steering question

[disko]

hi folks,my steering feels strange.is this a disko thing or what?when a take a left or right bend i have to straightn the wheel up fully,manualy.otherwords if a turn the wheel it will stay there.usually when u leave the wheel it usually straightens up itself.its been like this since i got it 6mths ago.i replaced the following last wk,end:swivel kits,cv joints,wheel bearings,discs n pads,anti roll bar links and intermediate steering collapsable shaft.joints are fine as it just passed its m.o.t yesterday.its a 300tdi,m reg.any ideas what to check n do next?

[p76rangie]

If you you do not have a big spring lift, it is usually the uni's on the shaft between the steering column and the steering box. You can't tell whether they are "fine" or not unless you pull the shaft.

You may find that your steering dampener is either seized or way too stiff

[disko]

thanx for your reply.shaft with uni,s has been replaced.it has a 2" lift.will order a new steering damper and try that.any sugestions on what type to go for?standard,pro comp etc etc? many thanx.

[p76rangie]

Originally Posted by disko

thanx for your reply.shaft with uni,s has been replaced.it has a 2" lift.will order a new steering damper and try that.any sugestions on what type to go for?standard,pro comp etc etc? many thanx.

Instead of replacing it, just remove it and see whether it moves relatively freely. If you need a new one, I would not spend a fortune on it. They are only there to stop the steering wheel being spun around if you hit something with the wheel. It is not like they are a performance item.

[Paul Grant]

When you did the work on the swivel balls did you do anything to make sure that you had the correct swivel preload on the bearing? If you removed a lot of shims and over tightened the swivel pin, it could have a similar affect on the feel of the steering.

[disko]

hi paul.yea a used fishing scales to set the preload.left side took more shims than right.might check them again now its bedded in abit,just to make sure.

[Paul Grant]

Well, two other things come to mind. First, in all of your adjusting, did you mess with the adjustment on the top of the steering box? Second, I'm sure you did this but I have to ask, did you check all the rods to make sure none of them are bent or damaged in anyway? I had a bend in the track rod after off roading and it played havoc with my steering until it was replaced.

[disko]

cheers paul,will check rods tonight,if it stops bloody raining,dont think ive upset the steering box.il take a measurement to.left balljoint centre to right balljoint centre should be=1230mm.