For a years now the Tiger has suffered from stiff steering. The steering
column has been gone through and moves nicely, the steering U joints are fairly
new, lubed and free, the steering rack has been gone through and moves nicely
and easily, the tie rod ends are fairly new, but seem stiff. The upper and
lower ball joints are about 10 yrs old, but I think the stiffness began when
they
were installed.
The symptoms of the car are: seems hard to turn even when moving, but is a
little hard to judge without another Tiger close by to compare with. After
some effort to make a turn at any speed the car wants to go only in the
direction turned. There is almost no self centering of the wheels. The
steering
wheel must be turned to straighten the wheels.
It seems like it must be either the stiff tie rods (kind of doubt that one)
or the upper or lower ball joints. Does anyone have a simple test that I can
use to compare the turning effort to a known good steering Tiger. How about
using something like a fish scale to pull on the steering wheel at rest to
determine pressure needed to turn wheels? How about if the tie rod ends are
disconnected and the car is raised...how much effort is needed to turn a wheel?
Would something like pushing on the tire with a bathroom scale begin to give
some indication of stiffness? Again, I would need something to compare it
with.
I tried some slim wedges to increase caster and it only made the car steer
harder, but still no better self centering. Have had two alignments done and
the car is pretty much on specs.
I am open to suggestions. Something has to be too stiff!
Thanks,
Mark L.
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