Steering "slop"

[Beetie]

My mate had this problem on his cq20v, and his was something to do with adjusting something. Not quite sure what tho. Ill txt him and get him to post....

[pastures16]

ive got the same problem steering feels loose jumps left to right over small bumps it floats i changed top mounts subframe bushes wishbone bushes anti roll bar bushes sill the same found 2/3mm play in the tie rods (rack end) that tightend it up a bit but its still not right going for new shock inserts this weekend let us know how you get on ill do the same

[pastures16]

isnt there an adjuster for the rack its in the o/s wheel arch

[dan_b]

The car's going back tomorrow (Saturday) so we'll see what's what...

[s2driveruk]

yeah there is a bolt on the rack just below the brake fluid reservoir, carefull not to overtighten though otherwise your wheel won't self centre again, BTDT

Cheers

David

[dan_b]

Would they have had to have gone near the rack to have done the top mounts?

[Stick Insect]

The tie rods would have had to be undone to drop the legs IIRC.

I like Porkkis' suggestion, bad to in ( or out) can have this affect the steering wheel seems to have a mind of it's own.

I went to my local Ford Rapid fit and had the 4x4 Mondeo suspension aligned last Friday and it is now wonderful again ( as well as a Ford can be!)

Get the suspension properly 4 wheel alighned, your local Ford Rapid fit should be bale to do it. Ask for the measurements before and after.

I took some Mars bars in and it only cost me £20..

P.S. make sure they have the correct suspension alignment settings, theirs may be wrong

[dan_b]

What are the correct suspension alignments?
I'm hoping they'll look at the car tomorrow - bearing in mind that this aspect of the car was fine before they did the work, should I be able to get this done for free?

[Mikes2]

The tie rod ends may have been damaged during removal. This is very easily done as they can be stubborn.

[dan_b]

Hmm. Surely they should have picked this slop up in a test drive? They actually drove my car back to my house! Gah. I guess I'll find out tomorrow...

[dan_b]

Ok. 2 new left wishbone bushes, 2 new gearbox bushes and 2 new rear diff bushes later and the car is absoloutely brilliant. Steering slop has gone, bump-steer is reduced significantly: transmission shunt is reduced dramatically and the rear diff thumps a bit less too. Ride has firmed up a little bit, but I don't mind that.

The steering responsiveness now is really rather impressive: with the uprated ARBS and the H&R/Konis, boy does this turn in quick and stick like a limpet

[Fat Audi 80]

Glad to hear that you got it all sorted out. They are lovely cars when they are "right"...

Cheers,

Steve

[dan_b]

Lovely, but whoppingly expensive

[Jamo]

Ok. 2 new left wishbone bushes, 2 new gearbox bushes and 2 new rear diff bushes later and the car is absoloutely brilliant. Steering slop has gone, bump-steer is reduced significantly: transmission shunt is reduced dramatically and the rear diff thumps a bit less too. Ride has firmed up a little bit, but I don't mind that.

The steering responsiveness now is really rather impressive: with the uprated ARBS and the H&R/Konis, boy does this turn in quick and stick like a limpet

How much did that little lot set you back? did you go for the powerflex bushes on the wishbones and rear diff?

[dan_b]

I went with standard bushes on everything. Having put the Powerflex bush on the rear diff rear mount last year and subsequently getting very much increased transmission vibration, I didn't want to get any more of that, or make the ride significantly firmer than it is already with the H&Rs!

The 6 bushes set me back just shy of £100 in parts. I didn't have the facilities to do the fitting myself, paid for 4 hours of garage labour.

Anyone who has 14-year old rubber bushes on their car should consider replacing them, especially if you're looking to upgrade any other part of the suspension!