The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

The Number One Club for owners of Triumph's range of small saloons from the 1960s and 1970s.
It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 2:17 pm

All times are UTC




Post new topic  Reply to topic  [ 11 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: Light steering.
PostPosted: Sat Jun 23, 2018 10:37 am 
Offline
Future Club member hopefully!
Future Club member hopefully!
User avatar

Joined: Sun Aug 14, 2011 3:47 am
Posts: 453
Location: NSW. Australia
Hi,
I'm quite happy with my Sprints steering, BUT.....
As expected, the steering is heavy at slow parking speeds, then, in the straight ahead position, it gets progressively lighter as the car increases in speed. To the point where its, well, a bit worrying at about 60mph. Now, this is only directional, as I get really good road surface feed back, at all speeds, and when its weighted in corners, its a fantastic feel.
The "Toe-in" is as per the book and was re-aligned recently. I have new-ish 175/70x13 Yokohama A Drive tyres all round, and as the car is about 95% factory stock I run about 22 or 23 PSI in them. The car rides very well. Some of you will argue this is too low, but if I increase the PSI the steering gets even lighter and I'm happy with that pressure.
So, what do you reckon? Is this straight ahead lightness a problem or is it the nature of the beast?
If you feel this is a problem, is there an easy remedy that doesn't require removing the rack?
Thanks & Cheers,
Rob

_________________
"When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it". HENRY FORD
1915 Ford "T" Speedster (Evangeline), 1921 Ford "T" Tourer (Anastasia), 1955 Zephyr 6 (Purdey), 1975 Dolomite SPRINT (Daisy), & a couple of moderns.


Top
   
 Post subject: Re: Light steering.
PostPosted: Sat Jun 23, 2018 12:36 pm 
Offline
TDC Member
User avatar

Joined: Mon Aug 10, 2015 8:20 pm
Posts: 1293
Location: Shetland / here & there
Hmm, I know you say that you have had the front geometry checked but an overly negative caster angle would normally be the culprit for poor self centering and straight ahead wandering but give good cornering.

_________________
Current fleet: '75 Sprint, '73 1850, Daihatsu Fourtrak, Honda CG125, Yamaha Fazer 600, Shetland 570 (yes it's a boat!)

Past fleet: Triumph 2000, Lancia Beta Coupe, BL Mini Clubman, Austin Metro, Vauxhall Cavalier MK1 & MK2, Renault 18 D, Rover 216 GSI, Honda Accord (most expensive car purchase, hated, made out of magnetic metal as only car I've ever been crashed into...4 times), BMW 318, Golf GTi MK3 16v x 3


Top
   
 Post subject: Re: Light steering.
PostPosted: Sun Jun 24, 2018 12:47 am 
Offline
Future Club member hopefully!
Future Club member hopefully!
User avatar

Joined: Sun Aug 14, 2011 3:47 am
Posts: 453
Location: NSW. Australia
Thanks for answering Galileo,
The steering self centers just fine and the car doesn't wander, it just feels vague & light when going straight ahead. I feel like I'm aiming it, rather than steering it, until there's a bend, when it feels fine. Likewise, road "feel" (feedback) is good too.
But since your post, I've pretty well decided to have it aligned again anyway.
Thanks again,
Rob
PS; My 2 moderns both have electric power steering, (fabulous steerers) and I've been doing a lot of miles recently. Maybe its my personal adjustment from one to the other that's really the problem, not the car. Especially when considering that my concern came right after I had driven the Sprint for the first time in about a month.

_________________
"When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it". HENRY FORD
1915 Ford "T" Speedster (Evangeline), 1921 Ford "T" Tourer (Anastasia), 1955 Zephyr 6 (Purdey), 1975 Dolomite SPRINT (Daisy), & a couple of moderns.


Top
   
 Post subject: Okay........
PostPosted: Sun Jun 24, 2018 2:20 pm 
Offline
TDC Member
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2007 1:22 pm
Posts: 6475
Location: Caithness, Scotland
This is just about impossible to answer definitively, there are just so many variables in the equation, so to speak.

From my experience,
I doubt it will be just one thing, I suspect a combination of factors.




Ian.

_________________
TDC Forum moderator
PLEASE help us to maintain a friendly forum,
either PM or use Report Post if you see anything you are unhappy with. Thanks.


Top
   
 Post subject: Re: Light steering.
PostPosted: Mon Jun 25, 2018 12:43 pm 
Offline
TDC Member
User avatar

Joined: Sat Apr 12, 2014 11:02 pm
Posts: 2279
Location: Nr Kenilworth
Rob, you do have the front spoiler fitted dont you?

Tony

_________________
Membership 2014047


Top
   
 Post subject: Re: Light steering.
PostPosted: Mon Jun 25, 2018 12:55 pm 
Offline
TDC Member
User avatar

Joined: Wed Nov 15, 2017 3:35 pm
Posts: 956
Location: Filey, North Yorkshire
Any play in the rack mounts?

_________________
Image


Top
   
 Post subject: Re: Light steering.
PostPosted: Mon Jun 25, 2018 4:06 pm 
Offline
Future Club member hopefully!
Future Club member hopefully!
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jul 22, 2015 12:58 pm
Posts: 1293
Location: London
I can relate to what is said on this post, as mine is the same.

I have the front spoiler, and a solid rack mount, but in a straight line above 69 mph ( :wink: ) the car floats on the front wheels.

Any lane changing or cornering has a positive feel, but on the motorway
you think there is play in the rack until you move the steering wheel and the car responds as instructed.

If it had a rear spoiler I would blame it.

_________________
NRW 581W Sprint


On the motorway no one can hear me sing!
Construed as a public service, self preservation in reality.


Top
   
 Post subject: Re: Light steering.
PostPosted: Mon Jun 25, 2018 10:40 pm 
Offline
Future Club member hopefully!
Future Club member hopefully!
User avatar

Joined: Sun Aug 14, 2011 3:47 am
Posts: 453
Location: NSW. Australia
Quote:
I have the front spoiler, and a solid rack mount, but in a straight line above 69 mph ( :wink: ) the car floats on the front wheels.

Any lane changing or cornering has a positive feel, but on the motorway
you think there is play in the rack until you move the steering wheel and the car responds as instructed.
Yes Gents,
I have good solid rack mounts and a front spoiler.
What Mahesh has written above exactly describes my cars habit.
I initially posted in the hope that it was a common problem with an easy fix. But as I mentioned earlier, I'll check the alignment again and if that doesn't show anything wrong, I guess I'll just have to get used to it.
Thanks again for all your replies.
Cheers,
Rob

_________________
"When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it". HENRY FORD
1915 Ford "T" Speedster (Evangeline), 1921 Ford "T" Tourer (Anastasia), 1955 Zephyr 6 (Purdey), 1975 Dolomite SPRINT (Daisy), & a couple of moderns.


Top
   
 Post subject: Re: Light steering.
PostPosted: Tue Jun 26, 2018 7:10 am 
Offline
TDC Member

Joined: Fri Jan 08, 2016 9:00 pm
Posts: 1014
I have no issues in my 1850 running 175/70 Falkens at around 28 psi - try bumping the tyre pressures up?


Top
   
 Post subject: Re: Light steering.
PostPosted: Tue Jun 26, 2018 7:23 am 
Offline
TDC Member
User avatar

Joined: Sat Apr 12, 2014 11:02 pm
Posts: 2279
Location: Nr Kenilworth
Yep 28F and 30 R for me with no adverse affects (I'd missed your pressures in the post Rob)

Tony

_________________
Membership 2014047


Top
   
 Post subject: Re: Light steering.
PostPosted: Sun Jul 01, 2018 7:59 am 
Offline
Future Club member hopefully!
Future Club member hopefully!
User avatar

Joined: Fri May 06, 2011 6:11 pm
Posts: 383
Check to bulkhead bush. Friend had this problem and we eventually tracked it down to the bulkhead bush.

Also checks for cracks in the front vertical links.


Top
   
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic  Reply to topic  [ 11 posts ] 

All times are UTC


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 20 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Limited