Excessive Turn Left

[Roady]

Hi all,

 

I just noticed a steering issue with my Z.  Up until recently everything had been had been fine.  But yesterday reversed it out went to full lock (left) and heard a rubbing noise, hopped out and noted the tyre scrubbing on the tension control rod.  It has never done this before so I thought I’d check the other side, and this is where I noted the problem.

 

Turning left, I can turn the wheel approx 1.5 turns however to the right only 1.25 turns.  Now it is worth noting that when I experimented today, when I drove slowly and started turning, it hung up at 1.25 turns left but then actually pushed past that point without any more force.

 

I’m thinking there is an issue with the steering rack itself like it’s pushing beyond the stop or something (not even sure if this is possible).  I’m open to any ideas.

 

ADDITIONAL INFO:

This is a new problem, not previously experienced

Tie rods are equal thread (Well 2mm different, not enough to create this problem)

 

Wheel alignment is good - caster, camber and toe all similar between left and right.

 

Cheers

 

Jason

[Linton]

Had the exact same problem.. I had to do this , the rack is probably centre but the tie rods are adjusted offset to correct the alignment, then the steering wheel has been removed and re-centred. You need to count lock to lock as you have done, then remove the steering wheel and refit it it so the orientation is correct, then take it in for a wheel alignment, note the steering wheel will be off centre but in the correct position.... after the alignment it will be straight and lock to lock correct.

HTH Linton

Edited July 19, 2020 by Linton

[Roady]

Hi Linton,

 

Thanks for the quick reply.

I just checked on a spare rack I’ve got and it’s 2.7 turns from lock to lock.  Which is what I’ve got on the car but it’s hard to tell whether it’s the wheel hitting the tension rod or it’s reached the steering limit when it stops turning.

As I said the tie rods are pretty much exactly the same (in terms of thread count) so I thought for the car to drive straight, with a straight steering wheel (as it is now) the rack must be centred else the tie rods would be quite different (again could be wrong on this) to compensate for a crooked rack.

Also I don’t think this has previously been an issue otherwise I would have (or should have) noticed the rubbing noise every time I reversed out of the driveway as I go to full lock do get out.

 

edited: due to being an idiot and not being able to count number of turns on spare rack

Edited July 20, 2020 by Roady

[AndBir]

19 hours ago, Roady said:

Also I don’t think this has previously been an issue

You have not driven over a pothole or gutter recently?

[Roady]

No I haven’t.

 

What I’m actually thinking is the only change is actually new tyres (3 months ago (still 205/55R16 same as before) but these ones seem to be slightly different in shape as from my previous settings the tyre actually rubbed on the fender.  So what I’m leaning towards now is (as Linton suggested) but the problem has become evident since the tyre change and when it previously cleared everything by a couple of mm now it’s not enough??? This is the way I’m leaning at the moment that perhaps the problem has been there for years but went unnoticed with the previous tyres.

 

Is there a physical stop fitted as standard for these cars to keep the steering limit or is it literally once it reaches the end of the steering rack (that’s what stops you turning any further).

 

Cheers

Jason

Edited July 20, 2020 by Roady

[Linton]

no steering stops,  it is all in the rack  jack it up at the front and put it on full lock and check clearance each side i think you will find it is off centre

the only other thing it might be is a different rim offset on the front you said you had new tyres fitted, I know I cant run my rears on the front they hit the calipers

Edited July 20, 2020 by Linton

[Roady]

Definitely not rims (only changed tyres not rims - rims are all the same).

 

Thanks for the idea, I’ll stick with your first one and check into it.  If it’s the case I can’t believe I didn’t notice sooner!!

[Roady]

Thanks for all the advice, Linton you were right, but in fact it was the aftermarket boss kit that was off centre.... funnily enough I replaced 10 years ago and it’s never been picked up until these tyres scrubbed.

Unless when a mechanic swapped the rack over it wasn’t centred when he installed it - either way all sorted thanks for your help.