Hi all, got a bit or a strange problem.

My steering feels like I'm driving on ice, especially round a right hand bend. Seems a bit like it's about to let go. I have already done a lot of work to the car and hoping its something obvious I'm missing.

I have:
New all season tyres (have tried my other wheels as well)
New track rods and ends
New ball joints
New wishbone bushes
New drop links
New ARB bushes
New rear shocks
New bushes in all the rear control arms
All tracking done.

My last options are steering rack and/or pump. Whichever it could be I would be inclined to do both anyway while it's all off. Fluid is fine and pumps not particularly noisy.

Its a 2004 mini one 1.6.

Its just today passed a UK MOT test, so i know all the joints etc are fine :/

Cheers 😀

 

When is the last time you had an alignment?

 

I think that's what he meant by "tracking".

 

Maybe it's the nut holding the steering wheel.😆

 

Are the two sets of tires the same size or very close to the same size?

When I switch from the summer tires to the winter tires on my R53 the steering gets really light. They are a bit different in size, one inch in circumference and one inch in width. This is more than enough to make the steering feel VERY different between the two sets of wheels and tires.
Summer tires are 205/55-16
Winter tires are 175/65-15

 

Steering column?

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...mc-w-pics.html

 

Cheers for the reply

Yes i call alignment tracking i have rechecked alignment since and its fine.
the 2 sets of tyres are identical size just on 2 different sets of alloys. Both sets result in the same handling issue so I rules tyres as not the problem.
Steering wheel seems to still be well boltes :p
The UK MOT checks all bushes and joints etc

It seems the steering kind of needs more input (turn wheel further) especially a right. I have also noticed the car does not quite return to centre after turning.

I have gone ahead and ordered remanufactured rack, pump and new pipework anyway.

Will let you know