Dodgy steering

[Exidor]

The steering on my VZ seems to be dodgy.
Every time I hit a minor bump there is a shock
transmitted straight to the steering wheel.
This will slighty pull the s/wheel either to the left or right.
Just driving normally on a straight road you can feel
small pulses through the s/wheel.
All the above makes for a very poor driving experience.
The shocks are all new monroes. Radius rod bushes have
been replaced. Recent wheel alignment also. SV6 wheels
and 235/17 tyres with FE2 height.
Any ideas folks?

[Calaber]

Rodbol

Any steering freeplay?
Any noise accompany the shock - if so it is dull or sharp as in metal to metal?
Check steering rack mounting bolts for tightness.
Check that the 2 lower mounting bolts on struts are tight - were they replaced when new shocks went in? They should have been.
Any signs yet of abnormal tyre wear?
Also check upper strut mounts to see that they are tight in the mountings and the rubber insulators are sound with no cracks appearing around the centre sleeve.
Check tie rods for looseness at both ends.
Check lower control arm inner bushes - you mention that the radius rod bushes were done but are the control arm ones sound and tight?

[Exidor]

No noise at all to speak of.
New clevis pins went on with new shocks.
All suspension appears to be tight.
Checked rack mounting points.
Suspect problem with rack or maybe pump
because of weird pulsations.
Tyres are worn on insides from negative camber
when they are on the rear.
Could either cause these problems?
Strut tops were not replaced but appeared fine,
should I have replaced?

[Calaber]

No noise at all to speak of.
New clevis pins went on with new shocks.
All suspension appears to be tight.
Checked rack mounting points.
Suspect problem with rack or maybe pump
because of weird pulsations.
Tyres are worn on insides from negative camber
when they are on the rear.
Could either cause these problems?
Strut tops were not replaced but appeared fine,
should I have replaced?

Excessive tyre wear can have a major effect on the car's behaviour. If the rears were swapped to the front, did your problems start from that point?

The steering pump isn't likely to be the problem as it is only connected to the steering hydralically, not mechanically, so any road defects would not affect the pump action and feed back to the steering wheel.

The strut tops are a potential weak point but it usually takes a fair distance for them to clap out. You can check them visually to see if they are ok

From your description, it sounds like it could be either the worn front tyres and/or a defective steering rack. Any defects such as excessive play in tie rods or tie rod ends should have been picked up at the time of the wheel alignment.

The only other thing I can think of is the steering coupling between the rack and the steering shaft. Check that out for free play too.

[Exidor]

I'll put the training wheels back on (factory 15in)
to see if the tyres ae at fault.
Will check the coupling tomorrow.
Ta.

[Exidor]

Put the training wheels back on, no difference.
Steering still very strange. No freeplay but not very linear.
All other suspension seems to fine. Coupling fine.
If the rack is at fault will it need to be replaced and
why and how does this happen?

[Calaber]

Put the training wheels back on, no difference.
Steering still very strange. No freeplay but not very linear.
All other suspension seems to fine. Coupling fine.
If the rack is at fault will it need to be replaced and
why and how does this happen?

The rack can be adjusted - the free play between the pinion and rack is controlled by an adjusting nut with locknut which can be seen on the bottom of the rack directly beneath the pinion. Perhaps your steering is adjusted too tight. The adjusting nut should be tightened to 10-12 Nm then backed off between 20 and 28 degrees. If that tension has been exceeded, it could be that your pinion is too tight and the shock you encounter is kick-back from the road impact because of lack of clearance in the steering gear. ( I am just guessing here)

If your rack needs adjusting, it should be done off the car. Perhaps it's time for a visit to a steering specialist, not just your "friendly" Holden dealer or "back-yard Bob"?

[Exidor]

Thanks for you help.