9 replies to this topic

[GottaDesigner]

Ok, Monty's developed another minor grumble... and while it's nothing ground shatteringly dangerous it's getting on my proverbial wick. Looks a little like this:

Monty stationary - Wheel straight.

Monty moving in straight line - Wheel leaning toward 2 o'clock, regardless how many times I adjust it with a big spanner.

He's not pulling in that direction though... Any ideas?

[icklemini]

regardless how many times I adjust it with a big spanner.

adjust what? - the wheel??

a few things here:
- The wheel should be on straight when the rack is centred. the alignment and geometry if correct would then leave the wheel straight...

- If it keeps moving, then check that the subframe isnt moving.., the steering rack u bolts are tight, the pinch bolt is tight and that the steering arms are tight too

hth,
Dave

[minislapper]

And don't drive the car again til you've solved the mystery because something is seriously amiss.

Check tower bolts and as Dave's suggested, check all bolts associated with the rack.

[GottaDesigner]

Dave - Yes, the steering wheel. - although it's not a 'big spanner' I use, it's actually a socket and a lot of elbow grease.

I had my mechanic mate look at the steering rack & gear a few months back when this problem first started appearing and he assured me that it was fine. How do I go about checking the subframe? *Has axle stands, jack and tools and doesn't have issues with getting grubby ^^ *

Could it be something like tracking being out (Dad's suggestion) or my new steering wheel being pants and it actually moving/not holding?

[GottaDesigner]

Right, well we had a mooch underneath last night with a little help from the lads at my local kwikfit and all the nuts/bolts etc I could get to seemed to be tighter than Gordon Brown's wallet and nothing's bent/damaged. Tracking checked and is fine (which puts paid to Dad's theory *smug* ) but to rule out anything I can't get to, we're going back to KF on Sunday to get things checked out properly.

(( *Is all the more smug for putting a would-be 40+ "boy-racer" with a Cosworth in his place by actually knowing what I'm talking about when it came to my car and getting stuck in with investigating*

I hate guys that judge girls like that... I used to write for Classic Car Mart & 4x4 Mart mags and have done one or two things for Minimag in my time too as well as a special feature on the history of the Mini for the BHam Eve Mail. So even if I'm not a true 'greasemonkey', I'm not mechanically ignorant about my car as many a local garage has found out. ))

Edited by GottaDesigner, 09 June 2007 - 11:23 PM.

[1984mini25]

While you were checking all the nuts/bolts wee tight, did you happen to pull up the front carpet and check the steering rack u bolts? As if they are even the slightest bit lose the whole rack moves from side to side and will obviously knock the steering wheel out.

[GottaDesigner]

While you were checking all the nuts/bolts wee tight, did you happen to pull up the front carpet and check the steering rack u bolts? As if they are even the slightest bit lose the whole rack moves from side to side and will obviously knock the steering wheel out.

No, but then as I said AFAIK they're fine. I've not long (within last 4 weeks) been doing a lot of work on the floor area prior to recarpetting and they were fine then. Won't kill to have another look tomorrow all the same... then me and my 'tamed' mechanics can take a look at other stuff that could be causing it. I'd really rather not mess with my car in plain site of the natives here. They've done him enough damage already.

Knowing my luck it's something stupid like the new wheel itself's rubbish and therefor not holding properly as I know I didn't have this problem with the original one. It was as straight as a die.

[minidan]

yea if everything's tight then it sounds to me like you have a dodgy steering wheel. it could just be slipping on the splines.

[Phaeton]

Get somebody to hold the drivers wheel, then gentle turn the steering wheel from side to side & see if the movement is felt immediately at the drivers wheel which it should, then repaet on passenger side. If it doesn't then track down the play, logical ones are loose U-bolts, worn steering rack, knackered track rod ends, could also be the splines in the steering wheel boss & possibly but unlikely to be splines on end of steering coloum.

Alan...

[GottaDesigner]

Checked everything from stem to stern today.... the only thing we found was that the column was a little off-centre. That being corrected and the steering wheel realigned, we went for a trip around the block and the wheel went west again. So, dodgy wheel slipping on splines it likely is then. *Sigh* Guess I'll have to live with it until I come across another one. Guess what I'm going to be hunting down next Sunday at Cannon Hill...heh.

Well, at least I know it's nothing disasterous.

Edited by GottaDesigner, 10 June 2007 - 10:36 PM.