Steering

[Antshiel]

Stopped at car wash today, paid me money and got dragged through. it takes about 3 mins for the whole operation, when i got to the other end i turned to go right out the exit and the steering wheel turned about 1/4 of a turn and came to an abrupt stop. By this i mean it didn't get stiff and harder to turn, it just stopped dead. Now this is the second time this has happened in as many weeks. It hasn't happened when i am driving (yet!) but it is starting to worry me that it might. I have looked underneath, checked fluid level and sat outside my house for 10 mins with engine running and tried agaon but nothing. What the hell is doing this? Any ideas?

[Ace Piker]

Stopped at car wash today, paid me money and got dragged through. it takes about 3 mins for the whole operation, when i got to the other end i turned to go right out the exit and the steering wheel turned about 1/4 of a turn and came to an abrupt stop. By this i mean it didn't get stiff and harder to turn, it just stopped dead. Now this is the second time this has happened in as many weeks. It hasn't happened when i am driving (yet!) but it is starting to worry me that it might. I have looked underneath, checked fluid level and sat outside my house for 10 mins with engine running and tried agaon but nothing. What the hell is doing this? Any ideas?

Maybe you have Tres-Emme in the steering box!

[MattF]

When it locked, could you move it okay in the opposite direction, or was it completely locked? How did you get it working okay again? Is the power steering fluid okay and upto level?

[TonyN]

Check the steering lock is OK,

Then I'd check all the UJ's on the steering column, there is one under the dash and more down by the steering box.

It could be something floating around in the steering box, also a bad CV will catch and jam if it has collapsed internally.

[Antshiel]

Maybe you have Tres-Emme in the steering box!

Suppose i asked for that one lol.

[Antshiel]

checked fluid on saturday and again today, no probs there. It was fine when i steered in the opposite direction and coerrected as soon as i let pressure off steering wheel. Weird eh!

For the benefit of Matt

[Antshiel]

Check the steering lock is OK,

Then I'd check all the UJ's on the steering column, there is one under the dash and more down by the steering box.

It could be something floating around in the steering box, also a bad CV will catch and jam if it has collapsed internally.

Can this be done visually, without stripping half the trim out and as for the cv, wouldn't i be hearing some kind of rattle or something?

[MattF]

Can this be done visually, without stripping half the trim out and as for the cv, wouldn't i be hearing some kind of rattle or something?

Again, how did you remedy it when it happened?

[Antshiel]

Again, how did you remedy it when it happened?

Sorry Matt i did reply above "i let pressure off steering wheel".

[MattF]

Sorry Matt i did reply above "i let pressure off steering wheel".

Sure you didn't add that bit whilst I wasn't looking? Lessens the chance of it being the steering lock. Look under the dash, with your head in the offside footwell. You can see the steering column run through to the bulkhead. Check everything that side appears okay, then follow through from the engine bay. You can see all the joints easily enough. If they appear okay, you're probably into the more advanced problems Tony suggested.

[Antshiel]

Sure you didn't add that bit whilst I wasn't looking? Lessens the chance of it being the steering lock. Look under the dash, with your head in the offside footwell. You can see the steering column run through to the bulkhead. Check everything that side appears okay, then follow through from the engine bay. You can see all the joints easily enough. If they appear okay, you're probably into the more advanced problems Tony suggested.

Just so you dont think im ignoring you Matt, i will have a damn good look tomorrow.

[MattF]

Matt,

Now you're getting me worried.

[joker??]

Now you're getting me worried.

hehe looks like it aint only the steering thats hard to turn

[Antshiel]

Now you're getting me worried.

Nothing to worry about there m8.

[surfenstein]

are you sure it wasnt just water that had got onto the belt from the wash and made the belt slip for a brief moment .this kept happening on our sharran when it rained,a new belt and retensioned sorted it.