Light Steering

[HashStag]

Hi,

Yesterday was the first dry day since I bought my Stag so I took it for a spin around some country lanes and was a bit concerned about how light the steering felt, far from sure footed. I'd only driven this car on a motorway before which was the trip home from my purchase when it was windy and wet so plenty of other things to concentrate on especially with a few electrical issues than manifested.

The lastest copy of Triumph World has a Stag buyers guide (wish I had this prior to my purchase) and it applauds the steering and handling. The car has a 12 month MOT for which new track rod ends were fitted.

I'm hoping it's just tracking but being a newbie in the Stag world is there any general advice on what I should check ?

Cheers

Dave

[martin]

Hi Dave, if the steering is over light, the rack is on the way out. Is there another Stag owner near you that can make a comparison ? Martin.

[jleyton]

I've always felt that, compared to most others, the Stag's steering feels very light - I like it that way

So, as Martin suggests, try to compare it with another Stag.

Cheers

Julian

[pcoleman]

mines the same, very light and not like a modern car at all

peter

[V Mad]

Dave, they vary enormously. Sometimes the problem is vagueness rather than too light, and this can be due to tracking errors, binding rack or strut bearings. Jack up the front and make sure it all turns freely with engine off. Then check/reset the tracking. If it still feels odd then try another rack.

[HashStag]

Cheers chaps,


Good ideas, I don't know of any local Stags and aside of a convoy of Stags passing close to my village in the summer when I was out cycling I hadn't seen one in the flesh for years.


Hopefully someone near my reply to the thread.

Cheers again

Dave

[martin]

Dave, they vary enormously. Sometimes the problem is vagueness rather than too light, and this can be due to tracking errors, binding rack or strut bearings. Jack up the front and make sure it all turns freely with engine off. Then check/reset the tracking. If it still feels odd then try another rack.

While you're doing that, turn everything very slowly, or you'll empty the steering pump all over the ground - messy ! Martin.

[jpyke]

I had the same problem with mine. Sorting the tracking helped, as did replacing the lower ball joints. That got rid of the vagueness that chris (vmad) talks about, but the lightness is likely to be over assistance from the power assistance. This can be caused by the two roll pins that hold the torsion bar in the spool valve of the steering rack wearing. These can be replaced with solid hardened steel pins which brings a major improvement. With some care this could be a DIY job (the seal kits are available from the major suppliers) or you could have it done for you. I could be wrong, but I don't believe that most reconditioned racks would include this work, only changing the seals - which will prevent leaks but not cure over lightness. Shout if you want more pictures/ guidance.

[HashStag]

Cheers

Some checks and a few bits to try changing before it gets too expensive. I'm sure I'll be back for more advise.

It's great having all this knowledge and experience available


Dave

[Tony Triumph]

All this talk of a Stag's light steering is new to me ...... perhaps these racks are just well run in ! I had to have a recon rack fitted to my Stag to satisfy the MOT tester and the steering of this recon rack in my experience is very heavy indeed, in fact it feels as though it's just plain manual. I have much experience of driving Triumph 2500TC and PIs with and without power steering. My own perseption was that the power steering on my Stag was not working at all.
However, V Mad has road tested my Stag and says it is working ok, but at the heavy end of the Stag steering range. Provided I could get my car through the MOT test, I'd swap power racks with any of you boyz complaining about light steering !

[HashStag]

Haha,

Strange isn't it, heavy steering gets a mention in the Haynes manual, nothing about light steering though

Cheers

Dave

[Guest]

Hi Hashstag,I would also check that the vee belt driving the power steering pump is on the correct vee in the engine pulley.My stag power steering is far lighter than the modern cars.Also maybe the pump pulley has been altered to a larger one.
Regards, Anthony

[Guest]

I had the same issue as Tony Triumph when I fitted a new rack. It was really heavy and would not self centre. I think it was Vmad who recommended greasing it. This I did a couple of times and it has vastly improved, but still nowhere near as light as the old rack. I liked the light steering of the old one.

[StagnJag]

Hi,

Yesterday was the first dry day since I bought my Stag so I took it for a spin around some country lanes and was a bit concerned about how light the steering felt, far from sure footed. I'd only driven this car on a motorway before which was the trip home from my purchase when it was windy and wet so plenty of other things to concentrate on especially with a few electrical issues than manifested.

The lastest copy of Triumph World has a Stag buyers guide (wish I had this prior to my purchase) and it applauds the steering and handling. The car has a 12 month MOT for which new track rod ends were fitted.

I'm hoping it's just tracking but being a newbie in the Stag world is there any general advice on what I should check ?

Cheers

Dave

I am surprised at some of the replies above. The Stag has always had light steering. It was a frequent comment in magazine road test reports when the Stag was new. Your car is probably absolutely fine. As has been mentioned above, if you can, the best way to check is try out someone elses to compare.

I seem to recall a story where the steering on one brand new Stag was so over assisted that the wheels would turn on there own when the engine was first started! (Don't know how true that is mind!).

Rgds and Happy New Year,

Dave

[Dan stag]

Hi Hashstag, I'm not that close to you but am in Dorset (North) although I can't help you at this time as all my old girls front end is off and I'm in the process of renewing bushes, front struts and steering rack. You are welcome to take a look when finished. My steering was far from light it was the opposite, stiff and notchy hense the rebuild. Maybe we can get together in the future as I often take her down to the wonderful Dorset coast for a day out. PM me if you're up for a meet up. Just one thing to add this is my second Stag the first was 25 years ago. The steering on her was very light and easy to use almost to extent of being too light, it never really bothered me then as it felt like luxury compared to my old Cortina.