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Steering changing direction randomly also a little loose 

 

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 Post subject: Steering changing direction randomly also a little loose
Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2011 5:51 pm 
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Ride: 97 EL XR6

Location: Melbourne
VIC, Australia

Has anyone had this problem on their EL's?

If so how do you fix this?

Cheers
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 Post subject: Re: Steering changing direction randomly also a little loose
Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2011 6:10 pm 
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plper1 wrote:
Has anyone had this problem on their EL's?

If so how do you fix this?

Cheers


Only if it's a really rough surface, tram tracks or road works where the road has been dug up. But this is only due to the road dragging the wheels slightly...not so much that the car changes lanes but you can feel the tyre being sort of stuck.

 

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EL XR6 motor, EL ECU + J3 chip, WADE 1673 Camshaft, 3" S/S intake, Pacy 4480, 2.5" Hi flow cat, 2.5" Lukey exhaust.
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 Post subject: Re: Steering changing direction randomly also a little loose
Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2011 6:13 pm 
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Age: 36

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Ride: 97 EL XR6

Location: Melbourne
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phongus wrote:
plper1 wrote:
Has anyone had this problem on their EL's?

If so how do you fix this?

Cheers


Only if it's a really rough surface, tram tracks or road works where the road has been dug up. But this is only due to the road dragging the wheels slightly...not so much that the car changes lanes but you can feel the tyre being sort of stuck.



Yeah I get alot, but when it does do it the steering seems really loose. Is there any way I can fix this or could reducing the power steering aid help this a little bit?
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 Post subject: Re: Steering changing direction randomly also a little loose
Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2011 6:36 pm 
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Ride: EL Fairmont, VFR400 racer

Power: 144 rwkw

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VIC, Australia

plper1 wrote:
phongus wrote:
plper1 wrote:
Has anyone had this problem on their EL's?

If so how do you fix this?

Cheers


Only if it's a really rough surface, tram tracks or road works where the road has been dug up. But this is only due to the road dragging the wheels slightly...not so much that the car changes lanes but you can feel the tyre being sort of stuck.



Yeah I get alot, but when it does do it the steering seems really loose. Is there any way I can fix this or could reducing the power steering aid help this a little bit?


If the steering is really loose, might be the intermediate shaft on its way out. If I remember correctly, they don't sell those new anymore and any second hand ones might be just as bad. I just live with it...

 

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phongus = Post whore 2006
EL XR6 motor, EL ECU + J3 chip, WADE 1673 Camshaft, 3" S/S intake, Pacy 4480, 2.5" Hi flow cat, 2.5" Lukey exhaust.
Max Power = 144.6 rwkw (03/05/2008)

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 Post subject: Re: Steering changing direction randomly also a little loose
Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2011 11:51 pm 
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have it checked as their are a few parts that wear out.

 

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 Post subject: Re: Steering changing direction randomly also a little loose
Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2011 2:04 am 
Getting Side Ways
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There is actually a preload setting under the steering rack.. you take this big lock ring off and tension the preload spring cover it's around as per the manual.. I did that to the wifes and together with the tie rod ends it made all the diff.
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 Post subject: Re: Steering changing direction randomly also a little loose
Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2011 10:13 am 
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Thanks guys
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 Post subject: Re: Steering changing direction randomly also a little loose
Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2011 1:39 am 
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frankieh wrote:
There is actually a preload setting under the steering rack.. you take this big lock ring off and tension the preload spring cover it's around as per the manual.. I did that to the wifes and together with the tie rod ends it made all the diff.


What did you use to get the big lock ring off? i've been meaning to do that but I think it's about 46mm and nothing fits.

 

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 Post subject: Re: Steering changing direction randomly also a little loose
Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2011 3:46 am 
Getting Side Ways
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I don't remember to be honest, It may have been multi grips to get the lock ring off.

I chopped a wheel mag nut in half as it is the same size and shape as the indentation in the actual round plate and then put a socket on that so I could apply the torque wrench..

worked well.
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 Post subject: Re: Steering changing direction randomly also a little loose
Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2011 5:49 pm 
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Ok, problem solved.

I talked to my mechanic and he said that the loose steering and the tracking is due to a combination of things.

First - I have an XR6 which came stock with a negative camber.
Second - I lowered my car, which generally increases the negative camber and changes the castor
Third - The E-series was never designed to accomodate wider wheels, which again further alters the camber and castor
Fourth - The wheel alignment was out, not just the toe in/out, but the castor and camber as well.

Therefore he told me to get a castor/camber kit, which adjusts the neg camber and the castor.

After which the front needed a proper wheel alignment, not one from your regular Bob Jane or Beaurepairs, according to my mechanic most of these places only do toe in/out adjustments and dont have any other equipment to adjust the castor or camber. He sent me to a wheel alignment specialist who had the proper equipment to adjust all three variables. i.e. toe in/out, castor and camber.

Got them all done today and man what a difference. The car barely tracks and the steering feels way more meaty. Even when I go over bumbs the steering wheel doesnt shake.

The wheels alignment guys said that even with the camber/castor kit I still had too much negative camber, therefore they had to put in extra shims to even it out.
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 Post subject: Re: Steering changing direction randomly also a little loose
Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2011 6:27 pm 
Getting Side Ways
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First - I have an XR6 which came stock with a negative camber.
Second - I lowered my car, which generally increases the negative camber and changes the castor
Third - The E-series was never designed to accomodate wider wheels, which again further alters the camber and castor
Fourth - The wheel alignment was out, not just the toe in/out, but the castor and camber as well.

that will do it,with it lowered below xr height,whats the castor now?

 

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 Post subject: Re: Steering changing direction randomly also a little loose
Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2011 6:40 pm 
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Location: Melbourne
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You mean in terms of adjustments i.e. numbers.

Sorry man got no idea.
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 Post subject: Re: Steering changing direction randomly also a little loose
Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2011 6:57 pm 
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plper1 wrote:
You mean in terms of adjustments i.e. numbers.

Sorry man got no idea.

my guys give you a print out,so i can see any changes.why i asked,my xr8s on stock ride,i had -3.5 deg both sides.after a kit i had -1 deg. and ran out of threads.20-22mm of shims to get -1deg,you went lower.

 

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 Post subject: Re: Steering changing direction randomly also a little loose
Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2011 12:16 am 
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Yep, should always get a print out of before and after.

 

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