Steering question. Bear with me please.

Post by **simonc** » Sat Feb 21, 2015 7:33 am

Hi all,
Bit of a strange question and as per usual it's written in my let's-see-how-long-I-can-make-this way so please bear with me.
In a nutshell, should the steering wheel be 'straight' when the wheels are pointing straight ahead when parked?
I've noticed recently that my steering wheel can be canted over (left or right) even through the wheels are completely straight when it's parked.
Last year when they were doing all that faffing and messing my car up, one of the guys told me one the steering rack gaiters was kaput and had a bit of a weep coming from it. He put on a new gaiter and can't see any steering fluid on the drive so I trust there's nothing leaking.
However, I do find the steering a bit heavy (maybe I'm just a big girl's blouse and need to build my biceps a bit more) but the old tiller needs a firm hand especially when parking.
I know there's a lot of weight up-front but does the Prelude have a reputation for heavy steering?
If any of you gurus can shed a little on my questions I'd be most grateful to hear your responses.
Thanks as ever, in advance. Best regards, Simon.
p.s Happy Lunar New Year to you all.

89 UKDM BA4 4WS (resto job!) · Post by **wurlycorner** » Sat Feb 21, 2015 8:06 am

No reputation for heavy steering that I'm aware of.
the steering doesn't self center like on one of my marvellously engineered supreme automotive machine Citroen CXs, so it will sit wherever you left it, when parked - I.e. straight or wonky

Post by **vanzep** » Sat Feb 21, 2015 10:18 am

ive just had an alignment done on my lude and refitted the oem steering wheel and the difference is night and day. steering is lighter and smoother. prior to this steering felt heavy when parking and you could hear the ps pump working away now its nearly silent. If you have had a new gaiter then the alignment may be slightly off as the track rod would have been removed to fit it.
Check the power steering fluid level is inbetween the max/min level from cold - then take it for an alignment

ask them to centre the steering wheel once the alignment is done. You can also check for uneven tyre wear at the same time.

bennyboy · Post by **bennyboy** » Sat Feb 21, 2015 10:27 am

Stating the obvious - check your tyre pressures too

Post by **Doggo** » Sat Feb 21, 2015 10:54 am

Post by **simonc** » Sat Feb 21, 2015 1:15 pm

Cheers Gents - marvellous advice as ever. Ta so much.

Post by **simonc** » Sun Apr 12, 2015 8:38 am

@wurlycorner, @vanzep, @bennyboy.
You were all right and I've given all the blurb in my profile update. It was alignment and tyre pressures. Thanks as it's now all sorted and the front end feels great.