Technical MOT Fail - Steering Excessively Tight!!!

[YamYam]

Just got back from the test centre with the failure being "Steering system excessively tight [2.2.D.1e]". The weird thing is there was a Mondeo in straight after that failed in exactly same way - up on the ramps, when the wheel is turned by hand, it seemed to spring back to the straight position.

Whilst they said the Mondeo's problem was spring-related, they couldn't offer anything up for my JTD even saying it drove ok. So any suggestions or similar experiences please??


Ta.

 

[ChrisUK]

Let me guess was it Kwik Fit that did the MOT?

Does your Power steering work OK?, Does CITY mode come on and make the steering lighter?

 

[YamYam]

It was a local garage known to be not too harsh on MOTs. The other 2 fails I had are minor straight forward things.

However to answer your question, both normal and City steering are fine. I was half-tempted to take it back in with City mode on but surely it'd get failed for excessive play!

 

[ChrisUK]

Seems a bit of a strange one, as long as your power assisted steering is working and theres little or no play in the steering rack it should be fine.

 

[sixpotman]

When you say wheel was turned by hand

Front wheels or Steering Wheel?

Was the engine running at the time?

John

 

[YamYam]

The front wheel was turned and I don't think it was running (sound proof viewing area with no signs of exhaust) but I thought that would have been dangerous with it being over 5 foot off the ground at the time.

Looks like it will be going back to the testing garage for a look over but I'd appreciate some opinion beforehand as there is very little similar experience in the wider internet and wouldn't want the garage to go for the easy option of the punto's commonly failing steering system.

As I said earlier, I've had no noticeable issues and definitely no dash lights.

 

[mark16v]

The front wheel was turned and I don't think it was running (sound proof viewing area with no signs of exhaust) but I thought that would have been dangerous with it being over 5 foot off the ground at the time.

I woudl find out if the car was running! try turning the wheels with out the car running. its not that easy! which could be the problem! ive noticed when ive had my mot done (@ Kwickfit, its a freeb) they always keep the car running to get it up to temp for the emission test!

Give them a ring and find out before hand! as you have said you dont seem to see the problem they have picked up on!

 

[YamYam]

Just to give a bit more info on what was physically happening during the test, when the bloke turned the front wheel (o/s wheel towards the n/s) it seemed fine moving but it gradually crept back to centre without him touching it.

Should that happen (the wheel independently going straight) or was it the speed that it occurred??

 

[beau]

i dont under stand how that is a fail personally, nearly every car i seem to look over will slowly go back straight?

id take it to another mot garage personally, i bet it passes...

 

[sixpotman]

I'd call in and ask them if the engine was running
when the tested turning the wheel as its electric
power steering and if both wheels were on the swivel
plate.

If the camber and caster angle is correct the car
automatically self centres when driven not sure
how it reacts on swivel plates.

The only other thing to stiffen up the steering
is duff bearing on the top of the struts or really
rusted ball joints.

John

 

[YamYam]

Been thinking about the Mondeo that also suffered due to springs, could it be that mine are mounted too far back? See below:

I'll take it back to the same garage cus of a patch weld but was just wondering if that would 'loosen' things up a bit rather than them messing.

 

[sixpotman]

Get someone to turn the steering wheel
while you watch that top strut you will
see a considerable amount of movement
back to front as you turn from one lock
to the other, so depending on if your
turning left or right the gap alters.

If it shouldn't do that then I need to check
the suspension on my lads punto as well.

If you have axle stands jack both sides of the
car up at the front and try turning the wheels
yourself with and without the engine running
may be with the engine running the electric
steering motor tries to stop you moving the
wheels.

John

 

[YamYam]

Yep, it was a top strut bearing that needed replacing!

Thanks for the advice everyone.