Steering feeling light

Hi, been drivin around and have noticed that the steering wheel seems very light, almost like if it had power steering, which it doesnt, even at low speeds.

this is only happens occasionaly.

any ideas what the problem mite be?

i thought initally it was a flat tyre but i checked the tyres and they didnt seem to be flat.

Reply 1

Insignificant B

The bricks in the boot :wink:

Reply 2

EAM_Enterprises

You could be sort of right as far as tyres go... but its the other way round... if the tyres are under-inflated the steering is heavier, if they are over-inflated the steering is lighter... so have you recently inflated your tyres?

Remember... don't inflate them to the 'max pressure' stated on the tyre itself... refer to the cars handbook for the correct pressures or where you will find those pressures written on the car itself. The pressures are usually about 28psi rear and 31psi front... I think...

Reply 3

steve2k6

aite cheeers for the advice, no havent inflated tyres recently

goin to take it round to a m8s to get it checked out

Reply 4

JC.

I had this on my BGT up untill a few months ago. The steering was very light and vague. Cause? Wear in the steering rack.
I chose to replace my rack with a brand new quick rack. However, there is a little trick you can try first to prolong the life of your old rack a little bit.

What you can do is take off the little cover where you top up the oil and try removing one of the shims between the case and the cover.

-Undo the bolts holding the cover down and remove cover.
-Place a jack under the front of the car and get the front wheels only off the ground slightly
-Lift out the piston and spring assembly
-Get a friend to sit in the car and turn the wheel from lock to lock about 12 times whilst you top up the oil. (the correct oil is "gear oil")
-Remove one of the shims that went between the cover plate and the steering rack casing and bolt down the cover.

The steering should have firmed up quite a lot. If however it is now impossible to turn the steering wheel its proberbly time to look for a new rack.
You can put the shim back if you can't turn the wheel just undo the cover and replace it. However, if the steering has firmed up a little and is more direct, congratulations you just extended the life of your steering rack a little.

Reply 5

AT82

New rack = new car :frown:

Depending on the sort of car of course and how much its worth :smile:

Reply 6

JC.

AT82

New rack = new car :frown:

Depending on the sort of car of course and how much its worth :smile:

*******s it does.
You can get a reconditioned exchange rack for a BGT for about £35.
I just wanted different gearing in mine so went for the brand new £150 rack.

Reply 7

AT82

How many people can fit their own steering rack though? Its a big job in terms of labour. I reckon it will cost at least £200 for the labour.

Reply 8

JC.

Its not a big job!
Its relively straight forward!

4 bolts hold the rack to the x member,
2 ball joints at either end and a big UJ holding the rack to the column.

All you need is some basic hand tools, the new rack, two new trackrod ends and you're away.

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