steering play

[ferny]

So the MOT threw up "offside slight play detected at steering wheel". Any thoughts, ideas or solutions? I've not stripped this part of an Acclaim yet and have not idea what's there, what can be replaced and where to source the bits. The steering is very heavy at the moment as well.

[Bitumen Boy]

Never had any problems with the racks, so would hazard a guess your problem is likely to be the trackrod end or bottom balljoint - which means replacing the whole bottom arm assembly, not a terrible job by any means so long as the captive nut behind the inner pivot is still captive. Local motor factors came up with the parts for us, but that's a few years ago now. I suspect, though, that the part may be common to something more recent/common, so if necessary take the old one along as someone may recognise it.

There are, of course, moving parts at the top of the strut to allow the whole thing to turn, but never had any need to go there.

[ferny]

I'm going to grab a couple of track rod ends as the dust covers on both sides were picked up as an advisory. For the effort I may as well replace both. I may even pick up a couple of arms and swap them out. I plan to deal with some rust and refresh each suspension corner over the year.

It's an odd comment on the sheet for me. I'd have thought if it was a TRE causing it it would say. I can't think of anything else which would impact one side only.



Suspension arm is unique to the Acclaim
[code]HONDA     51350SA0000
HONDA     51350SA0010
HONDA     51350SA0030
ROVER     BNP2460
ROVER     BNP7047[/code]
Its bush is common to 1980-90 Civic and Accords
[code]HONDA     51393SH3003
HONDA     51810SE0003[/code]
And the TRE is from the same period of Hondas and Rovers
[code]HONDA     53540 634 000
HONDA     53540 671 010
HONDA     53540 SA0 002
HONDA     53540 SB2 002
HONDA     53540611010
HONDA     53540611020
HONDA     53540-611-020
HONDA     53540634000
HONDA     53540-634-000
HONDA     53540659003
HONDA     53540671010
HONDA     53540-671-010
HONDA     53540679004
HONDA     53540SA0002
HONDA     53540-SA0-002
HONDA     53540SA0003
HONDA     53540SB0003
HONDA     53540SB2002
HONDA     53540-SB2-002
HONDA     53540SB2013
HONDA     53540SC2003
HONDA     53540SC2004
ROVER     GSJ 187
ROVER     GSJ 226
ROVER     GSJ 274
ROVER     GSJ 277
ROVER     GSJ 281
ROVER     GSJ187
ROVER     GSJ226
ROVER     GSJ274
ROVER     GSJ277
ROVER     GSJ281[/code]

[Bitumen Boy]

Quoted from ferny

It's an odd comment on the sheet for me. I'd have thought if it was a TRE causing it it would say. I can't think of anything else which would impact one side only.

Don't forget that MOT testers sometimes aren't the sharpest knives in the drawer, or the most literate. I would suggest having a good fiddle to see if you can find the cause of this steering play yourself before condemning any parts.

[citroentim]

Stiff steering could be caused by the lower ball joints as others have said but also the top strut bearings seizing up. we get this complaint of stiff steering at work quite a lot on older Xsara Picasso and Berlingo's and find the top strut thrust bearings are rusted solid. Maybe worth a look if you don't find a problem with the track rod ends, steering u/j and lower ball joints.

[heraldcoupe]

Was the comment a fail or an advisory?
Play in the inner track rod joints is no longer an MOT failure, it can only be recorded as an advisory, might it be this that's being suggested?

Cheers,
Bill.

[Bitumen Boy]

I don't know why I've only just thought of this, but it's worth mentioning something else we noticed with Acclaims - hard old tyres can make the steering noticeably heavy, but new tyres are an instant cure. Probably not so applicable here as it sounds like this particular car gets used regularly but worth bearing in mind anyway.

[ferny]

I shall take a nosey. Been meaning to but I've been drinking a little and not braving the cold outside since my holiday's started.
I've also still got to take the Herald down to him for an MOT so might try and pick his brains then. He's not the most conversation person going, but a very good tester.

Quoted Text

Advisory notice item(s)
Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)
Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt both (2.5.C.1a)
Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt both front bbj rubbers (2.4.G.2)
offside Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1b)
Tyre worn close to the legal limit all 4 (4.1.E.1)

Tyres are probably 4/5 year old Toyo's. When checked there's still 3mm of tread left but I'll be replacing them soon. Exhaust front section has been bought and just waiting for a warmer holiday to fit it.

[Barry Acclaim Guru]

I had heavy steering on Rupert which turned out to be the needle roller bearings in the top of the strut where it bolts to the inner wing, Seal had gone and water had got into it via the bonnet vent, Easy fix tho.
Never had to replace a rack, ever, no matter what the milage. never heard of one going, Gaiters, ok. But never a rack.

[ferny]

Found the source of heavy steering.





Cleaned, greased and thrown back together for now whilst I order parts. Looks like you need;
AXK3047 Needle Roller Cage 30x47x2mm       
AS3047 Needle Bearing Thrust Washer 30x47x1mm

Only issue being that you can't get the washer with the smaller hole, so I'll lap the original as there's no pick-up detectable at the moment.

Also ordered two front control arms. No huge need to but I plan to strip the front down again for a re-fresh so may as well go to the effort. I've always planned to replace the bushes anyway... Just need to grab some CV boots and brake discs. Shouldn't take longer than an afternoon to do the lot now the bolts aren't seized!

[JohnD]

Ferny,
for an entirely different application, how wide is that thrust bearing?  ID & OD, please?
John

[Barry Acclaim Guru]

Smack on the money. Glad you got to the bottom of the issue.