Still sloppy - what to replace?wxxt

[jaychen]

Replaced the LCA's as the subframe bushes were totally shot.

Had a wheel alignment done to OE spec but the steering still feels 'sloppy'.

It doesn't tramline much anymore but it just doesn't feel 'solid'

Any tips on what to replace?

[UrS4boy]

Tie-rod ends or the complete tie-rods. And check your steering rack mounts for cracking and/or movement. Have you replaced the steering damper and/or adjusted the lash in the steering rack?

[Rusty]

They never feel that great as the steering is light and has a quick rack, so gives little feedback.

[jaychen]

Tie-rod ends or the complete tie-rods. And check your steering rack mounts for cracking and/or movement. Have you replaced the steering damper and/or adjusted the lash in the steering rack?

Will replace complete tie rods.

There is no movement on the rack itself. Haven't inspected the mounts.

Damper doesn't look new. Haven't touch the steering lash (is this the preload nut?).

Any P/N's for the aforementioned, dave?

They never feel that great as the steering is light and has a quick rack, so gives little feedback.

Man,

if they came like this new they are a pretty **** car. It does tramline still, feels 'loose', unpredictable and just a bit off on roads that are dead flat. It even steers left or right depending on the gradient of the road.

Wheel alignment was done to OE specs..

[UrS4boy]

Damper doesn't look new. Haven't touch the steering lash (is this the preload nut?). Any P/N's for the aforementioned, dave?

Lots of C4 UrS front suspension PNs in this: http://forums.quattroworld.com/s4s6/msgs/24392.phtml

The adjustment nut for the C4 UrS steering lash (pre-load) is the center of oval(ish) plate to the left of the left end of the rubber boot and to the right of Red and silver ZF SN plate (under the "P" in "PLATE" on the ZF SN label) If you tighten the lash too much, the steering wheel will NOT re-center on its own while driving so a bit of trial and error is involved.

[jaychen]

@urs4boy

I'll have a crack at it tomorrow.

it just feels 'sloppy'. Does yours feel like this, Dave?

Or does it feel nice and sturdy, direct and accurate?

[newsh]

Don't forget to look at the back end too, I had some of those symptoms on the ur years ago and it was steering from the rear.

[jaychen]

Don't forget to look at the back end too, I had some of those symptoms on the ur years ago and it was steering from the rear.

The bushes on my rear arms (camber arms?) are pretty shot but there is not play on them..

Thanks mate, i guess i best just replace every single thing on it then

[popdemonic]

my car does exactly the same as you feel.Replace everything and not much improvement.

Especially,on uneven road the steering wheel pulls along with the road surface.only one thing i dislike

on C4s besides, extra long overhang lol.

[jaychen]

im not sure i can drive this car then if that's the way it performs. it doesnt feel safe at speed and seems so 'sketchy'.

argh this annoys me, pop!

i wonder if anyone can chime in if they drove one back when they were new (or lightly used) to comment..?

[Error404]

I ended up replacing or rebuilding every single item in my running gear in order to make it feel tight and like it would have when new (better actually as I used poly & delrin everywhere!). Whilst it will never be the best handling car in the world, nor have the best steering feedback, it does feel very tight, responsive and positive to drive

So really, you need to think about replacing all of this lot - not an insignificant or cheap job, but ultimately the best value for money spend you will ever do on your car

subframe bushes
tie rods
wishbone bushes
ball joints
springs
dampers
topmounts
arb mounts
engine, gearbox & diff mounts (to stop all that mass slopping about)

[jaychen]

what brand did you replace the oe stuff with (as you said you used poly or delrin?) ?

[Error404]

I used :

Powerflex wishbone bushes
Superflex subframe bushes (made by Superpro in Oz I believe?)
Delrin tie rod bushes
IIRC it was TRW ball joints & tie rod ends

[jaychen]

I used :

Powerflex wishbone bushes
Superflex subframe bushes (made by Superpro in Oz I believe?)
Delrin tie rod bushes
IIRC it was TRW ball joints & tie rod ends

any p/n's ?

[GazzaG60]

from experience solid bushes on the frame help loads as do poly arms.

top mounts then are key as are ball joints.

mine was leagues different with alloy,poly and promount.

agree rack is potentially too quick.