Steering Feel

[as400]

Recently sorted out with a new to me Z.

It may just be because its a 20 year old car but I can turn the steering wheel a bit to the left or right while driving and the car just carries on in a straight line.

I have recently put new tyres and had the tracking checked.

I'm not expecting Lotus Elise responsiveness, are there any components that may need replacing to add a bit more 'connectivness'? or this a case of "They all do that Sir!"

 

[t-tony]

How much movement do you think there is? The MOT test requires you to run the engine and gently rock the steering with the wheels on the ground observing how much movement there is at the steering wheel rim before the road wheels start to turn. Anything over 13mm at the rim for rack and pinion steering is excessive (fail).
How old is the MOT on the car? Are the front tyres up to proper pressure?

Tony.

 

[as400]

Hmmm thanks Tony,

MOT due in May......previous advisories over last two years

• Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))
• Offside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))
• Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))
• Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Just had new tyres put on, not sure what the correct pressure should be as the wheels are not standard being 225/40/18 front and 255/35/18 at the rear.

 

[t-tony]

Front tyres 32 rears 34. Front lower arm rear bushes would make the car steering very vague if bad enough.

Tony.

 

[as400]

Thanks will get them checked out.

 

[gookah]

Front tyres 32 years
Tony.

and tyres that old wont help....

 

[Mario]

Tie rod ends maybe at this age - I changed mine and made a lot of difference. I changed the entire tie rod assembly not just the ends, there is a ball joint connecting to the steering rack and that joint was pretty loose too.

 

[Sean d]

Just do an overall suspension refresh including the rear sub frame, it will then feel like the lotus that you mention