How heavy is your steering?

[barchetta_boy]

Started the Caterham up the other day and drove it for the first time in months. It's easy to forget just how intense they are!

I'd also forgotten how heavy my steering is. Obviously very difficult to quantify, but heavier by a long way than my unassisted Mk2 Golf GTI, itself known as a very heavy steer. Dave De Costa, the race instructor at Castle Combe said he felt it was too heavy when he drove it and he's no stranger to 7s.

I'm running Avon CR500s on the front at 21psi. What might cause heavy steering on my 7?

Cheers,

Joel

Edited by barchetta_boy on Wednesday 4th April 12:54

[Roadru77er]

Can't really throw any light on the situation. But bear in mind the lack of power steering is compounded by relatively wide? tyres and a very small steering wheel (lack of leverage)Early 7s (Lotus) often had slightly larger steering wheels (more leverage) and narrower tyres (155/165? then v 185+ now) wider tyre=more resistance my 7s (185/60x13 O21s @ 18psi) steering always feels heavy after I've driven the tin top!

Slightly O/T? a few years ago I test drove an MGB, I had owned one previously, on the test drive I found the steering VERY heavy and the gearbox awkward and tight I remember thinking "I don't remember them being this hard to drive" I bought the car and soon adapted to these foibles. Modern cars spoil us.

[Risky]

Check your castor. A lot of castor will make the steering feel heavy.

[barchetta_boy]

Thanks, will do.

[downsman]

My car has heavy steering when parking, but as soon as it is at a sensible speed I don't notice it being heavy at all.

The castor is adjusted by moving the lower wishbone forwards/backwards with washers, so shouldn't have changed.

Have you tried jacking up the front and using the steering. If it feels stiff it may be a stiff track rod end, steering rack problem or one of the ball joints on the uprights.

How is the self centring when you are driving? If there is too much friction you will find that it doesn't.

Hope these ideas help

[russelli]

I had to steepen the castor angle a few year ago for the same reason. had liked the heavier self staigtening feel of the steering for years until i started doing track days, my arms used to be falling off after 150 miles around cadwell, adjusting the castor sorted this. i moved one washer to achive the results.

[gpbox]

Mine is pretty heavier too, running CR500's, did the usual checks we figured its because I have a quick rack........

[buzzer]

Have a look to see if there is any lubrication in the steering rack... I drove a mates car once (a superlight) and the steering was MUCH heavier than my HPC.

I took the rack gaiters off and it was dry as a bone inside! We put a small amount of gear oil on the rack (hypoid 90 I think) and moved it side to side a few times, and then added a bit to each gaiter before putting the clips back on. This transformed the feel of the steering.

[Fishy Dave]

The steering column runs on two bushes HERE, which have a rubber outer and a smooth nylon inner. In my case the steering had got progressively stiffer and notchy and I found that both the nylon inners had broken away. Replace both the bushes and from time to time adding a little light oil to lube them has made a big difference to the steering at all speeds. Correcting or maintaining a slide can now involve letting the wheel slip through my fingers to get opposite lock on quickly.
Hope that helps, Dave

[Eugene7]

Have to say my steering is very light - wonderfully so.

Sounds like something is amiss with yours - all points seem to have been covered, so a day in the garage looks to be in order