Rotational Play in steering???

[Pumairl]

Does anyone know what a fix to this is.... as my LC was failed this morning in it's NCT/MOT for rotational play in its steering...which the tester said they think there was something in the steering column shaft....anyone ever hear of this before? Granted.. it did take three of them to finally come up with what it was being failed for...

 

[Rob Cowell]

I think they mean you turn the steering wheel a little bit and the front wheels don't move. There's not much in the shaft that could do this. Look inside the front wheel arch where the shaft comes through the bulkhead, it has a splined join which is clamped shut. Make sure there is no play there. There's also a small universal joint a bit further down, check play there. And finally where the shaft joins the steering rack.

Other than that check the steering rack is mounted tightly. Get someone to turn the wheel while you hold the rack. Does it move? Could be knackered bushes. They're a pig to change!

If not that something in the rack itself?

You'd hope a garage would know if it was something as simple as tie-rods.

If all else fails get it tested somewhere else? Good luck!

 

[Shayne]

Simple things first , top up the steering fluid , perhaps over fill a little . Over inflate your front tyres so they are easier to turn and take it back , you never know they might just tick the box .

 

[Pumairl]

Thanks for that Rob & Shayne, will do those checks....

 

[Pumairl]

Fix for this was the universal joint dismantle and rebuild and greased up and tightened... all better now.. even cured a slight wheel wobble under heavy braking from high speeds...