HELP: Light steering, sways past 35 mph, hard to control, spinin out

[sam2kk8]

Ep82 on bc coilovers..

Basically i remember up untill when we had the really bad snow I was doing around 45mph on moterway and slowed down as I spotted a few patches of black ice..so going around 33mph now and It still spun the car so I was facing the opposite way..I know its common to skid but I've drove other cars in it and never that bad..
Had the tracking done as it started pulling to one side..
Anyway up untill a few weeks ago my steerings gone very very light (it will go stiff for say 2mins in every hour of driving) and once hitting 35+ the car will start swaying (not pulling) as if its on ice..

I had a look myself and couldn't find anything
Took to Kwikfit to ask if the tracking was out and they said its not that and there's nothing wrong with anythingi.e. Shocks, wishbones etc..

Took it back a week later and they put it with the mot testing and basically put pressure on all the bushes and tried to identify problem but they couldn't find anything wrong.

They said it could be 2 things:
Where I stripped the rear..
I upset the coilovers and I should consider getting them setup properly (this is them quessing tho)

When the tracking was done I was told the balljoints leaking a bit and the hub passenger sides been bent back a tiny fraction..
There's the tinyest rip a small wishbone gaiter..but surley this would make it handle this bad!?

Sorry for all the writing but just wanted to make everything clear..

 

[dac69er]

take it to a decent mechanic and not kwikfit for a start.

replace any steering components that seem worn or damaged. have the topmounts of the coilovers been fitted the wrong way? if you have too much castor in the wrong direction it will be seriously light when you get some speed up.

check all this and then get the tracking done again and it should be fine.

 

[socks]

sounds like somthings bent mate, as tracking is usually the cause of this!

 

[Paul_JJ]

Ep82 on bc coilovers..

Basically i remember up untill when we had the really bad snow I was doing around 45mph on moterway and slowed down as I spotted a few patches of black ice..so going around 33mph now and It still spun the car so I was facing the opposite way..I know its common to skid but I've drove other cars in it and never that bad..
Had the tracking done as it started pulling to one side..
Anyway up untill a few weeks ago my steerings gone very very light (it will go stiff for say 2mins in every hour of driving) and once hitting 35+ the car will start swaying (not pulling) as if its on ice..

I had a look myself and couldn't find anything
Took to Kwikfit to ask if the tracking was out and they said its not that and there's nothing wrong with anythingi.e. Shocks, wishbones etc..

Took it back a week later and they put it with the mot testing and basically put pressure on all the bushes and tried to identify problem but they couldn't find anything wrong.

They said it could be 2 things:
Where I stripped the rear..
I upset the coilovers and I should consider getting them setup properly (this is them quessing tho)

When the tracking was done I was told the balljoints leaking a bit and the hub passenger sides been bent back a tiny fraction..
There's the tinyest rip a small wishbone gaiter..but surley this would make it handle this bad!?

Sorry for all the writing but just wanted to make everything clear..

When was the powersteering fluid last changed? or is it still original??? Use dexron III. Is the fluid level ok???

 

[Valdas]

feels like my car not as bad but i8 know i have rear axel thats bend so check that out

 

[corofin12345]

sounds like the problem im having.. my steering rack is goosed... fine one minute, pull left the next ans sways as you said.. my tracking is spot on

 

[Paul_JJ]

sounds like the problem im having.. my steering rack is goosed... fine one minute, pull left the next ans sways as you said.. my tracking is spot on

Which is normally caused by poor maintenance. Nobody never change the power steering fluid when service their cars!

But if it's still fine for a short period of time - I would give it a go and replace the fluid - you never know what can happen.....

 

[dac69er]

its not exactly made to be replaced. there is no drain plug or anything. all you can do is pop off a pipe and drian it that way.

 

[Paul_JJ]

its not exactly made to be replaced. there is no drain plug or anything. all you can do is pop off a pipe and drian it that way.

It's a 10 min job if you have a pump! Well there is a way actually - you can unplug the return pipe while topping up the fluid - this way you will replace the fluid - 1L of Dexron III will be more than enough! But this way you have to be careful and provide sufficient top ups - DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK as if you starve the pump the steering rack will have to be replaced!

I don't do it this way as I have a pump!

Another way:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2175985_flush-power-steering-fluid.html

And after you replace the fluid - you need to make sure the ignition is off - make sure the PS Reservoir has no cap, jack up the front of the car and turn the steering wheel all the way left then all the way right (about 5 times) this will get all the air out off the system - make sure the engine is not running but you have the ignition key in ON position!

If your fluid hasn't been replaced for years - you will notice a massive difference!!! The steering will be light and the steering rack will last longer!

 

[dac69er]

having the ignition on or off wont affect anything on the steering rack on a starlet. you either have it running or not as its all mechanical with no electronics controlling it.

 

[Paul_JJ]

having the ignition on or off wont affect anything on the steering rack on a starlet. you either have it running or not as its all mechanical with no electronics controlling it.

Ha - try to steer the steering wheel with the ignition off -)))))))))) won't affect anything - LOL - you need the ignition off to get rid of the air inside!

 

[Rory]

Engine off mabey, but as Dunc said, theres no electronics controlling the power steering...

Ha - try to steer the steering wheel with the ignition off -)))))))))) won't affect anything - LOL - you need the ignition off to get rid of the air inside!

 

[Paul_JJ]

Engine off mabey, but as Dunc said, theres no electronics controlling the power steering...

There isn't indeed! But on my experience the air will stay in the system if you turn the wheels with the engine/pump running! - Try it, I've changed the fluid about 5 times on my cars! To completely get rid of air the engine must be off - also says in my books - service manual for Starlets!

How about the brakes? do you flash your brakes with the engine running as well??? there isn't any electronics controlled system if you have no abs!

 

[corofin12345]

Which is normally caused by poor maintenance. Nobody never change the power steering fluid when service their cars!

But if it's still fine for a short period of time - I would give it a go and replace the fluid - you never know what can happen.....

im sorry but are you implying that i dont maintain my car properly?? cheek of ya... do you not think ive tried to solve this problem..? how do i know my steering rack is goosed??? yes, cause ive troubleshooted the situation!! you remind me of that egit from oz sometimes so you do.. dont you come on here and say that i dont maintain my car properly :slap:

 

[Paul_JJ]

im sorry but are you implying that i dont maintain my car properly?? cheek of ya... do you not think ive tried to solve this problem..? how do i know my steering rack is goosed??? yes, cause ive troubleshooted the situation!! you remind me of the egit from oz sometimes so you do.. dont you come on here and say that i dont maintain my car properly :slap:

Sorry mate -) Only trying to help! How long have you had your car for?

 

[corofin12345]

Sorry mate -) Only trying to help! How long have you had your car for?

3 years and i built it from the ground up! have been maintaining others for years

 

[Paul_JJ]

3 years and i built it from the ground up! have been maintaining others for years

Thx for a negative rep!!!! Seriously just wanted to help, I didn't say your name did I? I said NOBODY never change the power steering fluid when service their cars! Did you actually change it before during those 3 years? I bet you didn't, but thanks for a negative rep!!!

 

[corofin12345]

Thx for a negative rep!!!! Seriously just wanted to help, I didn't say your name did I? I said NOBODY never change the power steering fluid when service their cars! Did you actually change it before during those 3 years? I bet you didn't, but thanks for a negative rep!!!

there you go again saying i didnt do so!!..do you be with me when i service my car?? i have changed it twice actually.. once while re fitting the engine and again when i fitted a new belt and will be doing it for the third time when i replace my steering rack.. if you want a the full list of what i do every 10k ill be happy to tell ya.. do you service your turbo?? do you check to see if the turbo is getting oil?? do you check the used oil for metal filings?? do you perform a full diagnostic test every 10k?? do you check for healty compression every 10k?? i could go on and ive no doubt you dont do the above checks so how can you come on here and say "poor maintenance"...

 

[GI BOY]

3 years and i built it from the ground up! have been maintaining others for years

what power is she puttin out now lad after all that time??

 

[weeJohn]

http://www.ehow.com/how_2175985_flush-power-steering-fluid.html

And after you replace the fluid - you need to make sure the ignition is off - make sure the PS Reservoir has no cap, jack up the front of the car and turn the steering wheel all the way left then all the way right (about 5 times) this will get all the air out off the system - make sure the engine is not running but you have the ignition key in ON position!

Thats a generic post about general power steering systems, the EP system does not have a filter on it for a start. I am not saying it wont work but I dont believe it to be correct.

Here is a copy from the Haynes manual for the 92 - 97 Corolla, its a close to the EP as you are going to get.

I dont want to spam this thread up any more, but even as you said yourself Paul, changing the fluid will improve the operation of the system by making it lighter. The guys problem is it is to light and he is unable to control the car. Now lets move on please.