Wierd Power Steering problem

spikes · Postby **spikes** » Fri May 27, 2011 3:04 pm

My NA has a powered rack and I'm not sure if this is normal or not..

I suck at explaining stuff so I'm doing the best I can,
When full lock whilst turning and then driving to straighten up, the wheel should straighten up by itself. But mine won't straighten up easily without having to turn the wheel myself. Also when sitting stationary and if I turn the wheel full lock and hold it there, the idle speed will drop down to 250RPM from 750RPM and the car stars shuddering. Let go of the steering wheel and it will move back a little bit and idle goes back to normal.

Whilst driving over ripples and small trenches in the road, the steering seems to have a mind of its own and doesn't feel very responsive.

Anybody know whats wrong with my car?

dave2221 · Postby **dave2221** » Fri May 27, 2011 3:31 pm

sounds like your steering pump it sucking revs when its trying to keep turning once you hit the bump stop thingy

and as for your straigtening issue, i think thats a toe issue? wheel alignment thing

Postby **NitroDann** » Fri May 27, 2011 3:46 pm

If your idle is dieing its either an issue with the PS idle up (Now these are general things I dont have PS in my 5 but ive fixed plenty of PS issues.) switch or with the valves that control when the pump pressure becomes active. Take it to your mechanic, its probably not diagnosable over the net.

Dann

deviant · Postby **deviant** » Fri May 27, 2011 4:35 pm

Does the steering self centre from lesser steering inputs? I.E. if you drive around in a circle with half lock on and let go of the wheel does it self centre then?

Self centering is something designed in to the suspension alignment, some cars self centre very quickly and some slowly while others dont at all (though I believe it is a requirement that it does).

Have you checked how much fluid is in the reservoir?

Either way, dont muck around if your steering does not feel right. Get it to a workshop and get it inspected.

The idle will drop a bit if you turn then wheel when stationary (which you shouldnt) but the revs should not drop to the point of nearly stalling.

JBT · Postby **JBT** » Fri May 27, 2011 4:38 pm

Check that the wire to the pressure switch on the power steering pump has not become disconnected.

spikes · Postby **spikes** » Fri May 27, 2011 4:50 pm

dave2221 wrote:and as for your straigtening issue, i think thats a toe issue? wheel alignment thing

interesting since you mentioned toe issues, I've noticed the toe setup of my car is completely whacked.. (or at least I don't think it looks normal)

spikes · Postby **spikes** » Fri May 27, 2011 5:03 pm

deviant wrote:Does the steering self centre from lesser steering inputs? I.E. if you drive around in a circle with half lock on and let go of the wheel does it self centre then?

Self centering is something designed in to the suspension alignment, some cars self centre very quickly and some slowly while others dont at all (though I believe it is a requirement that it does).

Have you checked how much fluid is in the reservoir?

Either way, dont muck around if your steering does not feel right. Get it to a workshop and get it inspected.

The idle will drop a bit if you turn then wheel when stationary (which you shouldnt) but the revs should not drop to the point of nearly stalling.

I'll try the self centre test at half lock.. Fluid levels are fine and clean.

I'll go get my suspension checked out because I think my toe settings are wrong

Postby **NitroDann** » Fri May 27, 2011 5:17 pm

'Self centring ' is due to castor, the same way the forks on a pushbike lean back and allow you to ride no handed. This is not a legal issue that a car must self centre, its simply what is needed to maintain good tyre contact when cornering.

Dann

Guran · Postby **Guran** » Fri May 27, 2011 5:23 pm

I think you might be a bit confused with that diagram.

At the front, camber and caster are adjusted by eccentric bolts on the lower A-arm. Toe is changed by adjusting the tie-rod ends. The toe will change if you change the camber, as will caster to some degree. Unfortunately they all interact to some extent.

In the rear, camber and toe are both changed by the same type of eccentric bolts on the lower arm. Again, toe & camber will interact. So to give you the benefit of the doubt, that diagram might be showing the rear eccentric bolts (although they don't affect steering obviously).

It's best to take your car to a good wheel alignment workshop and get them to set it up properly.

Tony · Postby **Tony** » Fri May 27, 2011 6:01 pm

Agree with what's been said above. Caster adjustment will affect the self centering, toe out will affect the car's straight line stability. Get a good wheel alignment and I reckon she'll be as good as gold again.

spikes · Postby **spikes** » Fri May 27, 2011 6:24 pm

Yeah I'm confused, that diagram I drew is the eccentric bolts for the lower control arms, both front and rear are at the same setting.

I'll have to book it in for a wheel alignment soon then