Steering System excessively tight 190E

[Steve-O]

Hi,
my 1991 Merc 190E just failed its MOT today because the "Steering system is excessively tight"

Does anyone know what can cause this??

The car has non standard wheels on with lower profile and wider tyres than standard and it has a smaller steering wheel fitted. Could fitting some standard wheels with standard sized tyres and a standard steering wheel maybe loosen the steering up enough for it to pass?

Thanks

 

[mike65]

The only thing I can think of is a partial seized lower arm which the tester should be spotted if it were not working properly.

Mike.

 

[television]

Same as Mike65 plus all of the swivel joints

 

[Steve-O]

thanks will have a look at them tomorrow

 

[Legoman]

yes it could , all those factors you listed would make steering very heavy. does the car have power steering? , if so a fluid change might help , or might point to a loose pump belt..

 

[star]

more likely to be one of the lower ball joints, disconnect the track rods from the hubs to see whech 1 is siezed,

 

[Steve-O]

found out today that the steering didnt fail on normal turning by the steering wheel with the wheels on the ground but failed on not being able to move the steering by the actual wheels while the wheels are in the air with the engine off.

Found out that the problem was the Steering Damper so thats sorted now

thanks for the help

 

[MikeMcCarthy]

I gaurentee that will be your lower arm ball joint's thats all it can be