Heavy to steer right (only)

[stiglet]

To me, it sounds like the rack is almost definately at fault. But I don't really know much about how the rack works internally to say what could cause this. It sounds like whatever mechanism is unique to steer that one way has failed inside the rack, like a seal on one side or something. Or possibly a load sensor?

Wierd problem though!

[Andreas]

Hmm.. yeah.. I'm starting to get to that conclusion too.. I think that the sound of air-escaping somewhere behind the steering column also points to that a fact..

I'm thinking that it's some kind of internal leak/o-ring problem but I'm guessing that there is no chance in hell that I can manage to do that in place? (find what o-ring is causing this and replace it?)

And furthermore, I think that I've read on here that although the rack is serviceable that they usually can't be trusted after the refurb anyways? so I might just pospone the problem?

Also, the ABY/ABU rack is servotronic-less (already unplugged since -06) and has a lower ratio (or lower rate of turns to make it end-to-end) which is.. better? for the general feel of steering?


All in all, I should just get on with the extraction of the old rack and plant the ABY rack in there.. shouldn't I?

[s2driveruk]

mine is definately noisier since i replaced my servotronic rack with an ADU/ABY version. It 'moans' more on turning but i forget which direction at the moment. Despite trying to bleed the circuit by turning multiple times lock to lock, i think i have an airlock somewhere. Did you prime the rack with fluid before you reconnected the p/s lines to the rack again? I had all the hydraulic lines rebuilt by a specialist too and I can't rule out a restrictor problem but the circuit itself is fine, i.e. no obvious leaks.

Of course it could be the pump on the go if its not pushing enough fluid or providing enough pressure - i think that has part of the problem with mine but not sure the best way to test and eliminate.

Can definately confirm that the steering feel is better on the adu/aby rack than the 3b version

[Andreas]

should I test switching pumps first? I could do that today as I have another PAS pump free and clear on the shelf.. or should I just get my rack-switching on?

[s2_bo]

Hard to know on this one. It sounds like the rack but for the sake of a couple of hours changing the pump it might well be worth it just to see.

The rack is such a big job to remove that any other option sounds better to me.

There is a thread on here from 4wheeldrifter that explains and shows how to recondition a steering rack. Maybe take a look at that.

When you hear air leaking, could it be fluid? Has the fluid level gone down at all?


Good luck.

[Andreas]

The wierd thing is that no fluid is missing.. what I hear should then just be air? w-t-f? <:

Yeah.. I'll let ya know the progress.. I f-u-c-k-i-n-g hate this as the car runs SOOOOOOO good, it sounds SOOOOOOO good >:

[stiglet]

The sound you're hearing is possibly not air but fluid being recirculated back to the resevoir, like it does when you hit full lock.

[Andreas]

aah, that may be the case.. but I hear it when ever I steer right and hold on a bit (not letting it reverse like it wants to).. I dont have to be anywhere NEAR full lock to the right.. I can be at dead center and turn a bit right and hold..

I was just thinking.. can I be so lucky that it is the adjustment bolt leaking? just a quick thought after reading 4wheeldrifter's thread: http://www.s2forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=25808


Also read alex's thread and trying to figure out from what car to get another rack (as I'll be needing one for the sedan as I now steal it for my coupe): http://www.s2forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36892

[stiglet]

It sounds like it's doing whatever the rack does when it reaches full lock, bleeds the fluid past a pressure relief valve or something and you get no pressure on the hydraulics.

[Andreas]

This pressure release valve.. where is it? can it be refurbed (new o-ring or whatever) without removing the rack from the car?


Otherwise it seems like it would be worth it to replace the 3b rack with the ABY/ADU-one I happen to have.. to get a better feel from the steering and remove the servotronic all together?

[s2_bo]

No way you can recondition the rack in situ.

Have a look at this thread to see whats involved.

[s2_bo]

Is it maybe that you need to adjust the preload on the rack?
Like in this picture:


That bolt is only half way out because the rack was being rebuilt. It would sit all the way in.

[stiglet]

Would that effect it going only one way?

[s2_bo]

No idea, but maybe worth a try, could be that its set way to high and that some of the washers on the pressure release valve are gone.

Just a thought but worth a try.

[stiglet]

Definately worth a try. I can't imagine the rack being easy to take out!