Go Back   The 75 and ZT Owners Club Forums > The 75 and ZT Owners Club Forums > Technical Help Forum
Register FAQ Image Gallery Members List Calendar Mark Forums Read
Notices

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 4th March 2022, 12:22   #1
hogweed
I really should get out more.......
 
Vauxhall Insignia CDTi; MG TF 135

Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Norn Iron
Posts: 2,942
Thanks: 942
Thanked 378 Times in 297 Posts
Default Steering vague / play?

The Rover was off the road for a couple of weeks there, so I got quite used to driving the TF every day. Now that the old tractor is back, I notice all the differences… one which is really obvious is the steering – so much so that I wonder if there might be something wrong with it?


The steering feels a lot more vague than the MG’s – almost as if there’s a lot of play in it. It might just be “how they are” of course – there’s never been any mention of it in the MOT etc, and most if not all of the suspension etc gubbins has been replaced now.


Is there anything I need the mechanic to have a specific look at during its next service? There’s a very faint leak from one end of the steering rack, so I’m looking at getting that replaced anyway, but not sure if it could be the problem…


Anything else obvious? She’s done over 200,000 miles now
__________________
Past cars: MGB GT; Escort 1300 Sport; Vauxhall VX4/90; Marina Coupe TC; Celica ST (1972); Montego Turbo; Astra GTE 16V; Astra GSI 16V; Golf GTI 16V (Mk II); Sierra XR4x4 Estate; BMW 325i (E30); BMW M3 3.0; BMW M3 3.2 Evo. Left some of the more embarrassing ones out. And about 30 motorbikes.
hogweed is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4th March 2022, 12:46   #2
SD1too
Doesn't do things by halves
 
SD1too's Avatar
 
Rover 75 2.5 Connoisseur Auto (1999) Dealer launch model.

Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Former Middlesex
Posts: 20,272
Thanks: 1,587
Thanked 3,749 Times in 3,181 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by hogweed View Post
The steering feels a lot more vague than the MG’s – almost as if there’s a lot of play in it.
Have you had a four wheel alignment carried out Roger?

Simon
__________________
"Whatever is rightly done, however humble, is noble."
Sir Henry Royce.
SD1too is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4th March 2022, 12:54   #3
hogweed
I really should get out more.......
 
Vauxhall Insignia CDTi; MG TF 135

Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Norn Iron
Posts: 2,942
Thanks: 942
Thanked 378 Times in 297 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by SD1too View Post
Have you had a four wheel alignment carried out Roger?

I have indeed Simon about 6 months ago maybe.


The car isn't wandering or anything like that - it feels more like the steering is connected to the wheels via rubber bands, if you get me... and it absolutely may be just how these cars are, compared with the very tight steering on the little TF
__________________
Past cars: MGB GT; Escort 1300 Sport; Vauxhall VX4/90; Marina Coupe TC; Celica ST (1972); Montego Turbo; Astra GTE 16V; Astra GSI 16V; Golf GTI 16V (Mk II); Sierra XR4x4 Estate; BMW 325i (E30); BMW M3 3.0; BMW M3 3.2 Evo. Left some of the more embarrassing ones out. And about 30 motorbikes.
hogweed is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4th March 2022, 16:08   #4
COLVERT
This is my second home
 
R75 Saloon.

Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: France/or Devon.
Posts: 14,003
Thanks: 3,851
Thanked 2,167 Times in 1,816 Posts
Default

Shouldn't be much play at all really.---With my engine running and reaching in through the drivers window to the steering wheel it's virtually instantaneous movement of the front wheel as I turn the steering.-----------
COLVERT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4th March 2022, 16:32   #5
hogweed
I really should get out more.......
 
Vauxhall Insignia CDTi; MG TF 135

Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Norn Iron
Posts: 2,942
Thanks: 942
Thanked 378 Times in 297 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by COLVERT View Post
Shouldn't be much play at all really.---With my engine running and reaching in through the drivers window to the steering wheel it's virtually instantaneous movement of the front wheel as I turn the steering.-----------

Hhmmm yeah... think mine does too.


I'm beginning to suspect it's just a "gearing" issue, with the Rover's wheel having to be turned a fair bit more for the same effect


Ah well. Don't worry about it - I'll get it checked out at MOT time.
__________________
Past cars: MGB GT; Escort 1300 Sport; Vauxhall VX4/90; Marina Coupe TC; Celica ST (1972); Montego Turbo; Astra GTE 16V; Astra GSI 16V; Golf GTI 16V (Mk II); Sierra XR4x4 Estate; BMW 325i (E30); BMW M3 3.0; BMW M3 3.2 Evo. Left some of the more embarrassing ones out. And about 30 motorbikes.
hogweed is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4th March 2022, 16:57   #6
stocktake
Vis Whiz
 
stocktake's Avatar
 
Rover 75 2.5 auto Saloon

Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: LEEDS
Posts: 20,582
Thanks: 2,057
Thanked 3,056 Times in 1,621 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by hogweed View Post
Hhmmm yeah... think mine does too.


I'm beginning to suspect it's just a "gearing" issue, with the Rover's wheel having to be turned a fair bit more for the same effect


Ah well. Don't worry about it - I'll get it checked out at MOT time.
Try driving my Sunbeam 90 with screw and nut steering. It's a good job the motorway has three lanes
__________________
Dave...



Lost a few stones and a Gall Bladder and part of a bile duct and all of my dignity in the suppository incident
stocktake is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4th March 2022, 18:25   #7
clf
This is my second home
 
clf's Avatar
 
MG ZT CDTi

Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: carrick
Posts: 7,859
Thanks: 3,494
Thanked 2,657 Times in 1,973 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by hogweed View Post
Hhmmm yeah... think mine does too.


I'm beginning to suspect it's just a "gearing" issue, with the Rover's wheel having to be turned a fair bit more for the same effect


Ah well. Don't worry about it - I'll get it checked out at MOT time.
I got that feeling driving a pre facelift 75 after the ZT - which was a gearing issue. Also I noticed the more turns which exaggerated it (it can be quite scary driving my mother's '99 base Clio too lol).

A crude check though if it is concerning you, is to jack up the front wheels, and hold the tyre at 9 and 3, gently but firmly move the wheel in and out with the hub as the axis, as you would checking for bearing movement. If there is any undue movement or play, it will likely be related to the track rod end ball joint. This could give a vagueness at the beginning that you had become used to until the TF.
__________________


It is not gloss primer .............. it is duct tape silver!
clf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4th March 2022, 18:55   #8
hogweed
I really should get out more.......
 
Vauxhall Insignia CDTi; MG TF 135

Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Norn Iron
Posts: 2,942
Thanks: 942
Thanked 378 Times in 297 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by clf View Post
I got that feeling driving a pre facelift 75 after the ZT - which was a gearing issue.

Cheers Alan - so is the gearing (right term?) different on the ZT then?
__________________
Past cars: MGB GT; Escort 1300 Sport; Vauxhall VX4/90; Marina Coupe TC; Celica ST (1972); Montego Turbo; Astra GTE 16V; Astra GSI 16V; Golf GTI 16V (Mk II); Sierra XR4x4 Estate; BMW 325i (E30); BMW M3 3.0; BMW M3 3.2 Evo. Left some of the more embarrassing ones out. And about 30 motorbikes.
hogweed is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4th March 2022, 21:13   #9
clf
This is my second home
 
clf's Avatar
 
MG ZT CDTi

Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: carrick
Posts: 7,859
Thanks: 3,494
Thanked 2,657 Times in 1,973 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by hogweed View Post
Cheers Alan - so is the gearing (right term?) different on the ZT then?
Gearing.or speed (think of a quick.rack) would be the terms I would use.

I only drove the 75 once,basically pulling out of the junction, turning right, I had to turn it noticeably more (of a turn) than the zt.

Later 75s (possibly facelifts?) and contemporaries apparently had the same rack as a zt.

Sent from my SM-A600FN using Tapatalk
__________________


It is not gloss primer .............. it is duct tape silver!
clf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 5th March 2022, 09:33   #10
hogweed
I really should get out more.......
 
Vauxhall Insignia CDTi; MG TF 135

Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Norn Iron
Posts: 2,942
Thanks: 942
Thanked 378 Times in 297 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by clf View Post
Gearing.or speed (think of a quick.rack) would be the terms I would use.

I only drove the 75 once,basically pulling out of the junction, turning right, I had to turn it noticeably more (of a turn) than the zt.

Later 75s (possibly facelifts?) and contemporaries apparently had the same rack as a zt.

Cheers for that Alan - as mine's late 2004, it may have a later rack. I guess I'll just have to drive your nice MG for a week or two to find out
__________________
Past cars: MGB GT; Escort 1300 Sport; Vauxhall VX4/90; Marina Coupe TC; Celica ST (1972); Montego Turbo; Astra GTE 16V; Astra GSI 16V; Golf GTI 16V (Mk II); Sierra XR4x4 Estate; BMW 325i (E30); BMW M3 3.0; BMW M3 3.2 Evo. Left some of the more embarrassing ones out. And about 30 motorbikes.
hogweed is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 15:20.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright © 2006-2023, The Rover 75 & MG ZT Owners Club Ltd