Rob Patching Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 This morning on the way to work I turned left at a junction. as i centred the wheel, it suddenly became VERY heavy. Luckily I was only doing about 15mph (it was a 90 degree junction), so I was able to straighten the wheel by pulling very hard. It then loosened up and felt normal, I weaved up the road abit and the steering reacted exactly as expected. I pulled over and had a look and couldnt see anything obvious. I continued (carefully!) and the same thing happened a few miles later, this time on a large motorway island (so right hander), with only a small turn of the wheel it again became very stiff. I forced the wheel back straight when exiting the island and all felt normal again. In the car park at work I've done alot of lock-to-lock turning and it all feels completly normal. Other than jack it up and check nothing's loose, what else can I look at? YN08 RNX Viper Blue 1.6 K series Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team Mcalvert Posted May 26, 2010 Leadership Team Share Posted May 26, 2010 Sounds silly but are you sure you haven't left any tools by the bulkhead? I had exactly this when I was interrupted putting the car away after doing some work. I had left a stubby screwdriver under the bonnet which was just the right size to block the upper steering column until I forced it out, but of course rolled back in again to block it again later. Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 Was it very hot? There has been a thread recently, and I experienced it on the motorway last week, where the steering went heavy due to heat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 I would jack it up and check all rod ends and wheel bearings. Turn it from lock to lock when wheels in the air. Check tyre pressures. Top bush in dash can get sticky but normally when hot. Perhaps spray into top of that too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie_pank Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 I had exactly this problem a few years ago. Was feeling flush at the time so replaced the steering rack and the problem never came back. So my guess is it's something in side the rack. Do make sure that the clamp on the telescopic part of the steering column is tight as it's an easy fix! back here because I want to be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alextangent Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 I had a very similar thing wot 'appened to me before an MOT. Very stiff steering, low speed, steering weighed a ton, intermittent. At first I thought it was the rack or a trunnion or the top link. The MOT garage identified the problem; a track rod end that looked like half a builder's yard had crawled in under the rubber, and corrosion on the bearing surfaces. It was sticking (almost locking) in a "rolled back" position, presumably after compression on cornering. Worth checking? Alex McDonald Loud, louder, loudest... 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Patching Posted May 26, 2010 Author Share Posted May 26, 2010 thanks guys, going to get it jacked up on my lunch and will report back! YN08 RNX Viper Blue 1.6 K series Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Patching Posted May 26, 2010 Author Share Posted May 26, 2010 well... and I feel like an idiot even typing this! As soon as I removed the bonnet, the problem was obvious: A pair of pliers left behind the pedal box where the upper column clamps to the lower! 😳 😳 😳 😳 *eek* *eek* The rubber handles of the pliers are all mangled where the clamp has been forced over them! Feel very stupid, but very lucky, could have been much worse! And I'm always so careful to check for tools before putting the bonnet back on, well obviously not quite always! YN08 RNX Viper Blue 1.6 K series Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative gileshudson Posted May 26, 2010 Area Representative Share Posted May 26, 2010 Well guessed Michael Mcalvert . . . but glad you're sorted now Rob 😬 Giles Beryl the Peril (HPC) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James_Russell Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 Cheapest Caterham 'fix' ever? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 .... And luckiest escape ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
u01rsb Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 It isn't too suprising the cheapest Caterham fix ever was in Yorkshire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger King Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 That sort of thing is a damn site more serious in an aeroplane. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EFA Posted May 27, 2010 Share Posted May 27, 2010 I've done this once too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irrelevant Posted May 27, 2010 Share Posted May 27, 2010 That sort of thing is a damn site more serious in an aeroplane. Mate of mine in the RAF told me FOD (foreign object debris - they need an acronym for everything) is the biggest cause of shunts after pilot error. I hope none of you bodgers work on aircraft Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caterhamnut Posted May 27, 2010 Share Posted May 27, 2010 We were driving in convoy with Peter C years back, and a massive 'clonk' from his car caused concern (and a stop!) - all was solved as we removed the (spare) dry-cell battery that have been left in and had fallen from where-ever it had been hiding onto the chassis! Angus's Adventures in Sevenland Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Brown Posted May 27, 2010 Share Posted May 27, 2010 Friend's mother phoned her husband, who was sales manager of a large Ford garage, to say terrible clonking from under the car. He told her not to drive and sent out a mechanic who found a tin of soup under her seat, rolling back and forward with breaking and acceleration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jakeandlizzy Posted May 28, 2010 Share Posted May 28, 2010 Done the same thing...almost killed myself at first roundabout when steering locked 1/4 way through the turn due to spanner left under the bonnet ...got to remember to be patient and ensure all tools are accounted for before heading out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick Day Posted May 28, 2010 Share Posted May 28, 2010 Mine wasn't a spanner but my very expensive (£2.50!) pair of reading glasses. They didn't break only chipped a lens. They lived on for a few more years until I stood on them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Mears Posted May 28, 2010 Share Posted May 28, 2010 Ford at Wimbledon kindly donated a snap on 16-17mm ring spanner a few years back. Left it on an undertray, still use today 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Ford Posted May 28, 2010 Share Posted May 28, 2010 Caught my "underbonnet tool kit" moment on video while testing out my new video camera - here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EFA Posted May 28, 2010 Share Posted May 28, 2010 Roger wins the award for largest ever rear view mirror. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now