#1: Is it the steering rods at fault?? Author: jam1e, Location: WorcestershirePosted: Fri May 08, 2015 1:43 pm ---- Hi folks.
After all the problems I've had, and fixed, one of them is still here and causing me steering problems! The car is a 2003 206 1.4 hdi.
I'll explain the symptoms. When negotiating what I would consider an average right-hand bend smoothly, all of a sudden the car wants to shoot across into the oncoming carriageway! It can really catch you out, and have you yanking the wheel back to the nearside! On other slight right-hand bends the steering seems vague. It only happens with right-hand bends. I've changed the lower suspension arms, track-rod ends, and drop links. Despite this, there is still a little play in the nearside wheel.
My local garage has indicated that it may be my the inner steering rod, (which the track rod ends attach) Does this sound right to you folks?
I've also trawled the site for a "How To" on changing a steering rod, but there doesn't seem to be one. If it's looking like it is the inner rod, do I need any specialist tools to do the job?
Any constructive help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Jamie Last edited by jam1e on Fri May 08, 2015 2:03 pm; edited 1 time in total
#2: Re: Is it the "Inner" track rod at fault?? Author: MrBSI, Location: What's it to you? ? ?Posted: Fri May 08, 2015 1:51 pm ---- There is a special tool you can use to unscrew / screw in the steering tie rod to the steering rack.
You can get away with using a big pair of mole grips or stillsons if you don't have the correct tool.
The tie rod just screws in to the steering rack.
#3: Re: Is it the "Inner" track rod at fault?? Author: jam1e, Location: WorcestershirePosted: Fri May 08, 2015 2:38 pm ----
MrBSI wrote:
There is a special tool you can use to unscrew / screw in the steering tie rod to the steering rack.
You can get away with using a big pair of mole grips or stillsons if you don't have the correct tool.
The tie rod just screws in to the steering rack.
Thanks MrBSI. Do you think the symptoms point to the steering rod being worn?
Thanks
Jamie
#4: Re: Is it the steering rods at fault?? Author: kandlbarrett, Location: SwindonPosted: Sat May 09, 2015 8:30 am ---- Have you jacked up the rear and checked the rear wheels for play? It could be the rear.
#5: Re: Is it the steering rods at fault?? Author: jam1e, Location: WorcestershirePosted: Sat May 09, 2015 8:47 am ----
kandlbarrett wrote:
Have you jacked up the rear and checked the rear wheels for play? It could be the rear.
I have to say, no I haven't. It just didn't occur to me
I've just changed the nearside rack end as there was a little play in it.
But it still hasn't made a difference!
I'll go and check the rear wheels now!
Back in a mo!
Jamie
Back! No horizontal play in either side, but a little equal vertical play in both sides. The suspension moves at the same time, so I presume this is normal?
I'm going to change the drivers side rack end on Monday. If that doesn't solve it, i'll be pulling my F****** hair out!
Any, ideas or theories would be very much appreciated folks.
Just to add, I've now changed the lower arms, drop links, track rod ends, and a track end on the near side.
Thanks
Jamie
#6: Re: Is it the steering rods at fault?? Author: Anthonys206, Posted: Sat May 09, 2015 9:25 am ---- I've recently had my tie rods changed due to them being worn. you should be able to hear any play in the arms just by rocking the steering side to side. Or you could get another person to rock the steering while you put your hand on the track rod. You should be able to feel if there is any play.
#7: Re: Is it the steering rods at fault?? Author: jam1e, Location: WorcestershirePosted: Sat May 09, 2015 11:51 am ----
Anthonys206 wrote:
I've recently had my tie rods changed due to them being worn. you should be able to hear any play in the arms just by rocking the steering side to side. Or you could get another person to rock the steering while you put your hand on the track rod. You should be able to feel if there is any play.
Thanks for the reply Anthony.
I've replaced both track rod ends, and the nearside steering rack rod that the track rod ends screw into.
After I initially replaced JUST the track rod ends, if I moved the nearside wheel side to side, it had some play in it, and a slight "knocking" noise.
This seemed to be coming from the ball joints on the end of the rack rods that the track rod ends screw into. If that makes sense?
After replacing it, the knocking noise stopped. However, if I drive the car round a continuous smooth right-hand bend, all of a sudden the car swerves hard over to the oncoming lane for no reason.
In all honesty, I'm at a loss as to what to do next.
HELP! Anyone that can, or has the knowledge to help out!
Thanks.
Jamie
#8: Re: Is it the steering rods at fault?? Author: kandlbarrett, Location: SwindonPosted: Sat May 09, 2015 12:18 pm ---- Wheel bearing?
Tyre pressures check?
#9: Re: Is it the steering rods at fault?? Author: kandlbarrett, Location: SwindonPosted: Sat May 09, 2015 12:19 pm ---- Shocks knackered, does it happen as you hit an undulation in the bend?
#10: Re: Is it the steering rods at fault?? Author: kandlbarrett, Location: SwindonPosted: Sat May 09, 2015 12:19 pm ---- Steering rack tight? Last edited by kandlbarrett on Sat May 09, 2015 3:52 pm; edited 1 time in total
#11: Re: Is it the steering rods at fault?? Author: Anthonys206, Posted: Sat May 09, 2015 2:17 pm ---- I have something similar going on with my car but it happens more when going over painted road surfaces. Say you go over the red lines at a bus stop the car would swerve in another direction. The mot didn't pick up anything out of the ordinary so it's a mystery.
#12: Re: Is it the steering rods at fault?? Author: macj, Location: EssexPosted: Sun May 10, 2015 5:27 am ---- sounds like rear steering rack...... or trailing arm bearings
Top mounts on front suspension
Rear dampers
Worth checking all these
#13: Re: Is it the steering rods at fault?? Author: macca1411, Location: Westhoughton, LancashirePosted: Sun May 10, 2015 5:54 am ---- Have you had the tracking checked?
#14: Re: Is it the steering rods at fault?? Author: jam1e, Location: WorcestershirePosted: Mon May 11, 2015 10:16 am ---- The steering rack isn't tight. Or certainly doesn't feel tight, if that's what you mean?
The tyre pressures have been checked.
No horizontal play in the rear wheels, but a little vertical play, which seems equal, and the rear dampners move with the wheel.
Not sure about the wheel bearings? There doesn't appear to be much if any play in the front or rear wheels. And no "howling" coming from them at a steady speed.
MacJ, I'm not sure what you mean by a "rear steering rack" I thought the only steering rack was on the front of a car??
How do I check for play in the bearing on the trailings? Infact, what is a trailing arm?
I presume the top mounts on the front suspension, are under the bonnet and made of rubber?
Are the rear dampers, the items covered with the gators?
Apologies for appearing dim, but this is the only car I've ever owned with a Torsion bar rear set-up.
#15: Re: Is it the steering rods at fault?? Author: jam1e, Location: WorcestershirePosted: Mon May 11, 2015 10:24 am ----
kandlbarrett wrote:
Shocks knackered, does it happen as you hit an undulation in the bend?
KB, yes that is when it's at it's worst. There's a couple of points on a regular bit of road I use, and without fail it happens at these spots every time!
I go over a slight rise in the road, then as I come over the crest of that rise, the road bends to the right slightly, at this point the car veres right hard, and I have to yank it back.
It's getting to the stage, where i'm going to either put it through an mot to see what it throws up, (if anything!), or just trade it in. It's very frustrating, and time consuming. It would be a real shame, as were only the second owner, it's an 88K engine, and is smooth as silk to drive, and in good nick.
Thanks for all the help folks.
Jamie
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