Vague steering

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hcca
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Vague steering

Post by hcca »

Well, having owned a Starion for 3 years and having driven it a total of 80km since I bought it, I can't remember how they handle.. Now that i've got my other Starion going (and got good tyres on it), the steering feels quite vague. I'm aware that Starion steering has been described as being a bit this way, but this feels excessive (like i'm not really in control). I'll get under the car tomorrow and check everything is tight, but I was wondering if anything in particular would cause this problem.

Also, the power steering is making some grindy noises in tight-ish turns - I assume (hope!) that it could be that I need to bleed it a bit. Sound right?

I figure by the time i've finished diagnosing all the problems with this car I can write a book on everything that could possibly go wrong with your Starion :)

By the way, 225/65R15s on the rear and 215/65R15s on the front on a seriously lowered car actually fit despite what a couple of people thought :) This equals cheap and relatively wide tyre availability since they're the same size as some Commo and Falcon tyres (obviously it will throw your speedo out a bit though).
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StarionChef
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Post by StarionChef »

My power steering solution is to pull off the pump and drop it in the wheelie bin :) Fixed!

Yeah, those tyres will effect the speedo a little, and make the car slower off the line :( 215/60 is the standard size for 15inch rim
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hcca
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Post by hcca »

I might disconnect the belt and see how the steering feels then. It definitely doesn't feel right as it is though.
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StarionChef
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Post by StarionChef »

From my experience, JA's are very heavy, JBs and 'quests are like a non assisted sigmas
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decoy
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Post by decoy »

yeh i've heard that whirring noise on tight turns before too. was because the power steering fluid was low, topped it up and steered good again. maybe a bleed will fix the excessiveness?
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StarionChef
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Post by StarionChef »

Where'd the fluid go deeks?
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decoy
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Post by decoy »

on my old (now dead) alternator :P where did yours go? :wink:
wa_greg
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Post by wa_greg »

the steering feel is probly from
a worn out bushing. its a rubber
bushing close to the steering box.
i fixed mine with some epoxy
and the steering feels quite responsive
from then
fil
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Post by fil »

did you fix the pump problem or simply remove the pump. Does running the pump with no fluid cause any dammage. Im in the same situation but cant afford to fix/ replace the pump. How much is a new pump?
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Post by Cookiemonster »

fil wrote:Does running the pump with no fluid cause any dammage.
Yes it will.
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hcca
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Post by hcca »

.. But you can disconnect the drive belt.

I put some more fluid in mine and did a few lock-to-lock turns with the wheels lifted off the ground.. seemed to shut it up. I haven't driven it yet to see whether it made a difference to the feel of the steering. Checked everything - all seems tight. Only problem I found is the bushes in the hub mount on one of the rear wheels are stuffed and the wheel moves a bit, but not enough I don't think to cause a problem. I will replace it anyway.
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