Technical Panda Steering - not what you think.

[Sweetsixteen]

My steering began pulling to one side, but not all the time. Tracking was checked and adjusted, and was fine. Sometimes it pulled, sometimes it didn't. I thought the sensor in the column was beginning to go home, and began checking out prices. I also checked all the wiring, to make sure there was good electrical connections.

Just been in France for a few weeks (still there), and I found that there was a worn joint on the front suspension, which 'clicked' every now and then, causing the above steering effects. Will check it out when I get back, but it's either a stiff, worn track rod end or wishbone bushes. Either way, the joint must be dry, worn and very stiff, so that it only goes 'off' if I brake hard on full lock - forward or reverse.

My indie missed it two weeks ago at Mot time!

Worth checking suspension wear if your steering plays up - cheaper than buying a new column!

 

[DaveMcT]

Also check the rear axle. The rubber bushes are reliable but can wear and the stub axle retaining nuts can loosen. Again, unlikely but it can happen.

 

[Sweetsixteen]

Found the culprit. Still in France, but was able to get the use of a garage and a friend who was a mechanic.
The fault was not in the wishbones, track rods or drop links (never suspected drop links anyway), but with my friend turning the steering from lock to lock (engine running for easy turning) and with me putting both hands on the two front suspension top mounts, I could feel a definite thud on the nearside turret as the steering went through full lock. Top mount bearing/housing needs renewing. I'm back in the UK next week, and as I hate using spring compressors (you can guess why), it's a job for my local indie.

 

[DaveMcT]

It needs to be replaced but might not solve the steering pull.

 

[Sweetsixteen]

Dave, that was my first thought, because I couldn't see how it could affect the steering, but try as we could, we could not find any play or unusual stiffness in any other part. Nothing else had any discernible wear.

So I'm holding my judgement until I get back and my trusted indie changes the top bearing housing complete. The pull in the steering is intermittent and only shows up when a faint 'thud' is heard. Weird, so I'll wait and see.

 

[irc]

The quality of top mounts seems to be dropping.
Last month I thought the wife had a broken spring on the front of her Panda Sporting. Made a "twang" noise when turning at slow speed, just like when part of a coil has broken off.
Had a spare pair of springs, so got ready to change them out.
Started the job (actually got a friend to start the job - my hands don't work well in the cold), and... springs were fine. But one top mount had totally gone. Was a good brand one, and only just over a year old too.
Also cured the slight tendency to pull to one side which she had mentioned, but I had forgotten about.

 

[DaveMcT]

The pull in the steering is intermittent and only shows up when a faint 'thud' is heard. Weird, so I'll wait and see.

That's your clue. It is most likely the strut top bearing causing the steering pull. They are often worse after steering in one direction but OK from the other direction. I mean for example, a sharp right turn (say out of a car park) might be fine but a sharp left turn causes the pull.