scoobyc

iTrader: (2)

Right, before i go and change my Rack im going to change the bushes and the fluid to see if that fixes the issue.

Can anyone tell me if the 98 STI classic as the 30mm or the 25mm bushing straps as per detailed here:
Buy Subaru - Front - Steering rack & pinion mount bushes 30mm by PRI Racing Ltd. buy online

Also if anyone can recommend any bushes/places to buy/fluid that would be cool.

Thanks
Chris

scoobyc

iTrader: (2)

bttt

[-(o)-]

iTrader: (1)

30mm on my '99 STi - but as they're different phases its worth measuring them and only takes a couple of minutes.

JDM_Stig

iTrader: (3)

As above got to be checked, early ones were 25mm on a 1995s etc.
scoobyparts.com are good and fair priced for bushes as Ive recently used them with great success, fluid shouldnt be anything special,
Can I ask what your steering issue is please just incase we can shed some light on it for you.

http://www.scoobyparts.com/acatalog/...CK_MOUNTS.html
if that helps any.

scoobyc

iTrader: (2)

Hi JDM Stig,

My steering issue is complex/vauge. Its going to be hard to describe what is wrong, but i can def feel something.

When i first got the car, the steering was perfect apart from being waaay to light. however this was as it was designed to be.

Couple of track days later everything was still perfect.

Found a big expanse of tarmac, and gave it some sideways action and spun with the nose swinging round J turn style quite hard. After that my steering wheel was off and the car didnt really drive straight.

Based on the advice on here i got a full AWD alignment done, however the problem persisted.

When i put a different set of wheels on, the steering wheel is straight but i can still feel something wrong.

Something like:

Wandering
Steering wheel return not always work to the full
At slow speeds sometimes the steering goes heavier
Unstable under braking. or atleast less stable than before
You can hear a quiet squeel sometimes when stationary turning the wheel. it sounds like you can hear the fluid being pushed through a hole. Its not all the time, ive only just noticed it.
If i put my old wheels back on even after the alignment the steering wheel becomes off center again.

The problems are very subtle. But if you drove it before and after you would know its not quite right. The car is still totally drivable and has done a skid day and track day at donny, but not confident anymore, its a bit edgy.

Gonna start with bushes and fluid, then change the rack. I have checked everything i can but i cant find anything obviously wrong with the car. Possible tired bush on the wishbone where the ALK will go.

I need a panel filter and some plugs to so scooby parts it is. I did a search on their site but it came up with nothing. i clearly wasnt looking hard enough.

scoobyc

iTrader: (2)

bttt

JDM_Stig

iTrader: (3)

Its not a track rod end or worn ball joint is it? the ball joints would get some hammer with the J turns etc,
The steering bushes do help it feel a little heavier but not sure it stops the vague feel,
You don't have any movement in the steering column do you? I know some vx`s used to have a UJ issue on the columns which felt horrible at speed.

scoobyc

iTrader: (2)

Nah the steering seems tight anough. It perhaps feels looser but its not noticable when looking at the wheels.

scoobyc

iTrader: (2)

How do a check the balljoints/track rod ends?

Ive given them a good tug and nothing moves. no splits int he rubbers neither.

scoobyc

iTrader: (2)

Ok on the drive home here are a few more observations for you Stig.

When i accellerate it feels as if the nose pulls right, when i lift if it pulls left. A tiny amount each time.

Shedding the last 5mph with my hands of the wheel gentlyish from a straigh position, the steering wheel turns itself clockwise about 10deg. untill its the same off as with the 16" original tyres. then it doesnt pull any more.

I think the last point may be significant. It seems the "center" neutral alignment is something wrong. Could this be a movement in the rack i.e. bushes?

Any of this ring a bell?

scoobyc

iTrader: (2)

Right. Just popped out to have a look under it.

Everything looks tickety boo. The bush size is 30mm for a v4 JDM STI 1998 on the steering rack mount thing.

One observation, the ball joint (track rod end) on the drivers side (where for some reason i expect the problem lies) all the grease has come out. and the rubber is loose. Cant see any cracks in the rubber cos its dark, but yeah all the grease has come out on my fingers. THe other side was fine.

Could this all be down to this?

How do i test for a buggered ball joint?