Tight steering

trixyben

on my mk1 focus the steering is a bit tight when turning eith way, its all the way not just tight on certain spots, i have to use bit of strenght to turn wheel tbh...

Now there is a recent new power steering pump, the tyres are perfect so is the alignment and tyre pressuire is correct, so what else should i be looking at?

Im think maybe is there bearings on the steering shaft at other end of steering wheel that go?

Nissan doctor

Any noise when turning the steering? Hows your PS fluid level?

Wheelnut

Some earlier Fords had problems with the lower universal joint of the steering column seizing up. I don't know if the problem still existed when the Focus came along.

trixyben

PS fluid level ok and no noises at all when steering..

What else ya thinking Doc?

Would i be right in saying there is a bearing in the steering in the footwell area? and do they need replacing from time to time?

Nissan doctor

trixyben wrote: »

PS fluid level ok and no noises at all when steering..

What else ya thinking Doc?

Would i be right in saying there is a bearing in the steering in the footwell area? and do they need replacing from time to time?

There are bearings on the steering colm, but they would rarely give trouble on any car.

TBH it could be several things, rack, PS pipes, track rod ends, ball joints etc etc.

If the problem has happened suddenly, then its likely a PS problem as any wear on the balljoints etc would have worsened over time.

trixyben

Nissan doctor wrote: »

There are bearings on the steering colm, but they would rarely give trouble on any car.

TBH it could be several things, rack, PS pipes, track rod ends, ball joints etc etc.

If the problem has happened suddenly, then its likely a PS problem as any wear on the balljoints etc would have worsened over time.

It has been like this a good while Doc tbh I just noticed the wear on the steering wheels the other day and thought i need to look into this.

Had a look at the PS pipes and all seem ok, had new tie rod ends abut 5k ago so they should be fine, now ya have me thinking the rack, what should i be looking at with it are is there a fix possible n it?

Cheers

TURRICAN

trixyben wrote: »

on my mk1 focus the steering is a bit tight when turning eith way, its all the way not just tight on certain spots, i have to use bit of strenght to turn wheel tbh...

Now there is a recent new power steering pump, the tyres are perfect so is the alignment and tyre pressuire is correct, so what else should i be looking at?

Im think maybe is there bearings on the steering shaft at other end of steering wheel that go?

Why did you put a new pump on?
Is it a new pump?
Did a mechanic put on the new pump?
Belt tight?

trixyben

TURRICAN wrote: »

Why did you put a new pump on?
Is it a new pump?
Did a mechanic put on the new pump?
Belt tight?

It was a new pump yeah i put it on myself, I thought the new pump would sort it but it didnt, checked the belt all good and tight not slipping etc

TURRICAN

trixyben wrote: »

TURRICAN wrote: »

Why did you put a new pump on?
Is it a new pump?
Did a mechanic put on the new pump?
Belt tight?

It was a new pump yeah i put it on myself, I thought the new pump would sort it but it didnt, checked the belt all good and tight not slipping etc

Ok.
On some racks there is a adjuster near the shaft coming thru the floor and into the rack. Usually a big 32 nut with a smaller one inside that. The big one is a lock nut which you can loosen. Then you tighten the smaller one until it stops. This pushes the pinion against the rack tight. You don't want this. You then loosen the small nut by maybe 90 degrees and then tighten the locknut.
If that sorts it you may have to use trial and error to get the right feel and proper return to centre of the wheel.

Maybe mark the position of the bolts with tip ex first so you will know where to start from.

I'm not saying this is the fix but it's worth a try. You can always set it back to its original position from the tip ex marks.
It's not a big job.

trixyben

TURRICAN wrote: »

Ok.
On some racks there is a adjuster near the shaft coming thru the floor and into the rack. Usually a big 32 nut with a smaller one inside that. The big one is a lock nut which you can loosen. Then you tighten the smaller one until it stops. This pushes the pinion against the rack tight. You don't want this. You then loosen the small nut by maybe 90 degrees and then tighten the locknut.
If that sorts it you may have to use trial and error to get the right feel and proper return to centre of the wheel.

Maybe mark the position of the bolts with tip ex first so you will know where to start from.

I'm not saying this is the fix but it's worth a try. You can always set it back to its original position from the tip ex marks.
It's not a big job.

Will give this a try tomorrow and hopefully might do some good, cheers for the tip with the tipex