Heavy steering - advice please

[fufflenarnia]

Hi all,

My steering is very heavy (really hard to manoevre at low speed) - too heavy to put up with.

My van is a high top autosleeper with 1.9DG.

I have a set of alloys fitted - are these causing the problem, they are Mercedes fit, 15", 7J, fitted with 185/65 R15 tyres, but the offset is ET23 - is this making the steering so heavy? is there anything I can do without fitting power steering?

Many thanks,

Steve

[ninja.turtle007]

Sorry, couldn't resist!!

Check you tyre pressure and wheel alignment. Also is your steering wheel the correct one or is it an after market smaller one?

[CovKid]

ET23 is way off the recommended specs. I'm running ET25 which most will say is really pushing my luck. The problem is that the wheels will have a strong tendency to want to go in a straight line and thats what makes it heavy going. Bring the wheels closer to spec and you'll find it easier to steer. I've just got used to it - that and a forklift knob.

[fufflenarnia]

Many thanks for the replies,

Yes the pressures are right and it has the original steering wheel.

On the move it is fine, it is only the low speed work, I think it is probably the ET, shame, cos I like the wheels.

[kevtherev]

It is a shame, but the good thing is you asked on here and got the correct advice.. Plus your steering components will not wear out so quick.

ET 30 to 39 is within spec
mercedes wheels tend to fall within this and the ML class has wheels that fit without any fuss

[Ralf85]

My steering is heavy at low speeds and parking too on alloy wheels. Wish I had power steering. However, I just put up with it. It is not a major problem.

Patrick

[CovKid]

This is why this new generation of humans have thin arms.

[helga592]

I'm sorry but the only way to go is Electric power steering. It transforms the van to a classic you want to drive every day.

[camper]

Please can you tell me what The E and numbers mean with regard to steering.

[lloydy]

My steering is heavy at low speeds and parking too on alloy wheels. Wish I had power steering. However, I just put up with it. It is not a major problem.

Patrick

power steering really transforms these vans! One handed manoeuvres are the norm, and parking is easy

[fufflenarnia]

I think that EPAS will be the solution, I put the old steel wheels back on to see what the difference really was.

It is noticably better, but you still need to be doing regular weight lifting to manage it.

Unfortunately I have a shoulder injury from a rear end shunt years ago so hauling on the wheel is not good.

EPAS here we come!

Then a diesel engine then........