Failed Mot On Stiff Steering - Advice Please

[Guest fredster]

HI Folks - so my 1.9 failed on stiff steering - feels fine to me but tester insists it has tight spots. Anyone had this issue? I've lubed the universal joint under the dash. My own theory is that the tester just isn't used to cars with wide wheels and no power steering. If anyone knows of a way to lighten steering I'd appreciate it.

 

fred

[hengti 2]

it's possibly the U/J on the lower column (the one under the car just above the steering rack)

 

to check, disconnect it from the rack and make sure it moves freely in both directions

[Anthony 1,003]

Knackered top mount bearings will cause excessively stiff steering with "stiff spots" as well, and also could be a dying steering rack.

[maturin23 10]

I had a similar problem - completely solved by fitting new top mount bearings.

[Guest fredster]

thanks for that - will try it.

 

fred

[Super Josh 4]

My own theory is that the tester just isn't used to cars with wide wheels and no power steering. If anyone knows of a way to lighten steering I'd appreciate it.

 

fred

 

 

It will have been tested with the wheels in the air, so PAS adn wide tyres shouldn't have any bearing on the test.

 

 

 

Josh

[Guest fredster]

Had a look in my haynes manual and no mention of this bearing - is the top mount accessed by removing steering wheel and working down removing switchgear etc until you reach the bearing?

 

 

fred

[davev 1]

top mount bearings are part of the spring/shock assembly. theyll have to be taken off and taken somewhere that has spring comprossors for it to be changed.

[Richie-Van-GTi 71 2 Cars]

I had this on a 306, macpherson bearings as said above., £10 a side and couple hours work. Problem solved and gained a much more precise car as well, mine literally fell apart when the top mount was removed. I now change them anually.

[Guest fredster]

Well, after checking it with wheels on and off the ground - and being convinced there was absolutely nothing wrong with steering I pumped up tyres to 40 psi (!) to make steering feel lighter, took it back for a retest and it passed!