18 replies to this topic

[Mrt88]

Hi All.

So I have a bit of an issue with my mini steering.

My steering wheel would sometimes go from 6 o'clock to just about 5 o'clock or 7 o'clock depending on the directions im traveling it.

So after noticing my steering was slightly off I got my car tracked. But my issue have come back. Seams to me that if I chuck the car into a corner the wheel will be slightly off in that direction afterwards. Its not massively off but its noticeable.

I don't really want to drive till I can get this sorted but IM at a loss as to what I should check first.

Any ideas ? So far ive had a look and there is no play in my wheels top to bottom, ball joints are solid and feel good.

Any help would be amazing.

Thank you all

T

 

[nicklouse]

Either loose mounting brackets or stripped Splines on th steering colum.

[panky]

Check the pinch bolt at the bottom of the steering column right where it meet the floor. It sounds like its either loose or the splines have worn - please don't drive it as it is.

[Mrt88]

Thanks for the reply guys.

 

The cars 100% parked till i know i have this sorted. Its not safe to drive for now. I'll try tighten up the bolts and go from there. How can i tell if the splines have worn ?

Edited by Mrt88, 02 May 2017 - 09:02 PM.

[panky]

If the pinch bolt has been loose then the column will have been moving ever so slightly, possibly for years, until eventually the splines wear enough to slip or the column might pull up off the splines on the rack. Should be check regularly along with the mounting brackets for tightness.

Edited by panky, 02 May 2017 - 09:08 PM.

[Rapidmini59]

possibly splines on column to rack.

Edited by Rapidmini59, 02 May 2017 - 09:34 PM.

[minifreek1]

Sounds to me like the steering rack has come loose....

[Northernpower]

Sounds like the steering rack u bolts to me.

[CityEPete]

Yep U bolts

[Spider]

As the other guys have suggested, check the U bolts for tightness first, however, if you still have any doubts;-

 

 How can i tell if the splines have worn ?

 

Being what it is, I will suggest in strong terms there are no short cuts here.

 

Best to spend a little time and remove the column for a proper inspection.

 

Then on refitting, whether this column or a replacement one, re-align the rack to the column.
 

[mk3 Cooper S]

Sounds like rack U bolts but along with the pinch bolt end don't rule out the steering wheel end of the column and worn spline there too

[Mrt88]

Thank you so much for the info guys. I'll check it tomorrow. I am rule out the steering wheeel end of the column. I had a good look at that last week and it has no wear on it.
I'll grab my Haynes tomorrow from the garage to find them but where are the U bolts located ?

[Northernpower]

If you lift the carpet you'll see the two nut heads sat vertically on the toe board.

[CobraV8]

If you lift the carpet you'll see the two nut heads sat vertically on the toe board.

2 on each side of the car. Just to the left of the clutch pedal, and on the other side.

[CobraV8]

You should be able to jiggle the steering wheel left and right slightly and see where the slop is, follow from the steering wheel down and look at each join, see that each half moves together.

Edited by CobraV8, 03 May 2017 - 08:22 AM.