Steering feels heavy and uneven

[willmason]

Hi, I'm new to this forum and hope someone can help put me at ease. We have a 16 year old Bongo that a few months ago started feeling that the steering was "notchy" when turning corners. You can control the wheel but it feels alternately light and heavy when turning corners and the wheel doesn't spin back freely as it should when straightening up.

It wasn't a major problem and I took it in to a reputable but non-Bongo specialist garage to look at a few weeks later. Typically it felt better on the journey in and when they checked the steering they couldn't find anything wrong.

It's happening again now and seems persistent. Not noticeable on motorways etc.. but only on roundabouts and proper corners.

Has anyone any idea as to what it could be?

Thanks for your help,

Will

[the laird]

Sounds like your steering u/joint have maybe started to seize up its at the bottom of your steering column.disconnect it and it should be nice and loose ,this is where I would start

[Bob]

Fluid low?

[Northern Bongolow]

try this.
http://lushprojects.com/bongopartsmk2/c ... mgno=.html

or this.
check out the moveable vanes at the pump head, these can stick, they should move. try steering recon fluid it may improve things available at most good motor factors.
http://lushprojects.com/bongopartsmk2/c ... 2of02.html.

[phil 1]

Hi had the same thing happen to mine recently a quick squirt of some spray grease to the universal joints on the steering column and its been fine since

[mikeonb4c]

And just to eliminate CV joints from enquiries, is yours 2WD or 4WD?

[al & chris]

We have same problem with ours. Intermittent at first then most of the time. Have not done a proper job yet but just a quick spray with lithium grease which has worked. Was thinking about degreasing totally then re greasing. Anyone know what is the best lubricant for these joints.

[mikeWalsall]

Not saying it's the best .. but on hard to get at bits I tend to use an aerosol motor bike chain lube ...

On a motor bikes chain It sprays on like a thin oil .. penetrates the links and rubber 'O' rings .. then turns into a real sticky 'none fling off ' grease....

[paramatt]

Yep, sounds like the u/j on the lower steering column. I had it on mine a couple years ago, should be a simple fix!
Matt

[ThisIsTheSea]

Same thing happened to mine a few months back. As others have said, spray grease (lots!) on the universal joint fixes it.