20 replies to this topic

[LazyDonkey]

Been discussed before but for the benefit of newbie's..... Picked up my car yesterday after it had been in the dealers again. They still haven't fixed my light switches properly and I'd asked them to tighten up the bolts on the steering coupling thing (sorry I'm an idiot!) as it felt a bit loose. I last had it done about a year ago, and I remember the difference being staggering, but I'd forgotten just how good it is. Blasting home last night the steering just felt so much more planted and just gave me heaps and heaps of confidence......especially through the slow stuff. Someone with a modicum of engineering knowledge will no doubt give you a "how to" on it, but failing that just mention it on next service as it doesn't appear on the service sheet. Not sure if it is more apparent on my car as I use it every day and mooch around Glasgow's potholed streets, but I now intend to get them tightened every few months.

Edited by LazyDonkey, 07 March 2006 - 10:21 AM.

[Ratspants]

I keep hearing this too. Anyone fancy through a few photos up to highlight what bolts need tightening? Torque settings? Ben

[Mutt & Jeff]

Yes please!

[kipper]

I think that the first port of call is the pinch bolt in the UJ located at the base of the steering column. Can be seen in the foot well, below the pedals. The play is generally on the splines, tightening up the bolt , cures the problem. Can't seen to copy the diagram from the TIS disk at the moment

[wil_scotland]

Lazy, You need to show me where this is the next time we meet up. Wil

[Richiemouse]

Attached Files

•  VX_steering.jpg   53.79KB   24 downloads

[LazyDonkey]

I fink they are 21 and 22 Dead easy to see if yuo stick your head in the drivers footwell (although you will have to be upside down at the time)

[earlystock]

Yep that's them, mine had been tightened so much the tread had stripped, only the fact it was Nyloc stopped it falling out! New bolts in now, made a huge difference

[craglett]

Can anyone suggest torque settings if this is something we can do ourselves?

[TonyKL]

Or what do you ask if you want someone else to do it for you?

[ad172]

That'll be on my list of things to do for Easter then!!!

[pugwhizz]

my bolt was pretty tight although the clamp still 'rocked' slightly on the shaft. literally tuned it half a turn more and the difference was unbelievable. you do have to be an indian rubber man to get into a position to be able to be a significant amount of force on the spanner to turn the bolt.

[LazyDonkey]

Or what do you ask if you want someone else to do it for you?

I just said to my vaux dealership (who define sh*t and useless) that the steering felt a bit vaugue and loose and possibly thoses bolts were a bit loose.

Didn't even charge me for it.....

......granted my car has been in the garage at least once a week for the past 4 months, mainly due to their incompetance, but hey it wsa still free !

No idea on torque settings but I'm thinking as tight as the b*starding thing will go !

[djegiant]

Mine were tight as fcuk already! Couldnt even budge them!

[HRL]

Just had a replacement engine mounted fitted and whilst the technician was at it I asked him to tighten the two bolts as well. It's like the car has just come off the production line, the steering is so tight. If anyone wants to know they should be set at 35nm.

[craglett]

If anyone wants to know they should be set at 35nm.

Good work HRL. Now does anyone think we can fit a torque wrench up under the dash?

[caleebra]

I am away to put on a new clutch return spring. I will see if I can tighten my nuts at the same time

[caleebra]

Well, I couldn't move anything by hand and there was no play when turning the wheel (you should've seen the position adopted to do this) so this confirms to me that my VX is as tight as a nun's... erm, purse string?

[Flanners]

Well, I couldn't move anything by hand and there was no play when turning the wheel (you should've seen the position adopted to do this) so this confirms to me that my VX is as tight as a nun's... erm, purse string?

In my garage with my laptop just tightened them good info cheers. Just did the expansion tank as well. Love saving st/dealer prices

[bohemoth]

i bought a new universal joint from the elise parts website sometimes the play comes from the nylon swivel in the centre of them which cant be tightened it was about £40 and the difference was unbelievable . i changed the lower one, top ones next but its almost impossible to get into with a spanner not a job to be taken lightly.