The car passed the TÜV (MOT) today. There were two different steering errors. For unexplainable reasons the Quaife steering was set much too tight as I wrote before. It is now adjusted in a way that the steering is just not heavy. This is about 1/8 turn back from full stop. Lorne Goldman even recommends 1/4 turn back on the Quaife steering. But I wanted to stay on the safe side. And still it's a lot freer than it was before. We've checked and cleaned all the parts. The spring works like it should. Also the plastic cylinder that transfers the force of the spring to the pinion works fine and is easy to move. Since the revised setting, the steering has become much lighter. It is now as it should be. I have never driven another 4/4. Therefore I have no comparison and no reference. My former Morgan had much more weight and much wider tyres. I can't compare it to that. But I think that the steering of the bigger Morgan was as smooth as the current one is now, but due to weight and wide tyres more friction was added at that time. But when driving faster, the steering of the Roadster was as smooth in the middle position as it is only now with the 4/4.
The second problem we found is of a completely different nature. This brings me back to the phenomenon of uneven steering forces described in the first post. We have examined all Ujoints and all bearings are 100% ok. We have taken everything apart and inspected them individually. And we mounted the Ujoints again in such a way in their position to each other that the deflection forces are as balanced as possible. But about every half turn of the steering wheel there is a resistance peak that has to be overcome. Even if now everything is much lighter going.
If we turn the front wheels from left to right the steering wheel turns faster than if we turn it by hand. Thereby an effect has become visible. The first cardan shaft with its Ujoints in the engine compartment, seen from the steering wheel and ending in the metal box under the wing, does not run smoothly. You can clearly see how the rod jumps up and down with every fast turn.
I see two possible explanations. Either the shaft is crooked or one of the Ujoints has not been welded exactly centered. We will have a closer look. On the other hand, I must say that the steering has never been as good as now. I have a lot more feeling for the road and tyre grip than before. More about further investigation regarding the rod later (in spring).
PS. Regarding the steering adjustment. We let the toe rods fixed in the rubber bearings but the steering clearly has to be adjusted again even if it is not so much out of play.
