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Greater Steering Resistance?
by
Sidamo
on 30 Aug, 2015 19:54
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Background: Somewhat new-to-me (about 9 months) 1981 diesel caddy 5 speed
I have lots of receipts for suspension/steering work done in the past 5 years, steering rack not among them
Vehicle was rear ended pretty good right before I got it, frame *likely* not damaged.
I pulled into a parking spot, came back 10 minutes later and got back on the road... I immediately noticed it took more effort to steer.
It feels exactly like loosing a power steering pump except not quite as much resistance. That is to say, it's even resistance throughout the range of steering. It's not loose feeling, no clunks or weird sound, just harder to turn.
Stupid question first: Does this car have power steering, and I just can't find the reservoir??
My initial thoughts are bearing in steering rack, or an alignment issue, but it doesn't drift at all. I can't imagine a bad tie rod end or a bushing/bearing somewhere else in the system would make it this noticeably harder to turn, but maybe?
Suspension feels normal, no flat tires, etc. Any thoughts as to what could be the problem?
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#1
by
Dakotakid
on 31 Aug, 2015 16:16
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This reminds me....I have been meaning to as if we could start a "best of GTD" thread...
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#2
by
Sidamo
on 02 Sep, 2015 23:56
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Awesome. Super helpful.
Power steering fluid reservoir, if there is one, would be located above the alternator, ya?
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#3
by
vanbcguy
on 03 Sep, 2015 00:04
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There'd also be a power steering pump being driven by a belt on the engine and power steering lines going to the steering rack. If you don't have those you don't have power steering.
LOTS of Mk1 vehicles did not have power steering as they are so light it's not really necessary. If you're experiencing a sudden increase in steering effort (or even a gradual one over time) it's probably one of your strut bearings.
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#4
by
Sidamo
on 03 Sep, 2015 11:41
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Thank you for the pointers. I figured no power steering but wanted to be extra sure.
I'll take a peek at the strut bearings tonight. Again, thanks for some direction.
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#5
by
srgtlord
on 09 Sep, 2015 15:45
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That sounds just like when i received my vw golf a few years back. The previous owner had removed the spring hats... Not sure why they did this but I experienced the same resistance that you are describing
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#6
by
ORCoaster
on 09 Sep, 2015 22:11
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Hasn't it been mentioned to drop a little oil on top those struts every 6 mths? Not a lot, like 6 - 8 drops. Never over do oil, it just grabs dirt and turns to grime.
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#7
by
vanbcguy
on 10 Sep, 2015 11:09
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Hydraulic oil was the old Hagar recommendation... Just a capful mind you...
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#8
by
ORCoaster
on 10 Sep, 2015 19:20
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Recommendation yes, but was it necessary or a good thing to do? Hagar had some strange ideas at times. Some just didn't make much sense, myth not fact.
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#9
by
vanbcguy
on 10 Sep, 2015 20:15
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Necessary? No, it's not in the Bentley. Wise? Well there IS a "bearing" in there... A little lubrication won't hurt as long as it doesn't bring in dirt or act as a solvent to whatever is supposed to be there.
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#10
by
ORCoaster
on 11 Sep, 2015 16:39
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I hear PAM cooking spray is as good as WD-40. Maybe a shot of that? And some Chicken?
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#11
by
vanbcguy
on 12 Sep, 2015 04:03
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Now we all know solvents don't make good lubricants! But if the chicken is fried I'm totally in.