Steering question?

3 replies [Last post]
Mon, 05/10/2009 - 07:34
w4hsa
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Location: Rutland

Did an off-road day yesterday and noticed that when running on hard rutted ground the steering seems to knock as if there is some play somewhere?

I changed my lower steering column six months back (for a known good one - which I stripped and applied new graphite lubrication to the joints).

I don't think I have any ball joint problems or steering arm play so am wondering if the steering damper could be causing this?

There is absolutly no sign of this when on the road.

your thoughts please.

Andy

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Mon, 05/10/2009 - 09:19
#1
Jdring
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Location: South of Oxford, UK. 87' 230GE SWB Manual, 89' 230GE SWB Auto, 2012 G350Bluetec LWB
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Re: Steering question?

Could be play in worn rubber bushes, such as on the anti-roll bar which is taking a lot of stick off road. Its the sort of thing that can be spotted up on a ramp with the weight off the wheels.

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Tue, 06/10/2009 - 12:52
#2
Pistonhead
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Location: Loughborough
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Re: Steering question?

w4hsa wrote:
Did an off-road day yesterday and noticed that when running on hard rutted ground the steering seems to knock as if there is some play somewhere?

I changed my lower steering column six months back (for a known good one - which I stripped and applied new graphite lubrication to the joints).

your thoughts please.

Andy

Andy, it sounds as though you may need to strip down again, to grease the columb with thicker grease, if possible, with a silicone type. The slide joint may have squeezed your grease from your last effort, out.

If the noise is not present on Road, leave it, that unless, you do a fair amount of off roading. Check the anti-roll bar brackets as well, but the noise heard with this, is not the steering, instead it is from the side or foot well area.

Cheers,

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Tue, 06/10/2009 - 13:06
#3
w4hsa
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Joined: 28.02.2005
Location: Rutland
Re: Steering question?

thanks for your help everyone.

Given that I replaced the bottom shaft and the two joints and it was the same as the old one (knocking while off road - fine on road)

Is there anywhere else I need to be looking? Column mount on bulkhead of anything like that?

Play at the steering wheel (with engine running) is about 8-10mm - is this about right?

What about steering bix play?

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