Unusual Steering Sensation

[V Mad]

I drove a members car yesterday, as he had mentioned that the car didnt seem to handle well. After a short drive, I noticed that the steering was exceptionally light even for a Stag. When you turned a corner, is seemed as though the car was over steering, and also had no centering action. The car has been rebushed with poly bushes, so suspension should be OK.

I pondered on what might be the cause of this, could it have an early 'low geared' rack? Is the damper spring missing? Any other ideas?

[chopperman]

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Mine was a bit like this, wandering and seemingly going where it wanted to, rather than where I wanted it to go!.

I found that I had 5 deg toe out instead of 0-1.5 deg toe in. After adjustment at my local tyre supplier using their laser kit, it was fine.

Keith

[GDPR]

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I agree - tracking can hugely affect steering effort on Stags - had mine redone after new track rod ends, and it was totally different behaviour

[Stag Andy]

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Usually an over light rack is caused by an internal failure of the seals within the rack,a replacement would be best i reckon

[Giles]

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Definitelycheck the tracking first - this will affect the steering and handling but a failed rack will make the steering go light- getting the tracking checked is a lot cheaper though!

[nojackshaft]

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My Stag's steering is also uncomfortably light so I was interested in your comment that a worn rack causes this. I can't work out how this can happen as I imagined that worn seals would allow fluid by-pass and therefore make the steering heavier. Your thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated. My steering wheel has about one inch of free movement with no wear in track rod ends or rack joints.

Regards,

nojackshaft

[andy p]

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mine is also light, must compare it to a few others over the weekend.

[redstag]

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Mine used to be really light and I thought that was normal. You could spin the wheel with the car parked with virtually no effort.

I replaced it a few years ago with a low mileage rack I had stashed away 20 years ago and it is completely different with a much heavier feel.



Pete

[GDPR]

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nojackshaft wrote:

My steering wheel has about one inch of free movement with no wear in track rod ends or rack joints.

That's an awful lot of free movement...... mine was zero, but after 15000 odd miles is now about 1/8"

You might want to try adjusting the damper down and meshing the rack in a bit more...