9 replies to this topic

[av8tor]

So I drove my new ESR car into the tire wall in turn 16 at Sebring in order to conduct a proper inspection of the tire wall integrity.  Donated a couple of grand to my local body shop to replace the rear qtr panel and trunk lid, then set the car up for its next trip to Sebring.  Everything appeared straight and I had to make a couple of turns on the tie rods but no more than a 1/16" adjustment.  Car ran great, but occasionally in the middle of the T7 hairpin (2nd gear hard right hand turn), I would get binding in the steering.  I put the darn car on jack stands 5Xs over the weekend and could not find any signs of a problem with the front end. Getting ready to set her up for the Turkey Trot and just thought I would throw it out to the gallery, any ideas, anybody see this before.  If I didn't have such confidence in the really simple Miata rack I would think I damaged the gear in the steering box, but I find that unlikely since I didn't bend either tie-rod... 

[Danica Davison]

I guess I am not sure what you mean by binding.  But could it be you were on the bumpstops there?  I have to raise my car a lot or I am on bumpstops in 7 and 17 big time

[davew]

With front tires off the ground, turn the left front wheel lock to lock by hand. Watch the steering shaft through the wheel well. Look for a bow/bannana in the shaft.

 

Then remove the power steering plugs, turn the wheels by hand from lock to lock. You should get little to no fluid out the ports on the rack.

 

You may also have a bent ball joint that is binding, was caster or camber effected?

 

Check the 2 bolts on drivers side of the rack. Try to spin the washers. I have seen the bolts bind, leaves the washers loose (the bolts feel tight with a wrench) which gives a loose/click feeling that feels like a bind. The thread is odd ball. Chase with a tap, no need to remove the rack to do it. If you do not have the proper tap, install an extra washer and see if the problem goes away.

 

That is where I would start

dave

[av8tor]

thanks Dave - digging into it tonight.

[av8tor]

I guess I am not sure what you mean by binding.  But could it be you were on the bumpstops there?  I have to raise my car a lot or I am on bumpstops in 7 and 17 big time

John - thanks for the input.  Doesn't feel like the bumpstop.  I feels like the joint in the steering column is binding, Dave may be on to something.

[Jim Drago]

John - thanks for the input.  Doesn't feel like the bumpstop.  I feels like the joint in the steering column is binding, Dave may be on to something.

Lol.. The bumpstop.. 

What Dave said

start there

Jim

[Danica Davison]

Lol.. The bumpstop.. 
What Dave said
start there
Jim

 

I am just a driver

[av8tor]

it was the protective boot that was torn and being pulled into the pinion gear.  New boot, problem solved.  

[Danica Davison]

it was the protective boot that was torn and being pulled into the pinion gear.  New boot, problem solved.

 

Ah yes. That was my second guess.

[Tom Hampton]

Ah yes. That was my second guess.

that's some funny sh*t, right there!