Heavy Steering

alx92 · Post by **alx92** » Thu Jun 23, 2011 9:14 pm

Hey guys, ive just noticed recently that the steering in my '90 L is pretty damn heavy. Like makes dads '88 tritons non-power steering feel light and sporty.
Ive also noticed thats its kinda jerky too, particularly on the highway. I know my L hasnt got power steering, and none of the various mechanical parts look like theyve been damaged or bent... I was just wonderin if this is a common thing in the L's or if i should investigate further...

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Thu Jun 23, 2011 9:28 pm

Flat tyre?

H-top · Post by **H-top** » Thu Jun 23, 2011 9:28 pm

how is the fluid level?

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Thu Jun 23, 2011 9:48 pm

alx92 wrote: I know my L hasnt got power steering

Hey H-Top ^^^

Now i will make a serious post

There is a large plug on the bottom of the rack that can be removed to adjust the preload on the rack gear. It is filled with grease.

It is possible that the grease has hardened and is forming lumps that is making it clunky

H-top · Post by **H-top** » Thu Jun 23, 2011 9:53 pm

how the hell did i get "Liberty" from "L is pretty"?!!

i hate dyslexia.

alx92 · Post by **alx92** » Thu Jun 23, 2011 10:28 pm

nahh the tyres are good, that was the first thing i checked... Bottom of the rack aye? ill check that in the morning

sven '2' · Post by **sven '2'** » Thu Jun 23, 2011 10:33 pm

Think also:

ball joints,

steering column bearings,

uni joint in steering column dry.

Brad_Stacey · Post by **Brad_Stacey** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 11:07 am

Also to do with the steering uni joint, it may be full of mud and dust.

PCD · Post by **PCD** » Thu Aug 04, 2011 12:25 am

Hi, my son just got his first car - a 2004 Impreza RX. All was going well until he turned a corner, heard a bang, and lost steering. His car crashed into a parked car and totalled his car. Has anyone heard of this happening before? If so, what should I look for? All help appreciated. My son (17) is absolutely gutted. Cheers

PCD · Post by **PCD** » Thu Aug 04, 2011 12:31 am

Hi, my son just got his first car - a 2004 Impreza RX. All was going well until he turned a corner, heard a bang, and lost steering. His car crashed into a parked car and totalled his car. Has anyone heard of this happening before? If so, what should I look for? All help appreciated. My son (17) is absolutely gutted. Cheers

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Thu Aug 04, 2011 12:46 am

I'd probably check the bottom end of the steering column to make sure that the steering knuckles are still ok.

I've not heard of subarus losing their steering unless you're doing something very wrong - like hitting curbs or nosing into embankments (like my sister did - broke the rack!) while sideways...

I don't mean to sound like you're son's a liar but has he told you everything that he was doing at the time? I was young once too and I did foolish things that my parents wouldn't have approved of at the time (or now for that matter!) but I was lucky that nothing screwed up that they needed to know about...
17 - probably took a corner too fast in the carpark

Cheers

Bennie

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Thu Aug 04, 2011 9:27 am

Original poster - top of the struts have a bearing that can jam up in other makes - why not subies? And ball joints can do same like hold the turn against your will.

Dad, do an autopsy on the car? Does injury look consistant with speed limt of the area? Components can be conveniently blamed if they broke on impact as a contributor. Resarch in here as someones missus had similar incident - like steering locked up ???

PCD · Post by **PCD** » Sun Aug 07, 2011 10:03 am

Thanks Bernie, I'll have that checked out.

We've actually got an independent witness who saw the whole thing and says that my son wasn't speeding or doing anythin stupid. One possibility we are investigating is that he managed to stall the car while changing gears turning the corner - and whether this led to the steering lock going on, or the steering become so heavy that he though that the steering had gone.

Many thanks,

Peter

PCD · Post by **PCD** » Sun Aug 07, 2011 10:13 am

Thanks For that.

An independent witness says my son wasn't speeding or hooning. I did do a limited autopsy and the damage is quite extensive, but then again he did hit an older parked Landcruiser. While the Subaroo's crumple zone worked admirably, all the Landcruiser got was a slight dent on it's rear bumper.

Cheers, Peter

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