Heavy Steering Overnight?

[mckln335]

Hi people, for some reason, i got into my car yesterday and the steering felt rigid and heavy. I have checked the tyre pressures, which were a bit low, so i pumped them up and this has made no difference. I came back from work on Tuesday and they were fine. Come wednesday, i almost ploughed someone over, as normally when taking a junction, the steering corrects itself, but now you have to do it yourself. I dont have power steering, and the car is a 1100 Fiesta 96 HCS.

[Jon GT2]

The steering column Universal Joint is seized and needs replacing.

[mckln335]

How certain are you mate? Is it expensive/b*****d of a job to do? How long have i got and what would happen if i left it?

[Conian]

Is the car power steering? If so, could be part of that going wrong.

I got a new steering column thing for my 944.. er.. i think it was about 80 quid... yuo can fit them yourself if you have good ramps/axl stands etc, but it wouldnt take a mechanic long to slot it in if it is that.

[plfrench]

mckln335 said:

How certain are you mate? Is it expensive/b*****d of a job to do? How long have i got and what would happen if i left it?

No time left at all by the sound of it, if you are struggling to not run people over!!

That and a new starter motor probably imminent, it might be time to think about a new car unless you've got sentimental attachment!!

[mckln335]

In reply to Conian, no it is not power steering. Erm, i suppose driving through 3 foot of floodwater didnt help, hence why the starter is playing up i would imagine. I would like another car, but i have a couple of problems:

a) Cash - Aint got a lot of it
b) Time - Aint got a lot of it (Work from 8.30 til 8 4 days a week)
c) I desperately need a car, as i cant get to 1 job, let alone the other without one, and i certainly am not pushbiking 7 miles everyday to bloody work!
d) Insurance - I am 19, so i will royally get fcucked over if i attempt to drive anything over 500cc

Can i make it last until next april do you think people?

Edited by mckln335 on Monday 20th August 13:57

[Conian]

Just checked ya profile... fiesta or escort.. either way you could get a steering column from a scrappy if yours has seized... but you could try WD40'ing the feck out of the joints on yours then applying some grease.

Yeah make it last then send it to the great ford rubbish dump in the sky

[mckln335]

Its for the fiesta. The cars just done over 100 thou, but i know the HCS engines are pretty good although they rattle a fair bit. The car itself is pretty sound, only rust is on the offside back arch, which is common anyway. It is sound underneath, and flew through the last MOT with a bald tyre and an offside wishbone. So basically any part which the steering is connected to, just oil/grease the crap out of it pretty much?

[Jon GT2]

They used to be pretty cheap around £20ish not sure what they are now,the only important thing if you do change it is to mark it and line it up correctly or the steering wheel will be rather offline,and i'm 99% sure im right.

[mckln335]

How long have i got until it is totally fckucked? And if i were to leave it, will i just eventually have no steering?

[Jon GT2]

Not long by the sound of it and eventually they either fall apart so no steering or they seize completely so no steering,neither option is good.I cant put a timeframe on it as it would be dangerous for me to advise anything other than changing it.

[mckln335]

Ok John, thank you very much, your help is much appreciated, i will have to see about getting it done, possibly this weekend perhaps.

[mckln335]

According to my nextdoor neighbour but one, the steering rack is on its way out, so thatll have to be done this weekend. Also the starter motor started making horrendous noises. Why does it have to do this just before i go on holiday? How much will it be for a steering rack from the scrappy? Cheers for your help guys.

[plfrench]

How is he so sure? Has he taken it apart? JonGT2 is a Ford Main Dealer Manager and he knows his stuff, so when he says he's 99% sure it's the UV joint, I'd be careful before changing something else...

[Jon GT2]

I hope he is right matey,if he is and its non power steering they should be fairly cheap from a factors.

[mckln335]

We had the car up on a jack and took the wheel off, he checked all the ball joints and that and says it wasnt that. We then put the car up on the ramps and he checked for play in the other joints. He came to the conclusion that it was the rack that was gone. Just rung a local scrappy and they said they are going to try and sort one out for me.

[Jon GT2]

You need to dissconect the uj from the rack to check it properly but hopefully it will be ok, at least the rack should be cheap from a scrappy.The uj is on the shaft that connects the steering wheel shaft assy to the steering rack,you will need to dissconect it to change the rack so worth checking at the same time make sure you move the uj in both its directions of travel.

Edited by Jon GT2 on Tuesday 21st August 10:56

[mckln335]

Not sure whether he did this, i know he took the ties off the rubber to check the joint underneath but not sure which joint this was. I know this bloke knows what he is talking about, as he has done cars for years and even built trikes and stuff, but obviously i wouldnt undermime johns opinion either. Either way it has to get sorted, because i need a car.

[Jon GT2]

I dont mind im not always right,its my educated opinion thats all.Either way you should be able to get it sorted while your doing the rack.

[mckln335]

I appreciate all opinions, as i myself am merely a DIY/bodge mechanic. Will the UV Joint need replacing if this s the case, or can it be adjusted/refurbished.