I have a 1996 escort 1.4 and i have suddenly developed a problem with my steering. After turning down a road the steering felt as if it wanted to continue in the turned direction. At first it felt as if i had got a puncture and although i could turn the wheel back, it felt like there was some resistance there. This was the same turning in the opposite direction also. There feels to be nothing loose on the wheels when rocked. Any help on what this could be would be appreciated.
cheers
If you have power steering, check that the belt hasn't broken and the fluid is topped up.
In a car with McPherson struts, if the bearing/s at the top of the struts have gone this allows the top of the strut to wander and can produce the symptoms you describe. Also, it's hard to tell if the bearings have gone because of the pressure of the suspension spring.
Rob Graham
Al the symptons of a knackered top bearing on one of the struts. The bearing is resisting being turned, so as it turns it is twisting the spring. Go round a bend, and by the time you're round, the bearing has turned. Straightening up feels heavy because you're turning against the spring resistance again. A few bumps jogs the bearing, and releases the twisting tension on the spring. Any stiffness in either top bearing, and you lose the self centreing as well. You normally can't feel the bearing by rocking the car or wheel as there's too much weight on it, to move it by hand. Try it with the front of the car jacked up, and turn the steering to feel if there is any roughness, or stiffnes in the bearings. Mike.
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