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Steering feel

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2015 6:47 pm
by moulin12
Ok, so possibly this is something I have only just honed in on and in fact I'm just being a little neurotic, but over the last couple of days I have begun to become aware of the feel of the road through the steering wheel much more than I ever did before. In fact, the Roc's steering has always struck me as having an absence of feedback, whereas as now I'm feeling a sort of low key harshness. It's really hard to describe; doesn't exactly feel like it's direct from the road but as if some combination of components are working quite as smoothly as they did once - as if something is a little worn. No noises, grinding etc. Tyres have a good depth.

Sorry to be so vague - guess I'm just looking at suggestions for starters for 10 to either investigate/think about further. :shrug:

Re: Steering feel

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 11:01 am
by chelspeed
What might have changed in a couple of days? Have you checked tyre pressures? Have you clouted a kerb or pot hole? If so check tracking, castor can affect steering feel. But not sure if you can alter that with a clout.

Re: Steering feel

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 12:49 pm
by Jnorgate
Mine 2009 Roco did the same and it was due to the tracking. Also if you notice an increase in road noise it could be coming from the back as the pre facelift model has a tendency for the back tyres to go out of shape. Hence the unspoken about change in the facelift model. Only found this out when they lifted it at the garage.

Re: Steering feel

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 3:32 pm
by chelspeed
Jnorgate wrote:Hence the unspoken about change in the facelift model.
Which is what?

Re: Steering feel

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 8:03 pm
by moulin12
chelspeed wrote:What might have changed in a couple of days? Have you checked tyre pressures? Have you clouted a kerb or pot hole? If so check tracking, castor can affect steering feel. But not sure if you can alter that with a clout.
Well, nothing that I'm aware of. I have had to go up a kerb onto a cul de sac island to park a couple of times, though have been careful in doing so. However, first the first time in 18 months of owning the car, the other day I did deliberately looked at the offside front tyre for inflation because, for some reason (not the vague description I gave above) it felt as something wasn't right. Simply, it was giving out an impression of being a bit flat, but wasn't; and the feeling has either gone away or I've already incorporated into current steering feel experience, if you know what I mean!

I prefer to use my local franchise for my work. Any idea on the cost for an inspection?
Jnorgate wrote:Mine 2009 Roco did the same and it was due to the tracking. Also if you notice an increase in road noise it could be coming from the back as the pre facelift model has a tendency for the back tyres to go out of shape. Hence the unspoken about change in the facelift model. Only found this out when they lifted it at the garage.
Interesting, in that a few time recently I've been tanking it about a local ringroad that has some raised expansion points along a longish curve, such that I could feel the back end slipping slightly. Nothing totally mad road grip wise, but pushing it a little, I guess.

Re: Steering feel

Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 7:59 am
by andyy
Any snapped / damaged springs? On my old RenSport my pigtails had snapped and the feeling through the steering wheel was awful!

Re: Steering feel

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2015 7:34 pm
by moulin12
andyy wrote:Any snapped / damaged springs? On my old RenSport my pigtails had snapped and the feeling through the steering wheel was awful!
No :) Nothing like that!

I'm still trying to understand when there's a issue or whether I'm simply turning my attention onto something that I haven't been aware of before - trying it out in the various modes etc. Drives in a perfect line hands on. Suspect I'll end up waiting for it to be investigated at the next tyre change/service. Last MOT did report a non-failure seeping shock - and I've always had the squeaking issue that occurs under hard braking (should have persisted with the issue when it was under approved warranty) - so possibly it's worsened.