What can cause a very light steering feel?

[A80Avant]

Can it be a steering rack problem?
Suspension problem?

History:
Pro mounts,
bilstein shocks and stock springs,
oem steering rack.
Single vane steering pump 100bar,
oem drop links,
oem subrlframe bushes and poly suspension bushes.

Recent non oem tie rods with oem rod ends. Bracket that holds the tie rods has the bolts loose so will be changed,

Also a random knock when the steering wheel is turned from side to side, sometimes close to the straight ahead area, sometimes elsewhere.

Your thoughts?

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[jade]

Can it be a steering rack problem?
Suspension problem?

History:
Pro mounts,
bilstein shocks and stock springs,
oem steering rack.
Single vane steering pump 100bar,
oem drop links,
oem subrlframe bushes and poly suspension bushes.

Recent non oem tie rods with oem rod ends. Bracket that holds the tie rods has the bolts loose so will be changed,

Also a random knock when the steering wheel is turned from side to side, sometimes close to the straight ahead area, sometimes elsewhere.

Your thoughts?

sent with Nokia 6210

You can check that steering tie rods bolts are torqued up correctly to the rack

[Error404]

that also causes the clunk near the straight ahead position

[A80Avant]

You mean the bracket that holds them to the rack or the rods to the bracket?

In any case those will be replaced so we torqued

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[Error404]

both can cause what you're describing

[A80Avant]

Ok. Those are planned to be checked.

Cheers

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[Rusty]

New tyres?

[A80Avant]

No. Had the contis for a while but with good rubber on them still.

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[Donnie]

Light steering can be caused by over inflated tyres.
Also, self centering effect is generated by castor angle - bent wishbone or outer balljoint moved?
Have you had the front end apart? the balljoints are handed (as i'm sure you know)
Excessive toe can nullify the self center effect, making the steering feel weird.
If its happened suddenly without interference, I'd suspect loose outer balljoints, or failed topmounts causing a reduction in castor.
Have you tightened the power steering belt?
Topped up the power steering reservoir?

[A80Avant]

Power steering fluid all checked. Ball joints have not, but we can check those as well.

The front end will go for an alignment again although I had to have the tracking done about 5 times as it always went off after a while...

Tyres have about 34psi usually

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[EspenW]

Been lifting weight, perhaps

34psi sounds rather low?

[A80Avant]

I thought 34-36 was ok for 18inch wheels

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[Error404]

I run 40psi up front and 38psi in the rear, 245/35 18 Conti like you Vas

[A80Avant]

That much huh? Then its not the too much air scenario!


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[EspenW]

Recommended pressure for the stock tyre size is 39psi if I remember correctly. I currently run 225/45-17 at 42psi.
Maybe I should lower it slightly, as the car tends to want to spin all 4 tyres at approx. 80kmh when I go WOT. Strange stuff