has anybody ever had issues where the steering requires uneven pressure because the universal joint is too compressed such that the steering has tight or harder sections when rotating the steering wheel?

 

Hi, I had exactly the symptoms you describe but the reason was that the uv-joint had started to bind due to corrosion inside. Some workout with penetrating oil on the removed uv joint sorted that..

 

Thanks Sventek.

 

Lumpy steering can also be caused by the system not being bled properly but will usually self bleed with use. Otherwise remove the bleed plug & bleed. Turn the steering from lock to lock at least 5 times.

Did you regrease the top plunging CV joint & fit a new lower UJ?

I note you were complaining of play in the steering the other day. Did you replace the nylon rollers in the top joint?

 

Thanks Glyn. I didnt take the top CV apart - it felt tight with no sign of play so I thought it was OK but Sventek's comment has made me wonder whether it might need freeing up.
I guess air in the system is quite possible but I have done lock to lock quite a few times and thought that would have done the bleed.
I will investigate further. Thanks for the ideas.
Cheers, Tim

 

My top CV joint (I had 2) looked fine externally with the boot intact but when I opened it the grease had lost all it's oil & was solid & the plastic rollers were worn to the degree that they were allowing some metal to metal contact.

Not as bad as this but nevertheless. This one had worn through the case hardening on the round outer steel housing.

 

Hmmm ... I will remove the column and have a look. Cheers

 

Try and save your aluminium gaiter clamps. They are no longer available. Zip ties also do the trick but don't look original. Depends on how fussed you are about originality. Grease CV joint with 3% Moly grease.

Column kit.