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Lack of feel in steering.

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Old 21-02-2009 | 02:33 PM
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Default Lack of feel in steering.

Hi!
I have too much clearance in steering wheel. When i turn steering wheel tires start to turn about after 20% steering wheel turned. Steering has no feel at all. I have noticed the joints in steering axle are pretty bad condition, too much clearance there too. Can i get those new anywhere today? How about steering rack, can it be broken.
This is not big thing, but i want rs turbo to steer sharply. Or.. is it normal ford? =D

Any tips?
Old 22-02-2009 | 12:40 PM
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It will be the knuckle joint you can see in this photo, but may as well change the bushes whilst you are there (worn bushes will give you up/down and left/right play in steering wheel).

Old 23-02-2009 | 08:04 AM
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Thanks Karlos..
how about the knuckle joint, i asked from Ford and they dont sell joints separately, only whole steering axle?
Old 23-02-2009 | 08:11 AM
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Maybe you will have to buy whole axle? I have only changed one on a Fiesta and the knuckle was seperate.
Old 06-03-2009 | 08:18 AM
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Anyone have ideas where can i buy that knuckle? 140Ł for the complete steering axle would be too much.
Old 06-03-2009 | 11:04 AM
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Originally Posted by Karlos G
It will be the knuckle joint you can see in this photo, but may as well change the bushes whilst you are there (worn bushes will give you up/down and left/right play in steering wheel).

ive been wondering what the random spring was that i found in my footwell when i stripped my steering column down

suppose i best fit that lol
Old 06-03-2009 | 03:58 PM
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lol
Old 07-03-2009 | 12:34 PM
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Or maybe steering rack is worn? I check German ebay and there is some patten steering racks available about 130€ / 115Ł.
The problem is, that when the car drives directly and little bit turn steering wheel nothing happens. Very bad to drive imo.
Old 07-03-2009 | 03:18 PM
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Originally Posted by RSandy
ive been wondering what the random spring was that i found in my footwell when i stripped my steering column down

suppose i best fit that lol

PMSL! how many times have we all been there poking round the interior or working on the engine and "ooh, theres a bolt left over, wonder where thats from"
Old 07-03-2009 | 05:24 PM
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lol how important is that spring? because when i didnt think i needed it, i knew exactly where it was. now i actually need it, iv lost it
Old 09-03-2009 | 07:36 AM
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Yesterday played with the car, and i noticed that when steering is in center position and i move steering wheel bit the steering racks make "klonk" noice. So i think the steering rack is busted.
Old 09-03-2009 | 05:38 PM
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ive had that same clnkng noise on my s1..it turned out to be steering rack..fitted new rack and track rod ends..cost Ł30 altogether from my local motor discount shop...there wass a surcharge on the rack but i got it back when i gave my old one back to the shop...
Old 22-04-2009 | 05:48 AM
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Hi again!
I bought new steering rack and the "dead zone" in the center is now gone. But i have problems still with steering. Steering dont "return" in the center at all when i drive it and it is something like shit when you drive it. Steering feels hard and definetely there is something wrong. I have been replacing those steering column bushes (which are in that karlos picture), is that possible that i have been assembled those parts wrong?
Old 22-04-2009 | 03:57 PM
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if you dont make sure the plastic bush is correcty lined before you tighten the steering wheel you will crush it..did this myself and when i turned the wheel, the car kept turning left/right until i straightened it up..really heavy to turn aswell.
Old 22-04-2009 | 04:36 PM
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Originally Posted by dangerousbrian
if you dont make sure the plastic bush is correcty lined before you tighten the steering wheel you will crush it..did this myself and when i turned the wheel, the car kept turning left/right until i straightened it up..really heavy to turn aswell.
Thanks for the reply

I get steering angled today and car still has that problem that if i turn wheel to right and let off the car goes in the right until i straight it.
Old 22-04-2009 | 05:44 PM
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have a look at the bottom of the column under the dash..there will be a spring with a plastic bush to go round it..i reckon you have crushed this..will have been at the wrong angle and not centralised...it needs to fit inside column support flush..other way to try it is loosen the steering wheel nut off as much as you can without steering wheel coming off..this will release some pressure on the bush..have a quick drive and if it feels better you will know the bush is the problem
Old 22-04-2009 | 07:27 PM
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Originally Posted by dangerousbrian
have a look at the bottom of the column under the dash..there will be a spring with a plastic bush to go round it..i reckon you have crushed this..will have been at the wrong angle and not centralised...it needs to fit inside column support flush..other way to try it is loosen the steering wheel nut off as much as you can without steering wheel coming off..this will release some pressure on the bush..have a quick drive and if it feels better you will know the bush is the problem
+1
Old 22-04-2009 | 07:33 PM
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yup, i ruined a new plastic bush by not aligning it correctly

casually tightening up the steering wheel blissfully unaware im fuckin up a brand new plastic bush lol

in the end iv refitted this set up about 3 or 4 times, due to breaking stuff, and also forgetting that spring
Old 22-04-2009 | 09:16 PM
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I will tomorrow test that i easen that steering wheel nut.
Old 25-04-2009 | 06:08 PM
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the steering on my S2 is a bit dodgy,you move the wheel and the car turns about 5 seconds later.all my anti-roll bar bushes look knackered so ive bought new pewerflex ones and the track control arm ones aswel,just not fitted them yet,waiting for a good day.cost 80 i think for all,i was hoping that would sort it.really hope i dont need a new column lol
Old 24-05-2009 | 02:33 PM
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Hi!

i dissemble my steering column and what ii found was that i had assembled it wrong.
Now i put parts as shown in that column picture and steering returns well and its light to drive.

Many thanks !
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