Steering query
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Steering query
The steering on my SE5a 'loads up ' on the move after a quarter turn of the wheel so I thought I'd see if the yokes of the column universal joints are in line or not. As it happens they're at 90 degrees, but I can't see how to align them as the cutout on the splined section (for the retaining bolt) will only allow the upper u/j to be at 90 degrees to the lower one. Am I missing something here?
Current : SE5a 4spd auto
Past: SE5, SE5a x 3, GTC x 3, SE6, SE6a
Past: SE5, SE5a x 3, GTC x 3, SE6, SE6a
- peter freeman
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Steering query
Well that's certainly a possibility, and one that I hadn't considered. Having said that, the previous owners have kept meticulous records of purchases from recognised/reputable suppliers so on the face of it, it seems unlikely. If it comes to it, i may just grind a groove at right angles to the existing one to get the right orientation of the ujs.
Current : SE5a 4spd auto
Past: SE5, SE5a x 3, GTC x 3, SE6, SE6a
Past: SE5, SE5a x 3, GTC x 3, SE6, SE6a
- scimjim
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Steering query
There’s no way it can be fitted out of phase?
Jim King
SECURE DRY STORAGE FOR YOUR SCIMITAR
Current: SE5 (8Ball), TI SS1 (snotty), 1600 SS1 (G97), 1600 SS1 (C686CCR), 2.5TD SE5a (diesel 5a), 6 x random other SS1s.
Previous: SE5, 3 x SE5a, 2 x SE6a, 3 x SE6b, GTC, 2.9i GTC, 3 x 1600 SS1, 1300 SS1, Mk1 Ti Sabre, Mk1.5 CVH Sabre
Chief mechanic for: 1400 K series SS1 (Megan3), 1400 CVH EFi SS1 (Grawpy), 1300 SS1 (Number One) & Sarah's coupe.
CURE THE FAULT - NOT THE SYMPTOMS
SECURE DRY STORAGE FOR YOUR SCIMITAR
Current: SE5 (8Ball), TI SS1 (snotty), 1600 SS1 (G97), 1600 SS1 (C686CCR), 2.5TD SE5a (diesel 5a), 6 x random other SS1s.
Previous: SE5, 3 x SE5a, 2 x SE6a, 3 x SE6b, GTC, 2.9i GTC, 3 x 1600 SS1, 1300 SS1, Mk1 Ti Sabre, Mk1.5 CVH Sabre
Chief mechanic for: 1400 K series SS1 (Megan3), 1400 CVH EFi SS1 (Grawpy), 1300 SS1 (Number One) & Sarah's coupe.
CURE THE FAULT - NOT THE SYMPTOMS
- Roger Pennington
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Steering query
Have you tried jacking it up so that the wheels are off the ground, and turning the wheel to see if the fault is still present?
....Roger
RSSOC member (since 1982)
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"Condition can be bought at any time; Originality, once lost, is gone forever" - Doug Nye
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"Condition can be bought at any time; Originality, once lost, is gone forever" - Doug Nye
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Steering query
Hi, yes i have, the steering moves freely from side to side when the car's jacked up.
Current : SE5a 4spd auto
Past: SE5, SE5a x 3, GTC x 3, SE6, SE6a
Past: SE5, SE5a x 3, GTC x 3, SE6, SE6a
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Steering query
That's what I would have thought, but for the fact that in your picture the bolt on the extreme left will only fit vertically, not horizontally owing to the orientation of the groove on the splined part of the shaft.
Current : SE5a 4spd auto
Past: SE5, SE5a x 3, GTC x 3, SE6, SE6a
Past: SE5, SE5a x 3, GTC x 3, SE6, SE6a
- scimjim
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Steering query
So is the drawing wrong and every car has the joints out of phase? I presume you have the shaft off and there’s only one groove then?
Jim King
SECURE DRY STORAGE FOR YOUR SCIMITAR
Current: SE5 (8Ball), TI SS1 (snotty), 1600 SS1 (G97), 1600 SS1 (C686CCR), 2.5TD SE5a (diesel 5a), 6 x random other SS1s.
Previous: SE5, 3 x SE5a, 2 x SE6a, 3 x SE6b, GTC, 2.9i GTC, 3 x 1600 SS1, 1300 SS1, Mk1 Ti Sabre, Mk1.5 CVH Sabre
Chief mechanic for: 1400 K series SS1 (Megan3), 1400 CVH EFi SS1 (Grawpy), 1300 SS1 (Number One) & Sarah's coupe.
CURE THE FAULT - NOT THE SYMPTOMS
SECURE DRY STORAGE FOR YOUR SCIMITAR
Current: SE5 (8Ball), TI SS1 (snotty), 1600 SS1 (G97), 1600 SS1 (C686CCR), 2.5TD SE5a (diesel 5a), 6 x random other SS1s.
Previous: SE5, 3 x SE5a, 2 x SE6a, 3 x SE6b, GTC, 2.9i GTC, 3 x 1600 SS1, 1300 SS1, Mk1 Ti Sabre, Mk1.5 CVH Sabre
Chief mechanic for: 1400 K series SS1 (Megan3), 1400 CVH EFi SS1 (Grawpy), 1300 SS1 (Number One) & Sarah's coupe.
CURE THE FAULT - NOT THE SYMPTOMS
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Steering query
Some u/js have been shortened by cutting and re-welding. If the parts are not aligned correctly in phase before welding the cure is to file a new slot. However this means that they can still be out by half a spline. The most common shafts with this done to them seems to be for the Coupes. The drawing does show the correct alignment with the two pins on the yokes which are attached/welded to the shaft being parallel. Hope these words make sense.
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Steering query
Thanks, perfect sense. I know the drawing is right in showing the pins being parallel, its just that i cant get mine aligned like that the way the slot is currently orientated. I had thought about the spline issue, I'll be careful when i make a new slot!
Current : SE5a 4spd auto
Past: SE5, SE5a x 3, GTC x 3, SE6, SE6a
Past: SE5, SE5a x 3, GTC x 3, SE6, SE6a
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Steering query
Update, I've ground a new groove/slot in the splined section of the intermediate shaft at right angles to the existing one, to allow a bolt to be fitted, with the top and bottom yokes being parallel. The photo shows the original slot when both the top and bottom U/Js are in alignment.
The important bit is that the sudden heaviness in the steering when turning the wheel more than a quarter, has now disappeared - what a transformation!
The important bit is that the sudden heaviness in the steering when turning the wheel more than a quarter, has now disappeared - what a transformation!
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- U/J mystery
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Current : SE5a 4spd auto
Past: SE5, SE5a x 3, GTC x 3, SE6, SE6a
Past: SE5, SE5a x 3, GTC x 3, SE6, SE6a