Steering Problems

[colinhewett]

My wedge's (350i 1987)steering has started feeling very stiff and jerky in use??

I suspect that the steering rack has a problem, has anybody else had this trouble or have any alternative suggestions?

If I need a new rack, how easy is it to convert to Power Steering (wife is nagging).

[shpub]

Could also be the UJs as well.

As for a PAS upgrade... the PAS cars had a different chassis that did not obstruct the bigger mechanism on the PAS rack. AS a result the rack won't fit on a manual chassis unless you cut and shut the tube which is not a good thing IMHO.

Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk

[colinhewett]

Thanks Steve,

Did not think of UJ's will have a look at them.

Knew it would not be that easy as to add a few bits, will tell wife (Maybe the excuse to trade up for a 400/450 with PAS).

>> Edited by colinhewett on Friday 17th May 16:33

[ANDYM]

My 400 just failed the MOT on the same thing, although it has power steering it had become very stiff and jerky, and in a way i was glad it failed! forced me into fixing it! apparantly there was play in the lower U/J and the spline from the rack had some play in it so the rack is off to be rebuilt I would go for the cheaper U/J checks first.

[ab280]

Had the same problem - new UJ's sorted it. The one in the wheel arch gets plenty of dirt from the front wheel and should be kept well greased.

Andrew

[Wedg1e]

Current 'best practise' suggests that the best way to make the upper column UJ last is to create some kind of condom for it to keep the road crud off. I've seen two steering rack gaiters, bicycle inner tubes and similar devices nominated. I've used the inner tubes with some success.
It probably isn't a briliant idea to clag loads of grease on the UJ, as this causes dirt to stick, which in turn aggravates the wear...

W.