steering wheel won't turn back after turning

[miranda]

Finally went to the car registration place in the Netherlands today to get the Dutch title for our 100-6 we took back with us from the States.
They checked the car and almost everything was ok. The one thing that wasn't had to do with the steering. After a short test drive he mentioned the steering wheel isn't turning back into the neutral position after turning. Apparently this isn't normal and they couldn't issue a new registration before this is fixed.
This evening we lubricated all parts mentioned in the handbook (including steering box and idler box). The steeringbox seemed to have run dry, but after filling it up the problem was still there.
Anybody ideas about this or is it normal the steering wheel doesn't turn back?
Thanks! Sjoerd and Miranda

 

[BlueRidge2]

I would make sure the tires are fully inflated first.
This may help some.. Bob

 

[Keoke]

HI Miranda, glad to hear from you again even from across the pond. Yes the steering wheel should correct itself after a turn. It may be something as simple as the front wheel Toe in being incorrect. I suggest that the front end of the car be jacked up and the steering wheel rotated from lock to lock while feeling for any stiffness or binding during this exercise. There should be a very slight bind as the wheel passes over the center position but that is all. If the bind at center position is more sever, adjusting the steering box should be attempted to relieve it. Next check all the rod ends for excessive looseness and replace where necessary. Disconnect the the rod at the Steering Idler arm and see that the arm moves smoothly by hand and has adequate oil in it. The steering box being out of oil if operated for a prolonged time may have damaged the peg and it will then have to be replaced. That is about all that can keep the front end from working correctly I think.--My Regards--Keoke

 

[vette]

Miranda, As checking all the previously stated things should be done because any one part binding will cause the problem. The steering wheel not returning to center after a turn is caused by something tightening up. But one of the most common parts to bind, usually from lack of lubrication from unregular greasing, is the Swivel Pin bushings. They are the equivelant to ball joints in other cars. The Brits call the spindle and kingpin a Swivel Pin. The bushings on these must be kept greased. Disconnect the tie rod ends from the spindle/swivel pin steering knuckle to allow the swivel pin to turn freely and independantly of everything else. Then just move the spindle/swivel pin through it's range of turning motion to see if it gets tight. It should move from full left or right to full turn in the other direction very easily. But then also check to see if the bushings are loose. To do this you can insert a bar between the bushing housing and the suspension control arm to see if you can make the shaft move in the bushing. Also, you can check looseness with the wheels on by grabbing the top and bottom of the wheel and trying to rock the wheel first in at the top and out at the bottom, then in at the bottom and out at the top. The movement that you might feel here should be no more than 1/4 inch in and out at the outside diameter of the tire. And less would be better. Also on doing this test you must be sure that there is no play in the wheel bearing or in the splined Hub of the wheel if you have wire wheels. Otherwise you would be feeling the looseness in those parts instead of any looseness in the swivel pin bushings. So check first to see if your swivel pin bushings are tight. If so, sometimes a good lubrication with grease will loosen them up.
cheers, Dave C.

 

[miranda]

A Quick update on the registration.
We greased everything and infated the tyres extra, but a good smile from miranda did the job. We did get the car registered! Now we will take the time to get the steering back to the condition where it needs to be. Thanks for all the good advice!

sjoerd

 

[tahoe healey]

I like the typo, "infated" makes perfect sense. Good going Miranda. My wife cries with the same results.

 

[Keoke]

Dog gone it!!, I never thought of that. Here is a girl with a smile that can melt an Artic Iceberg an certainly should be able to disarm the "MOT Tech".---Cheers--Keoke