The 'E' Type Forum

Newbie with a restored 1966 FHC which has not had much use for past 2-3yrs. The steering is stiff and getting the steering wheel to start turning requires 2 hands. All of the resistance feels like it is in the column. UJs and rest of steering seem to work fine once you get it moving.
Am tempted to squirt WD40 or silicone down the splines into the bushes but have read enough posts to realise that simple isn't always the answer with e-types.
Would appreciate advice.

Colin

Welcome to the Forum Colin. Have you checked the two universal joints at the top and bottom of the lower steering column assembly? The originals did not have grease nipples for lubrication so for the cost it may be worth replacing them with the newer variety which do have the nipples. Unlikely there is anything in the upper steering column to cause the problem as there are only two elastolan bushes (NO lubrication!) in there. Try disconnecting the upper column from the u/j in the footwell and see if the wheel moves freely in its bushes. You can then check for free movement in the u/j. Presumably you have greased the car in accordance with Jaguar's instructions, especially the steering rack?

cdav wrote:Newbie with a restored 1966 FHC which has not had much use for past 2-3yrs. The steering is stiff and getting the steering wheel to start turning requires 2 hands. Would appreciate advice.
Colin

Check tyres aren't soft (what size tyres & steering wheel?). Roll front wheels onto glossy magazines and it should be dead easy to turn the wheel - showing the stiffness is not in that system (unless you have a dry/bent rack and then it would probably be uneven side to sise or get worse near full lock. Put a block of wood under the picture frame and jack both wheels off the ground for definitive diagnosis.

I doubt very much that you can get enough stiffness in the column bushes or UJs to seriously wieght the steering effort with the leverage of a standard 16" wheel, without some obvious stiffness/notchiness/creaking. Plus it probably wouldn't go away once the initial stiction was overcome.

Be careful, you don't want to loose turning ability in an E-type...

Pete

Many thanks to both for the feedback.
The problem is better described as initial stickiness on getting the steering moving. It's barely noticeable on first use but definitely gets worse as heat rises requiring the 2 handed effort at its worst. Once the steering is in motion, it seems free/smooth
Looks like the u/js are the most likely cause.

Thanks again
Colin

Either uj's or it could be a tight phosphor bronze bush in the rack. At he left hand end on a rhd car. I had that problem. Ok when cold but once warm it was enough to bind and stiffen the steering up significantly.
Graham

Had similar symptoms on my S1 3.8 and it proved to be the u/j at the bottom of the column breaking up. It wasn't a problem that grew progressively from a mild initial stiffness - it happened rather suddenly and made the steering heavy and very 'notchy' and stiff. It looked like a fairly catastrophic failure of one of the joint's cups and I'm glad I changed the joint when I did as I think it was about to fail entirely with potentially dire results on the road!

Column out, stripped everything down. UJs were fine, cleaned it all and re-attached everything but still there. Problem proved to be in column with the top bush - all looked fine (no visible damage/scoring, etc) so finally resorted to a little light lubrication. Problem gone.

Took a couple of strip-downs and could probably do blindfold next time!

Thanks to everyone for input/feedback.

Colin