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        General >> Problems >> steering wander
        
(Message started by: big_timer on Apr 16^th, 2009, 11:53am)

Title: steering wander
Post by big_timer on Apr 16^th, 2009, 11:53am

hiya
my scorp is wandering to the left quite sharply.you have to keep the weight on the right hand side of the steering wheel to correct it.i had the tracking done today and they said it wasnt that bad.the car was hit (not that that bad )on the left front and since then the wandering started.the readings are as follows.

previous final
total toe lh rh lh rh
+00.22 +00.38

half toe +00.05 +00.17 +00.16 +00.22

camber -00.42 -01.11 +00.42 -01.09

does the scorp need to be off-set any or have i done other damage like bent wishbonebushes, trackrods etc.
any help would be greatly appreciated

atb

Title: Re: steering wander
Post by scorpio_man on Apr 16^th, 2009, 12:30pm

hi there

i'd say you had a sticking front calliper. that's where i'd look first. that fact you need to hold it, IMO, is too much for the alignment to be out. you'd eat your front tyres in no time.

if the wishbones (normally it's the ball joint that does it) where gone, it would pull gently to one side with your hands off the wheel. a tell tale sign is that you can't align the wheels correctly. it will set up fine in the garage, but on the road, it will still gently pull to one side.

hth

Title: Re: steering wander
Post by python9 on Apr 16^th, 2009, 1:28pm

i would agree with scorpio man and say it most likely be the caliper is sticking as when my offside wishbone went it did'nt pull to one side when you brake does the stearing wheel wobble at any speed

Title: Re: steering wander
Post by big_timer on Apr 16^th, 2009, 1:28pm

thanks scorpio man
the chap at the alignment place says that everything was perfect to the rear wheels and that all bushes and joints were spot on (in fact he commented on the condition of the car).ill have a go at the front calipers.when braking it does pull to the left quite amorously.in fact ill put a new set of front pads in shortly.
thanks again

Title: Re: steering wander
Post by big_timer on Apr 16^th, 2009, 2:37pm

thanks python theres a slight wobble nothing major.would it be worthwhile changing discs too

Title: Re: steering wander
Post by Nunnspoet on Apr 16^th, 2009, 6:02pm

Hi big timer :)

Some time back I had the tracking done by professionals. Before she had this done the steering wheel stayed perfectly in the straight ahead position, after the work had been done she pulled to the left strongly and when driving in a straight line I had to pull down on the right of the steering wheel quite strongly in order to keep her in a straight line. I had a hard time getting the professional to re-set the steering with the steering wheel clamped in the horizontal plane but he did eventually do this and now I have no problems at all ;D

I now buy my tyres from National Tyres in Taunton and have the tracking done at the same time and they always clamp the steering wheel before they start.

I hope this helps

Mike

Title: Re: steering wander
Post by big_timer on Apr 16^th, 2009, 7:09pm

thanks nunnsy
im gonna change the front pads on sunday and check the calipers.if theyre ok ill ring the alignment centre and ask for it to be redone clamping the steering wheel.
i love these cars
thanks again

Title: Re: steering wander
Post by Simmo on Apr 16^th, 2009, 8:28pm

The first thing that is normally done is to set the steering wheel 'square' and clamp it BEFORE doing anything!.

Title: Re: steering wander
Post by Jonnycab on Apr 17^th, 2009, 1:02am

Have you checked that the tyre has the correct pressure or is not unevenly worn across the tread ? :)

Title: Re: steering wander
Post by big_timer on Apr 17^th, 2009, 5:44am

the tyres seem to be wearing ok.theres no baldy spots on outside or inside of the tyre.i usually inflate to 30-32 bar

Title: Re: steering wander
Post by gozz on Apr 17^th, 2009, 6:53pm

They must be mighty strong tyres ;D 560 psi ?
GOZZ.

Title: Re: steering wander
Post by big_timer on Apr 17^th, 2009, 6:56pm

under further investigation there is wear on theoutside edge of the n/s tyre.i have changed the front pads in case of caliper stick but that was free as a bird.i have swapped front and rear tyres just in case it was the tyre itself all to no avail.the car is still wandering to the left.i have rang up the centre and they are going to re-exam the alignment.anything else i need to do?
atb

Title: Re: steering wander
Post by big_timer on Apr 17^th, 2009, 7:01pm

sorry gozz about the over pressure statement.i must have meant 30-32 p.s.i.imaybe thats why its pulling to 1 side lol

Title: Re: steering wander
Post by Highlander on Apr 17^th, 2009, 8:33pm

When you were hit did you have to change a tyre?
are they all the same size? it happens! ;)

Although you say its the same with the front and rear swapped over.

broken spring? shock? droplinks? wheel bearing? steering rack? warped N/S disc?

cant be much, just finding it is the problem :)

Title: Re: steering wander
Post by scorpio_man on Apr 17^th, 2009, 8:36pm

hi there

starting to sound like the ball joint on the wishbone is gone. :(

let us know how you get on.

Title: Re: steering wander
Post by big_timer on Apr 17^th, 2009, 9:46pm

i gave the ball joints a good levering with my trusty 2ft earth spike(used for earthing houses )around that area and everything seems nice and tight.
when i was hit it was around the front n/s corner,all i had to do was change the n/s headlight lens and apart from a 2'' srape/ding on the wing that was the extent of the damage.
surely the lower ball joint wouldnt give that prob would it,scorpio man?ive drove other cars when the ball joints have went and they didnt seem to cause this prob.saying that this is a scorpio and these things are sent to try us.
ill get it in the end,i just hope its not gonna cost too much more
thanks again lads for your rapid responses
atb

Title: Re: steering wander
Post by scorpio_man on Apr 17^th, 2009, 10:11pm

hi there

the whole wishbone part shouldn't move at all. that's where the big difference in 'feel' between the scorpio and the granada is.

if it is the ball joint, the alignment reading will move about the place or will be spot on when tracking it, but on the road it will move about. that's the joy of the scorpio! :)

Title: Re: steering wander
Post by big_timer on Apr 20^th, 2009, 10:21am

went down to the alignmrnt centre this fine morn and alas! the tracking WAS off.the lad set it up again and this time he set it to perfection.my beautiful lady is back to her glorious best.
thanks all for your quick responses and assistance.you all are fantastic.
atb

Title: Re: steering wander
Post by Nunnspoet on Apr 20^th, 2009, 12:42pm

;D ;D ;D ;D Great news . I for one am really pleased that you are all sorted

Mike :)

Title: Re: steering wander
Post by big_timer on Apr 22^nd, 2009, 10:40am

thanks all for there support and advice