Steering very stiff

[FMJ]

I finished (almost) my MK4 and had it aligned last week. As I peck away putting a few miles at a time and checking to make sure everything is okay my issue is the steering. Its manual and stiff which I expected however its stiff to the point that it does not return to center. My suspicion is I might have a ball joint problem but before I tear into this, is it normal for manual steering on a MK4 to act this way?

-Fred

[Gumball]

Check your caster - that is what gives the system it's return-to-center action.

Also, stiff is relative. Un-assisted, these cars are just like the old school cars of the '60s. Mine seemed stiff, too, as it'd been a few years since I drove my last old car, but after a couple thousand miles, it seems just right and is actually quite pleasant and communicative.

[FMJ]

+3 degrees on the caster.

When I say stiff, if you turn a corner it'll just keep on turning. The wheel makes no attempt to return to center.

[Rootbeer Roadster]

No it's not normal. Your alignment guy didn't do a good job. Either take it back for another attempt or find someone else.

[skullandbones]

Hi Fred,

I'm assuming you presented the guy with the FFR recommended numbers. One of the things your shop should do is a check of the lock to lock and movement of your suspension. Sort of like a pre flight check on an air plane, looking for any kind of abnormality. They should also do a test drive afterwards. When I took mine to the Firestone Store they spent about an hour and a half on it. You would expect the guy to notice the stiffness and failure to center. It just doesn't sound right. Also, is everything greased liberally. Just checking. I agree. Take it back first before you do anything. There should be a warranty and you don't want to void that before checking with them.
Good luck,

WEK.

[CraigS]

Doing an alignment has nothing to do w/ checking all the components on a new build. No it's not normal for the wheel to stay in whatever position you turn it to but I don't see that as an alignment guys responsibility. I think you are better off checking this yourself. I would put the car on stands and turn the steering wheel back and forth to get a feel for the resistance level. Then disconnect one tierod end at a time re-check the resistance. This will tell you if the problem is in one side or the other. If the resistance doesn't drop off w/ both tierod ends disconnected you have either a rack or a steering column problem. There is a resistance or friction adjustment built into the rack. Although it is almost never adjusted it will be worth checking if the problem seems to be in the rack itself. Although I only have a power rack pic, a manual rack will have similar. See the big lock nut (w/ the green paint dot) w/ the smaller nut in it's center. Loosen the big nut w/ a hammer and punch if you don't have a wrench. Then turn the center nut. Counter clockwise is less friction.

[FMJ]

Thanks for the input. I agree that alignment shouldn't necessarily cause this and also think from having driven manual cars in the past, this is not normal. I'll pull the wheels tonight and go through the process of elimination and hopefully figure this out. Because the build was four years in the making, ball joint(s) and/or the rack are my lead candidates.

-Fred

[hatley]

I finished (almost) my MK4 and had it aligned last week. As I peck away putting a few miles at a time and checking to make sure everything is okay my issue is the steering. Its manual and stiff which I expected however its stiff to the point that it does not return to center. My suspicion is I might have a ball joint problem but before I tear into this, is it normal for manual steering on a MK4 to act this way?

-Fred

I'm to the same point as you, alignment is right on, in process of shaking down the car(200 miles)steering is getting stiffer every day,
dropped the tierods, found the problem, very stiff ball joints, to a point where one lower squeaks like crazy.Even relatively hard to
turn by hand,should be smooth by hand.Must be those after market joints from the kit...searching for top quality balljoints &part #.
Robert

[bmcglone]

One of my goofs during the build was putting the tie rod ends through the top of the steering arm. This made for stiff and unpredictable steering. Put the tie rod ends through the bottom of steering as it should be and my problems went away.

[Ram4x4sprt]

Bring the caster down to +1 degree.