Steering - Club Astra 2001 Estate

Discussion in 'Astra' started by Desireless, Dec 11, 2006.

  1. Desireless

    Desireless Guest

    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.
     
    Desireless, Dec 11, 2006
    #1
  2. Desireless

    Mike Guest

    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
     
    Mike, Dec 11, 2006
    #2
  3. Desireless

    LeakiestWink Guest

    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
     
    LeakiestWink, Dec 12, 2006
    #3
  4. Desireless

    Alan Guest

    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.
     
    Alan, Dec 13, 2006
    #4
  5. Desireless

    Desireless Guest

    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.
     
    Desireless, Dec 13, 2006
    #5
  6. Desireless

    adder1969 Guest

    Well you must have very much more understanding vauxhall dealers around
    your way.
     
    adder1969, Dec 13, 2006
    #6
  7. Desireless

    Desireless Guest

    /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.
    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, Dec 13, 2006
    #7
  8. Desireless

    Desireless Guest

    As said earlier, they are okay. Nice tread on them, about a couple of
    months old, weren't cheap either.
    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 :(
     
    Desireless, Dec 13, 2006
    #8
  9. Desireless

    adder1969 Guest

    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.
     
    adder1969, Dec 13, 2006
    #9
  10. Desireless

    Mike Guest

    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
     
    Mike, Dec 13, 2006
    #10
  11. Desireless

    Desireless Guest

    Cheers, I'll do that this morning :)
     
    Desireless, Dec 14, 2006
    #11
  12. Desireless

    Desireless Guest

    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.
     
    Desireless, Dec 16, 2006
    #12
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