Ols Posted May 30, 2017 Share Posted May 30, 2017 Hi all. Just trying to track down source of sticky steering on my 97 vx. I have the uj off and it's pretty stiff, but I'm not sure if it's supposed to be - anyone have experience of stiffness in this area? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted May 30, 2017 Member Share Posted May 30, 2017 Can you add a photo to show the type? Or link to a video of it being manipulated?Has it got stiffer recently? Any impacts?Does it unstiffen with grease?...And with the front jacked up and the UJ out does the rest of the steering move smoothly across the whole of its excursion?...Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ols Posted May 30, 2017 Author Share Posted May 30, 2017 Good idea - I'll have a go at posting some pics later. It's been stiff (heavy with limited self-cente) for a while but has worsened noticeably. No impacts. just tried the steering with the uj disconnected and it's better but not great - guess I'll have to look at the rack next..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Paul Richards Posted May 30, 2017 Area Representative Share Posted May 30, 2017 Could be the spherical bearings that form the bottom ball joints. Try lubricating with a drop of thin oil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted May 30, 2017 Share Posted May 30, 2017 Or lack of lubrication in the rack ? Or pre-load adjusting screw in top of rack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bricol Posted May 30, 2017 Share Posted May 30, 2017 I've had a UJ fail and become so stiff you could set the desired steering angle, let go, and it'd stick there.And a lack of lube in the rack do similar.Unlikely to be the upright bottom joints - the mechanical advantage over those is quite high - plus ptfe lined, so should remain pretty slippy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ols Posted May 30, 2017 Author Share Posted May 30, 2017 there's the UJ - its noticeably stiffer in one plane than the other, despite a soak in silicone lube, but it looks like i've got some other investigations to carry out ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Paul Richards Posted May 31, 2017 Area Representative Share Posted May 31, 2017 "Unlikely to be the upright bottom joints - the mechanical advantage over those is quite high - plus ptfe lined, so should remain pretty slippy"Bricol. I hear what you say, but I speak from experience. It has happened. Surprising I know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnpbransfield Posted May 31, 2017 Share Posted May 31, 2017 Re Paul Richards comment. I had the same problem....cured immediately with a drop of oil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bricol Posted May 31, 2017 Share Posted May 31, 2017 I'm surprised - mine are 16yrs old (same as car) and are fine - used a lot in all weathers. I'd be wary of adding oil for fear of making grinding paste with road dust, but if it works ;-)I'd try something other than silicone lube on that UJ - some good old multi-grade GTX maybe.I added a hint of heavy duty shockproof oil to my rack when I noticed it was bone dry - still seems free enough several years later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ols Posted June 2, 2017 Author Share Posted June 2, 2017 Dear all, thanks for suggestions. Shiny new uj arrived from caterham - much smoother action than the old one, so hopefully that's the culprit.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted June 3, 2017 Member Share Posted June 3, 2017 I'd try something other than silicone lube on that UJ - some good old multi-grade GTX maybe.Agreed: you need something that's going to hang around in there.Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ols Posted June 4, 2017 Author Share Posted June 4, 2017 Shiny new UJ now fitted and steering much improved. I think i need to adjust out some play in the rack [sounds like a tedious job] but steering is now much lighter and self centering has returned. Tried some oil on the old uj but no improvement - I've left it soaking to see if it would come back to life. Also put a little oil on the spherical joints ( but as suggested, was a bit worried about encouraging the grot to stick to the bearing surface.Thanks all :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted June 4, 2017 Member Share Posted June 4, 2017 Tried some oil on the old uj but no improvement - I've left it soaking to see if it would come back to life.Good idea. If it doesn't free up after that how about cutting through both joints and looking for corrosion?Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ols Posted June 9, 2017 Author Share Posted June 9, 2017 Had a closer look at the old uj - the rubber "cush" parts appear a little cracked, dried and generally cooked compared to the new one - anyway it hasn't come back to life after a good soak. Thanks again for suggestions Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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