Hi my Series 3 has developed a steering issue.
When driving and turning the steering wheel there is a delay/ hesitation before car turns.Also although wheels self centre the steering wheel does not.It can forced by “jerking” the steering wheel back it place.
Ideas please.

 

Almost certainly failed rack and pinion bushings. That's the first place to look, at least.

Cheers
DD

 

Thank you.Will put on hoist and check

 

Also check the lower steering column. The double axle joint sometimes begins to wear and goes stiff.

 

Thank you.
I will check whilst on the hoist.

 

Look for the fixing bolt through the bottom coupler while you're there. This is where the lower steering shaft connects to the input shaft of the rack. If the bolt has gone missing, the spline connection may be so worn as to start slipping-not good.

Dave

 

Thanks Dave and you all.
We checked everything whilst on mates hoist.
Nothing is obviously loose or worn etc and not loosing fluids.
Will drive carefully to next town where a “ friendly “ mechanic will fit a new pump and check the rest.
Thanks again
Woodsy

 

Damaged/missing spline(s) where the steering wheel attaches to the column perhaps?

Many years ago, when I was a mechanic, a customer complained of the same thing on an MGB GT. Turned out he had used a mallet to force on a ‘sports’ steering wheel that had a different spline pattern and damaged both the wheel and the column. Turning the steering wheel became a rather hit and miss affair.

I’m not suggesting you’ve done the same, just an anecdote re the symptoms .

 

Did you turn the steering wheel while it was on the hoist and observe the rack? Almost certainly, the rack bushings have failed, and the rack itself is moving until it hits the bracket and then once it stopped, then the car starts to turn. If the rack moves when the steering wheel is turned, then the bushings have failed.

 

Hi Guys
We have success.It turned to be as Doug suggested, "failed rack and pinion bushings"
Bushings replaced and all is well.
MANY THANKS to you all
Woodsy

 

It's a rather curious fact that the rack bushings are designed to allow the body of the rack to move slightly left/right when steering the car. This is part of the design that give such wonderful refinement to the car. Here in the UK with our dreaded "MOT Test", (a roadworthiness test), I once had an inspector wanting to refuse the car a certificate because the rack was moving. I had to point out to him the limit stops on the rack that allowed the rack to move on its mounts. Of course if the mounts themselves fail, the rack moves rather too readily, (the design whilst allowing movement, also provides some resistance to it).
I converted to polybush mounts and wished I hadn't as the steering refinement was never the same afterwards. These cars were never designe for going round corners on two wheels, or attending track days, they were designed as "gentlemens express carriages". If you want a sports car buy something else !