VERY heavy steering

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Roge1
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Joined: 10 Mar 2011 10:51 pm

VERY heavy steering

Post by Roge1 » 19 Jun 2014 01:05 pm

Hey all,

After some more help/advice. The steering on my 85 340 has always been heavy but I'm now at the stage that I really need to do something about it - on the move it is fine, but slow speed activities, parking etc, take FAR more effort than they should! Is there a fault I should be aware of, is it a case or re-greasing, or does it just probably need to be replaced?? The obvious potential issues of wheels/tyres and suspension have all been investigated over the last few weeks, but nothing has made any difference.

Appreciate the guidance o mighty 300 owners.

Thanks

Roge1 340pw

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Chris_C
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Re: VERY heavy steering

Post by Chris_C » 19 Jun 2014 03:49 pm

Yup, there is something common, it's not a lovely job though :(

Have a look at this post
viewtopic.php?f=52&t=5953&start=420#p149329
'89(G) 340 GLE B172k
'03 S60 D5 SE, '91 (J) MX5, 1954 Cyclemaster
Ex:
'89(F) 340 GL F7R (ex B172k) - Fake -> SBKV 300 Runner Up 08, 12; '91(H) 340 GL B14.4E - Kar; '88(F) 360 GLT B200E - Jet -> BKV 300 Runner Up 09; '89(G) 360 GLT B200E - Beast

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bogbasic
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Re: VERY heavy steering

Post by bogbasic » 19 Jun 2014 05:15 pm

Interesting thread that - so its knackered top cups!
1988 340 1.4 GL, 218k, 5 door (Grey Bess). Gone to CBA.
1991 340 1.7 GL, 64k, 5 door, petrol blue (Deep Blue).
1988 360 2.0 GLE, 140k, 5 door, ocean blue metallic (Blue Bess).
1989 340 1.7 GL, 108k, 3 door (Red Ness).
More info here!

Roge1
Posts: 73
Joined: 10 Mar 2011 10:51 pm

Re: VERY heavy steering

Post by Roge1 » 19 Jun 2014 06:39 pm

Thanks Chris, another job on my to do list then!...

Roge1

classicswede
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Re: VERY heavy steering

Post by classicswede » 19 Jun 2014 07:33 pm

If the top mounts (the rubber part) is failing then the rubber binds against the top spring seat making the steering heavy. I would pull the struts off and investigate what is going on up there.

Again dry stiff ball joints and track rod ends will make the steering stiffer than it should be
Dai

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Chris_C
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Re: VERY heavy steering

Post by Chris_C » 20 Jun 2014 09:31 am

It's the combination as Dai says, but pretty much every 300 I've seen over 75,000 miles has had spring cups that show fatigue. It's one of my tests if I'm judging at the VOC shows, as it shows how well kept the car *actually* is as opposed to how well polished it is ;)

Currently I can think of 4 cars I've tested that I didn't knock marks off for, 2 of which were sub 50,000 miles :lol: :lol:

The bearing as designed runs on 2 horizontal surfaces, if either of those can run away, there is nothing to bear against and it's metal on metal.
'89(G) 340 GLE B172k
'03 S60 D5 SE, '91 (J) MX5, 1954 Cyclemaster
Ex:
'89(F) 340 GL F7R (ex B172k) - Fake -> SBKV 300 Runner Up 08, 12; '91(H) 340 GL B14.4E - Kar; '88(F) 360 GLT B200E - Jet -> BKV 300 Runner Up 09; '89(G) 360 GLT B200E - Beast

Ride_on
Posts: 2262
Joined: 26 May 2009 05:34 pm
Location: Belfast, N. Ireland

Re: VERY heavy steering

Post by Ride_on » 21 Jun 2014 02:42 pm

The 360 suspension is more prone to this sort of thing due to the extra weight, and perhaps the stiffer shocks, especilly if you uprate them (I think.. but havn't really analysed it). The bearing support can crack up/split, especially after a little corrosion. In mine this made the steering pull hard to one side after going full lock, this was fixed temnporarily by going to the other lock to recentre the bearing. The design looks weak to me, a thicker reinforcement might be in order for harder driving.

Another more unusual problem was a stiff rack in a 360, I think it may have been caused by a missing heat shield at the steering pinion and the case or rack warping.
1980 345 DL_______1987 360 GLE (project car restored to GLT spec and B230FT'd)
1984 360 GLT______1987 360 GLT
1983 360 GLS______1989 360 GLE
1985 340 GL_______1986 340 1.4
1985 360 GLS______1995 940 SE 2.3 Turbo Estate (daily)
1987 340 GL 1.7

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