The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

The weather was nice today so i got the dolomite out, the steering on it seems a bit vague, there is no play in it but i do seem to put a lot of input into the wheel, my old dolomite wasn't as vague as this one, any idea's.

Regards Pete

No play at all but vague feeling steering could be the tracking/geometry.

I would suggest if not used for a while a seized column joint or ball joint. Does the steering self correct after cornering? If not something is seized.
Cheers,
Tony.

I have been chasing issues and finally there....
When I first got the car it needed the front tie rod bushes sorting, and teh lower arm bush was mush. Rack mounts iffy too. Replaced and all good.

Roll on a few years (not to mention 1500 engines) and a TR7 engine fitted with sprint box and axle. Steering, in retrospect, then deteriorated. But the car had little use for about 10 months, and it has taken me a couple of years to really investigate and sort.
Initially the column bush was replaced, along with the column upper UJ as both worn and allowing movement, but steering was still iffy.
Finally investigated the rear. The brand new rubber tie-rod bushes on the axle were really cracking up and poo, after only 2 years. When dropped the cups they sat in were also very poor. As I was determined to sort all this, I also rebushed trailing arms (genuine front voided bushes, solid rears). The cups for the tie-rod bushes were replaced with 2 1/4" core plugs, and poly bushes fitted.
Bolted up and the car is now a delight to drive......
(I wont mention the weeping head, different story)

Thanks for all the reply's, will have another look at the weekend.

Regards Pete