Steering precision

Boris · Post by **Boris** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 5:36 pm

Hi everyone!
Way back in 1994 when I sold my :( HR Premier '86S 4 speed... ( :? before your time?) and bought my Starion, I was amazed by the Starion's quiet sophistocation, however these days in comparison to the new Commodores and Falcons I drive at work, I find the lack of precision of the Starion's recirculating ball steering to be among its' worst features. Are there any recognised modifications to improve the steering precision?
Are there any later model Mitsubishis with rack and pinion that provide an easy swap?
It is not to bad on a winding road, but a few hours on the freeway get to be hard work just keeping it straight in comparison to newer cars.
Any suggestions appreciated.
Cheers
Boris

SpidersWeb · Post by **SpidersWeb** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 7:01 pm

Nope, we're screwed.

But, there is an adjustment screw. It controls return to centre vs steering play. So I'm guessing if you are willing to lose a little return-to-centre, you could gain a bit more of that precision.

Also the boxes seem to get worse with age, so perhaps a rebuild will solve this. I say this because my first Starion (133,500km) had no noticable play in the steering at all, it was fine, but the new one (235,000Km) its more noticable.

Both are just ideas, as I am yet to try these out. Should pick up my car again tomorrow, and depending on how bad the problem is will determine the importance of trying to fix it.

Also scum was working on the rack'n pinnion setup for the Starion, but I dont think it was 100% completed. We haven't found a single bolt in rack setup yet because there is no room for a rear mounted rack, the rack needs to be mounted in-front of the axle to clear the engine (so I am told).

Boris · Post by **Boris** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 10:09 pm

Thanks for the reply Spidersweb.
Sounds like fine tune and put up with it is the only plan.
Cheers
Boris

CussCuss · Post by **CussCuss** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 10:17 pm

i have no problems with wondering whatsoever, the whole system (box and pump) has been completely rebuilt tho, but i do run a fair bit of castor and aggressive tyres so i think the issue is with the box being old.

SOWTZ · Post by **SOWTZ** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 9:35 am

Isn’t there things called steering spacers? It’s just a thick metal disk with holes in it, goes on the steering rack somewhere, its meant to eliminate play altogether, mate of mine made a few sets for his and others S13’s, works a treat move the wheel at all and the car turns, not sure if the same sort of thing can be used for a Staz.

SpidersWeb · Post by **SpidersWeb** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 9:38 am

SOWTZ wrote:Isn’t there things called steering spacers? It’s just a thick metal disk with holes in it, goes on the steering rack somewhere, its meant to eliminate play altogether, mate of mine made a few sets for his and others S13’s, works a treat move the wheel at all and the car turns, not sure if the same sort of thing can be used for a Staz.

Starion's dont have a rack though :(

merlin · Post by **merlin** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 12:38 pm

Boris, check for play in the coupling from the steering column to the steering box.
this is often overlooked, and is a bastard to get at.
worth checking though (needs 2 people to check!)

scum · Post by **scum** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 2:31 pm

yegh, the pintara rack, but i DONT HAVE THE TIME CAPTIN!!

Chryzla · Post by **Chryzla** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 2:52 pm

remember that most of the time its everything else in the steering thats the problem. most commonly overlooked

tie rod ends, ball joints, idle control arm, main arm.

all of it contribrutes.

replace all of that and you will be amazed there will be almost no freeplay.

Junkers · Post by **Junkers** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 3:38 pm

Chryzla wrote: replace all of that and you will be amazed there will be almost no freeplay.

And no money in your wallet.

Chryzla · Post by **Chryzla** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 3:46 pm

and engineering a rack and pinion setup would be so much cheaper?

Junkers · Post by **Junkers** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 5:27 pm

I never said anything about engineering anything :? Just that it would be expensive.

Personally I'd just get the steering box reco'd and replace all the bushes.

CussCuss · Post by **CussCuss** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 9:07 pm

fyi, box reco at coltspeed was approx $400 around 1.5 years ago.

Boris · Post by **Boris** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 9:14 pm

Thanks for the tip Merlin.
I checked the coupling and it looks OK, but as you say very hard to see!
Cheers
Boris

Cookiemonster · Post by **Cookiemonster** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 9:23 pm

Lower outer ball joints, centre track rod ball joints, inner rod ball joints, idler arm bushes.

Replace all these and the steering will be considerably tighter.

Austarion

Steering precision

Steering precision

Coupling

Who is online