adjusting steering

[mmmmdonuts]

My car was rebuilt by Westfield after my crash.  I noticed a few weeks ago that on full lock the cycle wings are touching the body.  The wheels don't touch, but it is marking the fibreglass.

So, how do I adjust so that they don't touch?  Please bear in mind that I am totally and utterly inept at all technical stuff to do with cars.  If it is anything other than simple, could someone from Thames Valley give me a hand at the next meeting?

[steppenwolf]

Amazing, I literally resolved this problem last night on my own car!

Questions ...

1.) Have you got a properly modified steering rack with end stops reducing the travel?

2.) Have you had the car's steering geometry set up correctly?

3.) Do the cycle wings touch on BOTH sides of the car?

If both sides touch, this COULD mean unmodified rack in use, too much toe out or cycle wings incorrectly fitted.

If one side only touches and you have a modified rack in use, the toe adjustment may be off centre

My car's steering was correctly set up but for reasons that I don't need to go into here, I had to have a new front upright fitted. When I had the 'toe'  set up again, the plonkers did not centre the rack so on full right lock, the right cycle wing just touches the body.

To correct this, I shortened the offside track rod by one turn of the rod and lenghtened the near side by one turn thus maitaining the correct 'toe' but effectively moving the rack to the nearside a little.

Hope that helps.

[Blatman]

I'd be asking Westfield to sort it if it was a recent repair. That's a fairly fundamental error IMO..........It's both an SVA and MOT fail, so I'm surprised they missed it. Give 'em a ring and see what they say.

[mmmmdonuts]

It was a factory built car so everything should be right.  Yes, they touch on both sides.  

I'm sure Westfield would sort it out, its just the hassle of getting up there.  Need to go on a weekday, so time off work.  Petrol cost etc (for a boring drive up the M40).  

I do have the problem of getting the marks off the fibreglass as well.  I have read all the other threads, but I'm very nervous about attacking my car with wet and dry (never having done anything like that before).

[shaun]

If the car has not been set up correctly by Westfield then they should compensate you for your petrol and time.

Otherwise they may be able to arrange something with Mitsubishi, Reading who used to do Westfield servicing and repairs.

[rkenyon]

I do have the problem of getting the marks off the fibreglass as well.  I have read all the other threads, but I'm very nervous about attacking my car with wet and dry (never having done anything like that before).

I'm moving up to Maidenhead at the weekend, if you want to pop over some time in the future, I'll happilly demonstrate the technique on mine (as I have a couple of scratches I've been meaning to get rid of).

I've done it a few times before (on some HUGE scratches in my old one) with excellent results.

Ross

[Mark Stanton]

Before doing any work yourself - call Westfield and give them an opportunity to put all matters right - to your satisfaction. They are usually more than happy to try and resolve such issues.

Working on your car before you do talk to them, might nullify any warranty you may have, a bit jobsworth I know but ......... its always best to offer Westfield the opportunity first before having a go yourself in this instance.

[SEiGHT]

I'm moving up to Maidenhead at the weekend, if you want to pop over some time in the future, I'll happilly demonstrate the technique on mine (as I have a couple of scratches I've been meaning to get rid of).

I've done it a few times before (on some HUGE scratches in my old one) with excellent results.

This sounds like a great idea for the next Thames Valley meeting - you can give a "how to sandpaper your car" lecture  

Seriously this is something I would be interested to see, as everytime I have tried it, I just end up with an obvious sanded area.

Anyone got any spare bodywork ?

I think Shaun, as AO, should donate parts of his bodywork for the greater good  

Update: Er, obviously that should read "his car's bodywork..."    

[mmmmdonuts]

I'll give Westfield a ring and see what they say.  

Ross - I was going to say I'll come over to you in Maidenhead, but a demo of scratch repairing at the next Thames Valley meet sounds popular.  Are you OK with that?

I did have a piece of fibreglass left over from my smash, but I threw it away a couple of weeks ago.  Didn't think about practicing on that.  

[rkenyon]

I've got stacks of spare bosywork after my "incedent", I can bring some of that along to the meet.

When is the next one?

[mmmmdonuts]

How far should the cycle wings be from the bosy on full lock?  My left side has about a 5mm gap, but it is touching at some point because there are scratches on the body.  The right side does just touch on full lock, and is leaving quite a lot of scratches.

Ross  - I think the meetings are the second Sunday of the month, so it should be the 9th June, at the usual meeting place (the Old Devil Pub, near Maidenhead).  I'm sure Shaun will be along to correct me if I'm wrong.