Possible causes for loss of steering "linearity"?

[Dynamic Turtle]

Chaps my zed's steering column has starting behaving strangely. There's a lack of consistency when turning the wheel at a given speed, where the turning pressure required suddenly becomes much heavier (or lighter) mid-turn, and nor is it consistent between similar turns taken left or right.

 

Is this likely to be a tracking issue (last done 5 months / 8k miles ago) or something to do with the fluid level (which is just above cold minimum).

 

It is also intermittent / not consistent in its weirdness - does it from cold and two hours into a drive.

 

I think the car is still safe to drive but it is a bit of a worry...

 

Thanks in advance,

DT

Edited September 29, 2014 by Dynamic Turtle

[Ewen@Clark Motorsport]

Racks are known to wear on higher mileage 350's, if the fluid is old it would be worth changing that first to see if you get any improvement.

Edited September 29, 2014 by Clark Motorsport

[Toon Chris]

From experience I had the same issue and it was a fluid leak. In my case the pipes around the cooler had given up.

Normally the steering was fine then a sudden heaviness then ok again, presumably when a hittinga bubble and loosing some pressure. It I topped up the fluid and did a lock-to lock test a few times it was fine again for a while - until the level dropped again.

Your fluid should not be lower than the minimum level when stone cold so that's a good time to check it. Also take a look at the colour as murky fluid means its not happy.

Check the engine tray at the front and the pipes and rack for sticky messes, although it can be only a small weep that lets the levels drop.

[Dynamic Turtle]

From experience I had the same issue and it was a fluid leak. In my case the pipes around the cooler had given up.

Normally the steering was fine then a sudden heaviness then ok again, presumably when a hittinga bubble and loosing some pressure. It I topped up the fluid and did a lock-to lock test a few times it was fine again for a while - until the level dropped again.

Your fluid should not be lower than the minimum level when stone cold so that's a good time to check it. Also take a look at the colour as murky fluid means its not happy.

Check the engine tray at the front and the pipes and rack for sticky messes, although it can be only a small weep that lets the levels drop.

 

Sounds exactly like the same issue and thanks for the pointer. The only thing being that the cold fluid level has been perfectly stable for the last six months or so, not dropped a millimetre. I didn't realise this kind of fluid "aged" but I guess it could get spoiled with particulates over time?

 

Clark - I'm on 78,000 (thrashed) miles. It might be wear & tear combined with a fluid issue and I'll get Abbey to look into it at the service next month.

 

I think this is a legacy issue from the frontal crash I had six months ago - I knew something would ultimately rear its head!

 

Thanks as always for the advice.

Edited September 29, 2014 by Dynamic Turtle

[ZMANALEX]

What rack are you running ? the later racks have electronic assist.

 

Alex.

[Dynamic Turtle]

It's an early 2005 / DE.

[ZMANALEX]

It's an early 2005 / DE.

 

Then should be fully hydraulic with no electric assist.

[docwra]

Check fluid, belt, bushes, rack in that order Id say.

[ZMANALEX]

+ the pump and steering column coupling universal joint.