Hey all,

Just bought Jakeys 2.0, a new GTV, which is awesome and mint and a ride thread will be up later but it does have one flaw I noticed which didn't show up as a problem on my test drive...

...the steering is crazy light. I think that's the terminology, basically every time I go over a bump the steering wheel jerks in my hand like it's trying to get away from me and the wheel just feels very airy and loose in normal driving, not very precise. I'm wondering what the likely cause and cost to fix this would be?

I might not even notice it's bad if not for the fact I drove another identical model and slightly more K's GTV and the steering was definitely more precise and stable on that one. For reference, the existing tyres are quite worn (Still more than enough tread for roadworthiness) as the rims and tyres will be getting replaced very soon so. Could that be it?

Get a wheel alignment when you get your new wheels balanced. Bonus points if you get your alignment done at a suspension shop instead of kmart tyre and auto.

Get a wheel alignment when you get your new wheels balanced. Bonus points if you get your alignment done at a suspension shop instead of kmart tyre and auto.

Yes might need to go see murph at beaurepairs!

Also as mentioned, id be checking tyre pressures. even if this isnt the problem, its a new car, should still be done, including ya spare!

is the steering very vague? as in, does it have a lot of play? if so could it be the steering rack..?

Get a wheel alignment when you get your new wheels balanced. Bonus points if you get your alignment done at a suspension shop instead of kmart tyre and auto.

I got mine done at kmart at the port and the guy did it so well haha

Proportioning (crap speeling I know) in the rack, this is quite common with rack systems, is allowing too much pressure into the rack thus it reacts too easily as well as feeling too light

is the steering very vague? as in, does it have a lot of play? if so could it be the steering rack..?

Yes.


Proportioning (crap speeling I know) in the rack, this is quite common with rack systems, is allowing too much pressure into the rack thus it reacts too easily as well as feeling too light

Nah dude proportioning is correct! And noted! How much would that cost to get fixed if it were that?

Do the easy stuff first. Power steering fluid? You never know

I would love to know the answer to this one, the steering in my sports feels so loose so to speak compared to my wagon which feels as tight as a drum to steer!

Do the easy stuff first. Power steering fluid? You never know

you'll know when you're low of power steering fluid, you'll be able to hear the power steering pump struggle a bit and the steering gets heavy.. sounds like you might be in for a new steering rack though.. IIRC usually when there's a fair bit of play there's something broken or worn out within the steering rack (someone can correct me on this)?

you'll know when you're low of power steering fluid, you'll be able to hear the power steering pump struggle a bit and the steering gets heavy.. sounds like you might be in for a new steering rack though.. IIRC usually when there's a fair bit of play there's something broken or worn out within the steering rack (someone can correct me on this)?

Doubt it's that then, the steering feels very light, not heavy, and vague too. I think what i will do is live with it for a couple weeks, get my tyres, put them on with my new rims and get them aligned and balanced, and see if it improves. If not then I may be in for a new steering rack, how much would that likely cost, and is that just one part or what? I might try and get a vid to demonstrate, thought might be tricky to show driving one handed :P

Just tried to show it but at night the footage is not particularly fantastic. Gist of it is though, I can turn the wheel almost a quarter of a turn either way rapidly during driving and the car doesn't respond, which is what I mean by it's vague. When I say it's light, in the old GTV if I hit a light bump the steering wouldn't react. In this one, light bumps cause it to jerk left or right in my hand, it just feels like the steering has absolutely no weight. On the vid I actually took a roundabout slowly and shaking the wheel around and the car just went through smoothly in the centre of the road.

Had a mate at work come have a look at the car with me this arvo when I mentioned the steering issue. We played around with it for a bit, he reckons as tiny movements on the steering wheel are actually making the tyres turn very slightly it's not indicative of a busted rack. He reckons the reason it feels so loose and jerks when I hit bumps is that the front drivers side wheels strut or bush something (Can't remember what it was he pinpointed) is worn out as when he pushed hard on the side of the wheel you can feel it knocking ever so slightly, whereas the passenger side wheel isn't moving at all. I'm not mechanically minded, does this sound at all indicative of anything or is he full of shit? :P

It's due for the 120,000 service (Only done 116 but it was due for it according to the sticker in December) which is apparently not very expensive according to the dealer so I may have them look at this and fix it when it's in?

In this case would it be worth me waiting before I put the new wheels on until after I get this fixed?

Hey jakeys, did you sort your issue? I have a similar issue I think, and I get a knock/clunk in front right wheel under brakes - think its a control arm bush. Interested how you got on?
Cheers.