Boomy Posted September 17, 2005 Posted September 17, 2005 Just been having a blat around the local lanes and 3 or 4 times as i turned corners the steering was sticking in that position. It gave you the exact same feeling it does when you are used to say power steering and you try to turn the wheel with the engine off.I had to use medium force to bring the wheel back to being central again. I am assuming it's something to do with the steering gubbings underneath but thought i would ask the experts. I also wanted to ask what any parts are likely to be from (87 pre lit).It has cortina uprights but would it be an escort Mk2 steering rack etc? Blat finished early due to my concerns Oh and after the old girl not losing a drop of oil since i have owned it, it seems i have possibly dinked the sump as there is now a small oil puddle in the garage.Pah! If it requires a new sump, could i just get any Xflow one and it will fit straight on or as the engine came from Vulcan do i need to get hold of them? Sorry for my lack of mechanical knowledge, but i'm learning slowly Quote
JeffC Posted September 17, 2005 Posted September 17, 2005 ref steering sticking .. i had this on my last westy,was a nightmare to drive, would stick exactly as you said .... it was the bush behind the steering wheel, i took the upper column out removed the centre shaft and sanded the bush and shaft , greased it up, but it back together and was fine after that.. mine was allegro type i think! Quote
Boomy Posted September 17, 2005 Author Posted September 17, 2005 Ahhh right, i was assuming it would be something down near the front wheels in amongst all them couplings and rubber covers etc! So is this a pretty simple job only i'm not even sure what i am looking for at this stage. Quote
stu999 Posted September 17, 2005 Posted September 17, 2005 Trouble is, it could be soooo many other things too... My Westfield started displaying similar symptoms, which turned out to be a worn bottom ball joint. You are probably going to have to carefully examine the system, starting form one end, and working your way to the other. Steering shaft bushs, UJ's, the rack itself, ball joints etc, etc. Stu Quote
budmikem Posted September 17, 2005 Posted September 17, 2005 If you 'steam clean' the engine bay...the universal joints on the column can go dry...it happens alot with land/range rovers. Never looked at my westie...put if any fitted give them a good WD40 bath Quote
Thrustyjust Posted September 18, 2005 Posted September 18, 2005 as budmikem says about the UJ.It was from an allegro and was lengthened by the factory when you picked up your chassis in them days.The allegro one was originally under the dash and now it is open to the elements under the bonnet.If you mark across the uj and column and remove it,you can then see if it does move at the joints.I would leave it soaking in a heavier oil than WD40 and then by removing the steering column pin,then remove that and regrease the column shaft bushings.Also check the steering rack balljoints have no split in the gaitors and yes the rack is from a MK2 escort with the 'short pinion' if you are asked. Quote
88xflo Posted September 19, 2005 Posted September 19, 2005 If it's such an early car the top column is likely to be escort I think? Is the top column welded to the frame, if so I think it is likely to be escort, but could be wrong. If escort, the top bearing is a roller bearing type with a deep collar, not the pain bush type that I think is fitted to an allegro type. The escort upper columns usually go loose with age not tight; (of course, it is possible that the original bearing has been replaced with a nylon bush at some point). To be honest it could be any number of things; my bet is a dry UJ on the lower column. Rob Quote
Boomy Posted September 19, 2005 Author Posted September 19, 2005 Ok thanks all for the suggestions.It's an 87 pre lit so not sure if that would give a clue as to what parts are used. I will get around to checking it out and let you know what i find/cry for help again Quote
iang454 Posted September 21, 2005 Posted September 21, 2005 A quick check would be to jack the car up. Take the two track rods off the uprights and turn the wheel. You will then be able to see if its the column/rack. If thats free then you can look at the front wheels in turn. I have just rebuilt my friends 89 Westfield that had very stiff steering and that turned out to be RHF outter ball joints. Not an expensive repair, we fitted all new top/bottom ball joints and track rod ends as the car hadn't done alot of miles for quite along time. It transformed the car. (they were very bad ). Quote
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