124 stiff steering

[philiggy]

The 124 I bought has stiff steering, it doesn't self centre properly, worse after a left turn, any thoughts,?

Phil

 

[television]

Bottom ball joints need replacing, thats all, or just one

 

[grober]

Partially seized idler arm? or steering damper?(altho dampers normally go slack rather than stiff) Check the obvious--- check the steering fluid reservoir level and filter are OK- OTHERWISE ---Steering box needs an overhaul/adjusted/replaced --quite costly unless you get a good one from a breaker but difficult to assess visually off the car. My money is on the idler arm.item 14 here http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.as...GM=717.433&CT=F&cat=501&SID=46&SGR=120&SGN=06
you get repair kits for them I believe

 

[Ian B Walker]

It is the steering ball joints. Happened on mine and I first thought it was the steering box, lived with that until next mot. On Mot I was told ball joints were seized. Changed them and back to silky smooth steering.

 

[philiggy]

It is the steering ball joints. Happened on mine and I first thought it was the steering box, lived with that until next mot. On Mot I was told ball joints were seized. Changed them and back to silky smooth steering.

Thanks Ian I'll check them, I bet with this being a 1996 car its wishbones rather than just ball joints

Phil

 

[SilverSaloon]

the 124 saloon i recently purchased doesnt fully return straight after a corner.... i put it down to the bigger wheels it has on, compared to mine, but suspected something else.

i'll check the ball joints. it does it whatever way you turn and steering seems fine, apart from this.

 

[television]

A fairly easy way to check is to jack the car one side, and try moving the wheel side ways to the left and right, a tight ball joint will show as tight to move before the rods start to move, if the wheel moves easily before the rods move then the track rod ends could be too tight