Steering Shudder Problem

[mickq]

Hey all,

My Mk2 manual T has around 10,000km on it.

Recently it has started to develop a very noticeable steering shudder.

It pretty much always happens in this scenario:

Lets say you are driving down a narrow street. You want to do a U-turn so you slow down partially, swing into a driveway, then once stopped stick it in reverse and back out, completing your 3 point U turn.

When I do the slowing down whilst swinging into the drive part, I get this problem occurring: A shuddering noise from under the bonnet....feels steering related. At the same time the engine speed seems to drop a lot, and when I stick the clutch in it seems to come near to stalling before it recovers.

The car drives normally, except when I do turns at lowish speed whilst getting close to slowing down to a stop. I had it today again whilst turning into a car parking space in an underground car park. The engine's reaction is alsmost like the clutch is slipping and loading up the engine to the point where it almost stalls as its only doing 800rpm at the time. Similar to being stationary with the brake on and letting the clutch out a bit - engine struggles and comes close to stalling.

I know in some cars if you are stationary and turn the wheel to full lock it can slow the engine down lower than idle speed slightly - I am assuming as the power steering is putting too much load on the engine.

Anyone had this problem, or know of the solution?

I have a service due at 15k (5000km which will be a while away). Im assuming that as its impacting on the engine speed, it may be power steering related?

Otherwise steering is fine with no indication of a problem even when driven hard.

[ZAP]

It is a known fault and is fixed by replacing one of the power steering hoses witha XF hose.

Mine was bad, but have not had a problem since they did the fix

[dingah2]

Same as ZAP they know about the issue and there are a range of fixes (figure of 8s etc) ending with the hose - it worked on mine.

Dingah

[Chooka]

Spot on guys, they will change the fluid first in case there is an air lock then if that does not fix it they will put the upgraded hose on and that will fix the problem

Chooka

[XR06T]

good to hear guys, thanks..

I have something very similar to this happen too..

nasty shudder but mine doesn't want to stall..

its very tempremental, and only does it rarely..

thanks again guys

[YOOT]

Every model of Falcon has the steering shudder, from EB to BA, every single one I have driven shudders in the same way, in the same cuircumstances. Especially with wider tyres.

I'm sure the fix works, but my dealer keeps giving me BS about it so I just ignore it. My XT work car does it as well. The steering is 3 times lighter in the XT than in the XR, go figure.

[Antisocial]

......The steering is 3 times lighter in the XT than in the XR, go figure.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I noticed the same thing myself each time I drop my car in for a service and drive the loan car for the day.

I think you will find its due to the narrower tyres on the XT.

[RHR]

Yeah I have the same problem but only when the air conditioning is on

[YOOT]

......The steering is 3 times lighter in the XT than in the XR, go figure.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I noticed the same thing myself each time I drop my car in for a service and drive the loan car for the day.

I think you will find its due to the narrower tyres on the XT.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The XT has 17" 225 dunlops vs 17" 235 dunlops, so go figure!

[Ralph Wiggum]

correct me if im wrong but isnt the steering in the xr's set heavier to give it a better "feel" than an xt's beacause the xr's are "sportier" higher performance cars?