Discussion
About 5 weeks ago the steering on my Griff became vague with a definite tight spot around the dead ahead position. The problem was diagnosed as the steering UJs. My garage did a quick fix but the problem returned in the 10 mins it took to drive home. The car is now booked in for replacing both UJs. HOWEVER I sprayed WD40 all over the UJs last night and drove for 40 mins and it all felt fine.
Would you recommend having the work done anyway or does this experience just demonstrate that I should be lubricating the UJs regularly i.e. will replacement UJs just show the same symptoms after a few months? (13500ml Griff 5 yrs old original UJs but only owned by me for 6 mths)
TIA
Would you recommend having the work done anyway or does this experience just demonstrate that I should be lubricating the UJs regularly i.e. will replacement UJs just show the same symptoms after a few months? (13500ml Griff 5 yrs old original UJs but only owned by me for 6 mths)
TIA
WD40 is a thin penetrating oil. I would imagine that spraying this on your uj's has removed old grease and dirt freeing them up. BUT it will also remove any grease that was in or had been applied to the joints!!
now you've cleaned them out apply more clean grease to prevent wear.
Its a good tip though, I'll watch for it in mine!
>> Edited by Guillotine on Sunday 5th May 12:58
now you've cleaned them out apply more clean grease to prevent wear.
Its a good tip though, I'll watch for it in mine!
>> Edited by Guillotine on Sunday 5th May 12:58
quote:
About 5 weeks ago the steering on my Griff became vague with a definite tight spot around the dead ahead position. The problem was diagnosed as the steering UJs. My garage did a quick fix but the problem returned in the 10 mins it took to drive home. The car is now booked in for replacing both UJs. HOWEVER I sprayed WD40 all over the UJs last night and drove for 40 mins and it all felt fine.
Would you recommend having the work done anyway or does this experience just demonstrate that I should be lubricating the UJs regularly i.e. will replacement UJs just show the same symptoms after a few months? (13500ml Griff 5 yrs old original UJs but only owned by me for 6 mths)
TIA
Oiling/greasing the UJ is a temporary fix, the problem will keep coming back and you need a new UJ - probably just the top one. Fit a gator to protect the UJ and it will last a lot longer. A steering rack end gator is ideal.
BTW WD40 is primarily a water dispersant rather than an oil, so it's not the best choice. Ordinary oil is better.
Cheers,
Peter Humphries (and a green V8S)
Thanks v much for the replies. Whilst it seems I do need new UJs, is it at all unsafe to continue driving as they are? I am inclined to think that anything defective should be replaced asap especially anything involved in the steering. The trouble is it feels absolutely fine and a bit of oil is far cheaper than replacing them.
I think i'm right in saying there is probably not much difference between the V8S and the Griff in this department (then again!!) I hope there not that expensive as mines due to be replaced aa part of the service tomorrow, been quoted approx £30-50 for the part plus fitting, the price range is due to the fact there are quite a few variants fitted so until its sighted by the mechanic not sure which one. I'll let you know the final price tomorrow.
Harry
Harry
Good news and bad, service completed 
however the garage didn't consider the upper UJ needed replacing on this occasion , just me being a bit too fussy apparently. Did enquire again about the price, £30-50 for the bits (assuming only the upper UJ) still holds true and about 1 hours labour. I hope this helps?
Harry
however the garage didn't consider the upper UJ needed replacing on this occasion , just me being a bit too fussy apparently. Did enquire again about the price, £30-50 for the bits (assuming only the upper UJ) still holds true and about 1 hours labour. I hope this helps? Harry
I had the same problem on my Griff. Oiling helped initially, but the problem came back after a month or so. Had both new top and bottom UJs fitted on the last service and I was really surprised at the improvement it made to the steering feel. Probably depends how far gone they are, but I found it was well worth it.
quote:
quote:
About 5 weeks ago the steering on my Griff became vague with a definite tight spot around the dead ahead position. The problem was diagnosed as the steering UJs. My garage did a quick fix but the problem returned in the 10 mins it took to drive home. The car is now booked in for replacing both UJs. HOWEVER I sprayed WD40 all over the UJs last night and drove for 40 mins and it all felt fine.
Would you recommend having the work done anyway or does this experience just demonstrate that I should be lubricating the UJs regularly i.e. will replacement UJs just show the same symptoms after a few months? (13500ml Griff 5 yrs old original UJs but only owned by me for 6 mths)
TIA
Oiling/greasing the UJ is a temporary fix, the problem will keep coming back and you need a new UJ - probably just the top one. Fit a gator to protect the UJ and it will last a lot longer. A steering rack end gator is ideal.
BTW WD40 is primarily a water dispersant rather than an oil, so it's not the best choice. Ordinary oil is better.
Cheers,
Peter Humphries (and a green V8S)
If I wanted to order a steering rack gaitor for the steering joint, is there a particular one that fits well? i.e. off a particular car?
cheers
When you fit them, I have been advised, make sure you pack them with grease. Otherwise they can trap moisture which I guess is a very bad thing.
Just got my car back and I have to admit the steering does feel tighter and more accurate. I replaced both top and lower UJ's although probably only the top one needed doing (sod's law would cause the lower one to seize 5 mins later anyway).
>> Edited by GarryM on Tuesday 14th May 13:27
Just got my car back and I have to admit the steering does feel tighter and more accurate. I replaced both top and lower UJ's although probably only the top one needed doing (sod's law would cause the lower one to seize 5 mins later anyway).
>> Edited by GarryM on Tuesday 14th May 13:27
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