Could wheel rub = steering binding??

toddu · 05-03-2008, 01:38 PM

I'm trying to diagnos a case of steering binding. Only happened once, but was scary, so trying to see where the issue is before it happens again.

I had the steering rack out before, and put it back in with spacers (bump steer kit). Thought maybe my u-joints were binding. With the front end up, I can turn lock to lock with no issues, feels the same through out. U-joint don't appear to be binding from an angle perspective.

The happended to me while I was turning right off of a main street onto another. When I was poking around, I noticed pretty bad wheel rub marks caused be the inside, back part of the wheel, on the inside of the wheel well (so, the trunk side).

Turning all the way to the right, I can get the wheel to touch.

Could this possible be felt as steering binding? When it happened, the steering was very hard to turn back. I actually got off in the grass a bit, but the wheel straightened back up, and drove/steered fine after the fact.

Todd

toddu · 05-04-2008, 05:34 AM

Any thoughts on this? I need to order some parts today, and wondering if I should go ahead and order some spacers? I have spacers already, but apparently I need a little bigger.

Todd

toddu · 05-04-2008, 11:12 AM

No love today????

Todd

Laneco · 05-04-2008, 11:20 AM

Todd,

When the front wheels rub, especially if they rub on the inside, it can make the steering wheel feel as if it locked - very surprising amount of resistance. We have one car that does this and I'll correct it by replacing the tires with a set that has a smaller overall diameter. On my particular car, that will gain the clearance I need.

Definately try spacers and if necessary, there is a steering rack add-on that will keep the wheels from turning too far (and rubbing). The downside is that it does increase your turning radius - but it will work.

I would do the spacers along time before the rack and keep the standard turning radius/maneuverabilty of a street driven car.

angela

toddu · 05-04-2008, 11:44 AM

Finally, some love!!!! ;-)

Appreciate it Angela, makes me feel better.

Todd

sww914 · 11:57 AM

When you install rack spacers you must remove the pinch bolt in the bottom U joint and replace it with a 6mm grade 10.8 bolt and a nylock nut with washers. After you have removed the bolt you should spread the U joint a little bit with a large screwdriver to allow the U joint to slide up the shaft. The 8mm bolt that was originally installed sits in a groove in the shaft and won't allow the U joint to move up or down the shaft very much.
You can achieve the same result by loosening every U joint bolt and moving the U joints as far on the shafts as possible, this will create enough space, but it is much easier to just replace the bottom bolt as described and create the necessary space there where it's much easier to access.

Laneco · 05-04-2008, 05:55 PM

If that's the case with the steering rack spacers, then they should REALLY be providing them with the kit... Binding steering... Make you mess your panties...

angela

sww914 · 06:16 PM

I don't have any panties of my own, but If I did it would make a mess in them.
The kits that I bought in the past did come with the bolt, nut, and washers that I described but more recently they don't seem to be included. ???

DW SD · 05-04-2008, 07:01 PM

elephant racing sells steering stops that are added to the inner end of the tie rods which limit the travel of the steering rack. Wider than stock tires can bind against the body and the stops will prevent that.

Doug