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TR6 Steering gets light and dodgy

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pdplot

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The steering on my '71 TR6 gets a bit light and dodgy over 62 mph. Tire pressure is 26 all around. Front end was supposedly rebuilt by prior owner about 24 years ago but car has only covered less than 6000 miles since by me. Wheel bearings seem fine - no play in wheels. Tires are almost new Michelins. Is this a problem or just normal for a TR6? Any ideas?
 
There are two rubber bush's (Moss 680-070) on the steering rack... it's possible that they are worn and need replacing. They do make an uprated kit (667-288) also as well as a polyurethane bush (683-183).
Let us know what you find.
 
"Dodgy" is often a description of toe out. Are the tires starting to wear on the inside edge?
 
Tires look fine. PO replaced "bushings" but may have been from front suspension, not steering. How can I check the tightness of the bushings?
 
Going from memory, the bushing is held in place by a clamp that goes over the top of the bushing and has two threaded rods that go through the frame (I think). Not sure how tight the two nuts have to be.
Anyone else know?
 
That is correct about the mounting of the steering rack bushes, you might also check the rubber u-joint in the steering column, I replaced mine and the steering felt much tighter, but I don't think any issues with this part would be speed dependent. I would say, as noted, it might likely as not be a toe in, castor, or geometry issue.
 
24 years ago ain't exactly a recent rebuild. That's plenty of time for bushings to dry out and get loose; it's a time effect, not mileage. I think just about everything is possible; if it were me, I think I'd just go ahead and redo all the rubber bits, and, while doing it, I'd take a good hard look at ball joints, tie rod ends, and similar.
 
And one of the last items to be mentioned is the wheel balance. This is one thing that IS speed sensitive.
Charley
 
pdplot said:
Tires look fine. PO replaced "bushings" but may have been from front suspension, not steering. How can I check the tightness of the bushings?
Click to expand...
I use a big lever, tire iron, large screwdriver, or what have you. There should be no motion in the joints.
Also note that the condition you describe is very often associated with bad alignment, as John stated above, and which may or may not be caused by worn bushings.
You can check most of the bushings yourself visually and with a lever. While it's possible to check and set the toe yourself, I'm spoiled by having an excellent alignment shop nearby that will do all 4 wheels for very little money and the car always comes back dramatically improved.
Tom
 
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