to see a few members near Wrexham, ( chester, whitchurch, nantwich ) I am in the middle of three of you, don't know of any other stags around me

There are a fair few of us around here:-

you and Brian in Wrexham
Peter in Woore
Simon in Whitchurch
me in Crewe
John in Chester
a magenta one in Bunbury
plus a few others in the Crewe area who occasionally access the forum but don't seem to make themselves known for whatever reason

Regards

Bruce

[V Mad]

Definitely no need for a stag to have dead steering. Try the greasing, and adjust locknut as suggested. Also check that suspension strut top bushes are not dry and binding. I am sure you will 'track' down the problem soon.......

[Guest]

I fitted a new rack to mine and the car became a heavy lumbering hulk, with no self centering. I got advice here and greased it and there was a big improvement, but still far from right in my opinion and you can feel it tugging a bit. I think I will now have a go at Danny's recommedation and see what happens. I still haven't sent the old rack back, so might just repair it.

[ampotter]

Hello Si

Welcome. I'm also not far from you at Newport.

Andrew