Another steering issue

[Blue ass fly]

Newbie here enjoying and improving my first se
I had heavy steering feel and play in the straight ahead position
After reading various posts here i decided to replace the lower uj as this seems to be the fix
I enjoyed a couple of hours upside down replacing it even though i couldnt fault the old one
Initially the play had gone even though the steering was still heavy , but i was please that the car didnt wander
After a few miles the play is back
- Ime a tech by trade so the job doesnt phase me but i dont want to start bolting £300 racks on if its not the problem
The upper uj is fine , i bought a decent uj , not a £7.00 cheapy and ime happy everything was assembled correctly
Any suggestions on where to go next appreciated
Thanks
Steve

[dapinky]

Hi Steve, welcome to LEC.

I saw that you have asked on Facebook about this, but I had no extra thoughts to post - hopefully someone will have a lightbulb moment to help you now.

My only thought is that Elans have quite a heavy steering system anyway (not much assistance from the PAS) - but that wouldn't explain why it was good for a while, and then went bad again.

I would sugest that a change of fluid *may* help - or at least, give you a known starting point of something to eliminate from the issue.

There are a couple of threads on here about taking up some slack in the rack by way of adjustment - have a look at this one - viewtopic.php?f=108&t=26781&p=342652&hilit=rack+adjustment#p342551

[Blue ass fly]

Hi dave
Thanks for responding
Yes, i posted on fb then thought i may get a better detailed response here
I downloaded the manual and have read the procedure on uj positions so i will check they're correct
I fitted the new one in the same way the old one was , but that may have been wrong
Ille have another pop at it in the week and post back , i dont think my back will take it today
Steve

[Simon_P]

Hi and welcome!

The rack is adjustable as Dave mentioned. It wears in the straight ahead position. It sounds like someone has overtightened the adjuster in an attempt to remove the slack making it tight either side of centre.

[Blue ass fly]

Hi Simon
Thanks for the welcome and info
It crossed my mind that someone has overdone it, its a common find on old steering boxes too
Someones definitely been in there because one of the nuts is missing from the cover on the bottom of the column
Ille double check the ujs are aligned and then slacken the rack adjustment and reset
Ime trying to cover everything before committing to a new rack
Steve