Steering heavy to the left.

Tom Sleigh

Member

Posts

55

Location

Avon, Bristol

• Oct 29, 2020

• #1

Hi all,

I have a bit of a mystery that I can't find an answer to on Google.

Scenario: parking stationary

- Turning to the right, the steering is lovely an light.

- Turning to the left is like I have no power assist at all and the steering springs back.

This is an issue while driving too. My initial thought is it could be the damper as it's compressed when to the left but can't imagine it ever causing an issue where it needs that much force?

I have no clue how the gubbins in the steering box work so was wondering if someone could offer some advice on how I eliminate possible causes?

Thanks

 

Flossie

Well-Known Member

Posts

10,962

Location

Shropshire

• Oct 29, 2020

• #2

What's it like engine off front wheels off the ground?

 

Tom Sleigh

Member

Posts

55

Location

Avon, Bristol

• Oct 29, 2020

• #3

Hi Flossie,

Unfortunately it's still tough to turn left. It feels like I'm compressing air or fluid which causes it to bounce back.

I wanted this video (link below), it mentions a valve that moves fluid to each side depending on what direction you turn.

Is there a valve and can get get blocked up with rust/crud or old fluid?

 

Flossie

Well-Known Member

Posts

10,962

Location

Shropshire

• Oct 29, 2020

• #4

Sorry, I know nowt about how they work.
Next step is to remove the damper and try again.

 

Flossie

Well-Known Member

Posts

10,962

Location

Shropshire

• Oct 29, 2020

• #5

Then disconnect the drop arm from the steering linkage and try again.

 

Tom Sleigh

Member

Posts

55

Location

Avon, Bristol

• Oct 29, 2020

• #6

So the car has been sitting for 10 months. I took the lid off the reservoir and gave the car 1/3rd throttle in neutral and went lock to lock about 20 times. And it cleared up turn by turn. Not sure what that means. Hopefully with use it continues to work ok.

 

tottot

Well-Known Member

Posts

8,001

Location

west wales coast

• Oct 29, 2020

• #7

The valve on a box I had failed resulting in it being very easy to turn [ both ways ] even at a standstill wheel could be spun with one finger.
It was nice at slow speed or off road but plain dangerous otherwise.

 

Last edited: Oct 30, 2020

Tom Sleigh

Member

Posts

55

Location

Avon, Bristol

• Oct 29, 2020

• #8

tottot said:

The valve on a box I had failed resulting in it being very easy to turn [ both ways ] even at a standstill wheel could be spun with one finger.
It was nice at slow speed or off road but plain dangerous.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the heads up. That's sort of what mine was feeling like. I'm gunna keep and eye on it. If it returns I'm going to look at replacing it.