Steering - Club Astra 2001 Estate

[Desireless]

I've just been to the garage to check all 4 tyre pressures on my mum's Astra. Something's wrong somewhere, it's like you're driving on ICE, but weather condtions are fairly okay at the moment. There's an every-so-slight feeling that the power-steering is occasionally pulling a little to the left, like a nudge. Any ideas? Oh, and the front tyres are at 31 yet look as if they are deflated a lot.

 

[Mike (archive)]

What is it like maneuvering on full lock, or lock to lock? does it feel at all strange, like you have to somehow turn the wheel more than normal? I do have something in mind but I dont want to say just now as I dont want to panic you un-necessarily!

Mike

 

[LeakiestWink]

I've just been to the garage to check all 4 tyre pressures on my mum's Astra. Something's wrong somewhere, it's like you're driving on ICE, but weather condtions are fairly okay at the moment. There's an every-so-slight feeling that the power-steering is occasionally pulling a little to the left, like a nudge. Any ideas? Oh, and the front tyres are at 31 yet look as if they are deflated a lot.

What type of Astra (year, engine size, trim), & what tyres (make, type, size, & how old).

Have you used your own trusted tyre pressure gauge - it is not unusual - oh bugger off Tom Jones - for garage air line gauges to be not calibrated correctly. If you don't have your own gauge, try another garage. Don't forget that tyre pressures need to be checked and adjusted with the tyres COLD. Also, there is a knack to getting the correct pressure reading from garage airlines.

Don't forget that, just like your engine needs time to warm up from cold, so do your tyres. Some brands/types of tyres are particularly prone to feeling "strange" in cold weather, until they have warmed up a bit.

Also something else to consider, last winter, some councils started to use a "different" salt compound for winter road treatment. There followed a number of complaints, particularly from motorcyclists, about the roads being a lot more slippery on these treated roads. (Naturally, local councils buried their heads in the sand, denying any problems with the new salt mix).

Rgds
Sean

 

[Alan (archive)]

I presume the tyres are OK?

If you still have a problem after confirming the tyre pressures are right I would pop in to your local Vauxhall garage and ask for some free advice. They should be happy driving the car with you and giving you advice.

If there is something wrong you might get an out-of-warranty contribution if the mileage is reasonable and it has a Vauxhall service history.

 

[Desireless]

What is it like maneuvering on full lock, or lock to lock? does it feel at all strange, like you have to somehow turn the wheel more than normal? I do have something in mind but I dont want to say just now as I dont want to panic you un-necessarily!

Well, to be honest, that line made me panic un-necessarily anyway lol. I've rechecked the car and so has mum, the steering doesn't feel like it has to go further than it should.

 

[adder1969]

I presume the tyres are OK?

If you still have a problem after confirming the tyre pressures are right I would pop in to your local Vauxhall garage and ask for some free advice. They should be happy driving the car with you and giving you advice.

If there is something wrong you might get an out-of-warranty contribution if the mileage is reasonable and it has a Vauxhall service history.

Well you must have very much more understanding vauxhall dealers around your way.

 

[Desireless]

Have you used your own trusted tyre pressure gauge - it is not unusual - oh bugger off Tom Jones - for garage air line gauges to be not calibrated correctly. If you don't have your own gauge, try another garage. Don't forget that tyre pressures need to be checked and adjusted with the tyres COLD. Also, there is a knack to getting the correct pressure reading from garage airlines.

/me throws his panties at you.

Yeah, we checked the tyres with a garage gauge, a regular footpump and a new digital gauge. The garage was showing a slightly higher reading, so we decided not to trust that.

Don't forget that, just like your engine needs time to warm up from cold, so do your tyres. Some brands/types of tyres are particularly prone to feeling "strange" in cold weather, until they have warmed up a bit.

Also something else to consider, last winter, some councils started to use a "different" salt compound for winter road treatment. There followed a number of complaints, particularly from motorcyclists, about the roads being a lot more slippery on these treated roads. (Naturally, local councils buried their heads in the sand, denying any problems with the new salt mix).

Funny you should say that, cos I passed my test in the summer. I began learning around this time last Winter - it was extremely icy but whatever they were putting on the road made it feel safe. I was out yesterday in some minor ice, roads gritted and ended up going about 5 mph everywhere. Whatever they're putting down now is different in colour to last year - white now, not yellow. I think I may skip driving until the summer returns

 

[Desireless]

I presume the tyres are OK?

As said earlier, they are okay. Nice tread on them, about a couple of months old, weren't cheap either.

If you still have a problem after confirming the tyre pressures are right I would pop in to your local Vauxhall garage and ask for some free advice. They should be happy driving the car with you and giving you advice.

I know our family mechanic would do this, but last time I went to check out the rattle on my Corsa, Vauxhall stated they would need 40 quid just to look things over

 

[adder1969]

As said earlier, they are okay. Nice tread on them, about a couple of months old, weren't cheap either.

I find new tyres tend to squirm a bit until they're more worn in. There's a *huge* difference between wet and dry traction and some tyres are appalling in the wet or cold. It coudl eb that you've got some suspension wear, the alignment is out or just plain that you're not driving very well.

 

[Mike (archive)]

Well, to be honest, that line made me panic un-necessarily anyway lol. I've rechecked the car and so has mum, the steering doesn't feel like it has to go further than it should.

Sorry to worry you, but something about a car steering funny cropped up on this group a while back. I told the guy it sounded a lot like his steering rack had come loose and was floating from side to side when the wheel was turned. His attitude was along the lines of 'whatever...' . I guess he was a serious prick!

FWIW, look under the bonnet and try to see the rack. with the engine running to work the power steering, have someone turn it from lock to lock while you watch the rack for movement.

Mike

 

[Desireless]

Sorry to worry you, but something about a car steering funny cropped up on this group a while back. I told the guy it sounded a lot like his steering rack had come loose and was floating from side to side when the wheel was turned. His attitude was along the lines of 'whatever...' . I guess he was a serious prick!

FWIW, look under the bonnet and try to see the rack. with the engine running to work the power steering, have someone turn it from lock to lock while you watch the rack for movement.

Cheers, I'll do that this morning

 

[Desireless]

FWIW, look under the bonnet and try to see the rack. with the engine running to work the power steering, have someone turn it from lock to lock while you watch the rack for movement.

Excuse the delay, Me and Christmas don't get on.

I've done the above personally with our mechanic (the non-Vauxhall guy) - nothing's wrong with the actual steering. It does appear that it was the cold weather in some way - since it has warmed up a little and the problem seems to be absent. I'm going to take the car for 5 minutes at a time - every day - for the next couple of weeks and will report any changes.