Sticky steering seems to have been solved!

[mjheathcote]

I've suffered for a number of years with 'sticky' 'knotchy' steering.

You can be driving along and the slight corrections can result in a 'resistance' that you have to apply additional steeringforce to correct. Almost like the steering is hitting an obstruction at times. Most annoying & unpleasurable!

I have read about this problem before, some members have replaced the pump, others the rack, with no or little change.

For some reason on saturday morning I had my can of WD40 in my hand with the bonnet openand I decided to spray the steering rod UJ's.

The sticky knotchy steering immediately disappeared! I don't know for how long, but its been smooth for the last 250 miles now The UJ's must simply have dried out. Are they serviceable?

Cheers,

Mike.

[stagmuffin]

imported post

hi mike, many many moons ago suffered a problem like yours and was rebuilding but u/js seemed stiff i heated some new engine oil on a camping stove in a deep round tin and immersed joints .every so often took out and wiggled around (gloves) refitted and perfect ever since.looking at joints i would think it would be a machine shop exercise to overhaul. cheers steve.

[GDPR]

imported post

The old fashioned motorbike chain grease that you heated in the can on the stove and dumped the chain in, is what I used to use years ago....just pop the joint into the melted grease and leave it cooking lightly for 1/2 an hour on my Dolomite short shafts

I would use a bit of LM in the same way - although if the chain grease is still available from a local motorbike emporium, it works very well as it's formulated to penetrate the rollers, so gets right into the UJs........

Russ:dude:

[Kevin Garrod]

imported post

Chain grease comes in an aerosol nowadays Russ, get with it

[GDPR]

imported post

Doesn't penetrate in the same way though Kevin - sometimes the old ways are the best

Russ:dude:

[Kevin Garrod]

imported post

Agreed!

When I replaced my steering shaft recently ( you may remember I had issues with the exhaust manifold) the replacement was a bit stiff...alright seized solid, but I was able to free it up after soaking overnight in penetrating oil. Now I will give it regular doses of chain oil in situ, but if it needs to come off again maybe I would try the old way

[mjheathcote]

imported post

Another job for the winter me thinks for a more long term solution. I'm just glad I have found the solution