Stiff Steering Issue

[DSGMach395]

I had a minor track day incident that left me with some body damage and a bent tie rod. I replaced the tie rod and noticed the steering is stiff. It is really bizarre because I could feel it with the front tires off the ground, mostly on the left end of the steering spectrum, and then it would loosen up as I rotated the wheel to the right. On the street while driving it feels heavy on center. But this is even wierder, when I turn the wheel, engine on, not moving, it doesn't feel so bad.

Anyways, there has got to be someone on here that has whacked a curb and bent a tie rod. Anyone run into this issue?

 

[DSGMach395]

I just realized I should have posted this in the performance, suspension and steering section instead...

 

[CanadianGuy]

Sounds to me you bent the steering linkage. With engine on the electric assist is strong enough to compensate. I would check everything on the steering linkage.

 

[Sekred]

^^^, With enough force to bend a rod end, you may have damage the steering rack internally. Binding in one position tends to indicate the rack shaft is bend.

 

[haste]

maybe something with the steering system needing to be recalibrated due to the damage/replaced component.

 

[DSGMach395]

Im thinking the same thing that Sekred and CanadianGuy said. The physics behind it makes sense. Thanks for everyone's input. I'll report what I find when I replace the rack.

 

[DSGMach395]

Hey guys, here's a little knowledge I wanted to pass along about our cars.

They seen to have variable effort. I can tell because, having a bent steering rack that binds, I have an easier time turinung the wheel statically vs when driving. This is because while the car is moving the controller is commanding less steering effort.

Useless knowledge, i know. Maybe someone 10 years from now will be troubleshooting something and come across this...

 

[DSGMach395]

I finally got around to putting the new rack in, problem solved.

 

[Margiala]

Hey guys, here's a little knowledge I wanted to pass along about our cars.

They seen to have variable effort. I can tell because, having a bent steering rack that binds, I have an easier time turinung the wheel statically vs when driving. This is because while the car is moving the controller is commanding less steering effort.

Useless knowledge, i know. Maybe someone 10 years from now will be troubleshooting something and come across this...

Not quite ten years But thank you 🙏 smacked a curb about a month ago been looking for an answer all night