AU 1 Steering issues.

TK-421 · 29-12-2014, 11:36 PM

Hello. i have just renewed the steering rack with a recoed one plus new sway bar links and tie rod ends. the steering now feels light and wont return to straight without assistance. i havent done an alignment yet but by eye the wheels dont seem miles out of straight. just wondering if anyone has had these issues?

thanks.

Bourbon Ute · 30-12-2014, 12:58 AM

Get an alignment first.
There's no point going any further until you get this done.

Spurious · 30-12-2014, 06:56 PM

Believe it or not, you can do your own wheel alignment at home.
It's bit time consuming but for the budget conscious folk here's how...

The 2 methods I use are to use a long (at least 3.5 metres) straight edge, a bit of tube steel or a straight broom handle perhaps, sit it across the wheels, length ways along the body & level with the centre hub, one at a time with the steering wheel centred.

Have most of the length of the straight edge you're using parallel with the front doors.
When the straight edge sits at the same distance from the body work on both sides of the car, then wheels are virtually straight.

The 2'nd method I employ to double check is use a humble bit of nylon fishing line with a ball sinker on one end. Similar to a plumbob used by the tradies.

Hold the line against the wheel arch & allow the sinker to hover against the tyre, again about the level of the centre hub.
Do this at the front of the rim & then at the rear, as long as both front tyres sit in the same position compared to the guards, the wheels are pretty much spot on!

This method can also be used to test the camber angle. Just allow the sinker to sit level with the base of the tyre (ground level), do this on both front wheels & see if there's a difference.

Spurious · 30-12-2014, 07:20 PM

FYI, the steering in my AU2 doesn't entirely centre by itself either.

I think this is a trait more associated with a vehicle that has a steering box as opposed to a rack & pinion setup.

TK-421 · 31-12-2014, 12:58 PM

had
a wheel alignment at Jax today. the car now drives fine but the grinding noise is still there, in either the column or intermediate shaft. Do au upper steering columns have a bearing that the noise could be emanating from?

thanks for your replies

mik · 31-12-2014, 06:04 PM

ive just done my rack and steering shaft and outer tie rod ends, no alignment as yet, feels nice though and no noise,
there is a bearing that sits in the plate that the steering goes through on the firewall, mine was still good, but did sound like it was getting a bit light on lubrication, mines a s2, so a couple of years older it might be getting a bit tired and be that noisy bearing ?
if you can get somebody to give the steering a bit of lock to lock while you put your finger on the steering shaft , or the plate , it might make itself known where the problem is, im not sure about higher in the column..
Are you sure its not the pump having a whinge(making noise) because it has air in it ???
after recoing my first rack some years ago, i found it was a little tight and took a few weeks to loosen up before it would self centre again.

TK-421 · 31-12-2014, 06:38 PM

Some good suggestions there mik, i will have a look over the next few days.

TK-421 · 31-12-2014, 07:56 PM

mik · 31-12-2014, 10:27 PM

very nice example you have there Intechau, let us know how you go.

**GasoLane** · 05-01-2015, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlivverFord

FYI, the steering in my AU2 doesn't entirely centre by itself either.

I think this is a trait more associated with a vehicle that has a steering box as opposed to a rack & pinion setup.

Doubtful, my 20 year old XG ute straightens up nicely with no help.

SILENT_RAPTOR · 08-01-2015, 02:49 AM

Just thought id ask, but can the intermediate shaft be reconditioned?

TK-421 · 08-01-2015, 06:28 AM

I called a uni joint specialist in $ydney and they said no. Try a wrecker.