Steering question

All things round and their alignment to your direction of travel

Moderators: User administrators, Moderators

Post Reply
User avatar
Buster Bungo
Registered user
Posts: 10
Joined: 10 Jan 2025, 14:17
80-90 Mem No: 0

Steering question

Post by Buster Bungo »

Hello everyone here,

We are just in the process of buying our new (old) T25 camper, when I went to view/test drive it, i found the steering almost as heavy as the old Bedford Green Goddess, truly beastly.

Is this par for the course, or, could it be down to incorrect wheels/tyres/pressures?

If the above is possibly what should the correct configuration be?

Not excellent pics but do these look the okay?  I haven't got the van yet so I can't get the tyre size.. Sorry.

ImageImage

 

davidoft1
Trader
Posts: 2875
Joined: 27 May 2009, 18:56
80-90 Mem No: 16628
Location: hayling island

Re: Steering question

Post by davidoft1 »

It’s normal when the vehicle isn’t moving , need to change driving style a little to accommodate, easy peasy once driving

User avatar
R0B
Moderator
Posts: 19379
Joined: 07 Oct 2005, 17:33
80-90 Mem No: 864
Location: Cheshire

Re: Steering question

Post by R0B »

A lot of people add power steering.
2.1 LPG/Petrol Auto Caravelle

"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits"

User avatar
Buster Bungo
Registered user
Posts: 10
Joined: 10 Jan 2025, 14:17
80-90 Mem No: 0

Re: Steering question

Post by Buster Bungo »

davidoft1 wrote: 10 Jan 2025, 17:00 It’s normal when the vehicle isn’t moving , need to change driving style a little to accommodate, easy peasy once driving

Heavy as hell, even when moving, on a roundabout for example.  May need to add Power steering.

User avatar
maxstu
Registered user
Posts: 4938
Joined: 07 Feb 2008, 01:05
80-90 Mem No: 3946
Location: Margate

Re: Steering question

Post by maxstu »

Standard size C rated tyres? And what size wheels? They look like 15/16" Mercs?
Check tyre pressures. I inflate fronts to 43psi and rears to 48psi.
I'm running two campers (for now). One with factory PAS. The other without, and it is fine to park and drive. Top quality tyres and correct pressures are the answer.
Also PAS steering will wear tyres more quickly than non PAS. I get about 25K with PAS. 40K non PAS.
MaxStu
1987 DG1.9 LPG Auto Autosleeper. Soon to be 2.1
"Blissfully happy in your presence".

User avatar
Rik
Registered user
Posts: 70
Joined: 20 Jun 2024, 20:29
80-90 Mem No: 9999
Location: Alkmaar, The Netherlands

Re: Steering question

Post by Rik »

What's the size of the steering wheel? The originals are quite big to make the steering lighter, a small aftermarket one will make it a lot heavier.
1986 tintop called Rutger. 1.6d (CS), 4 spd (ABF). Self-converted to camper in the Netherlands.

TwinTurbo
Registered user
Posts: 338
Joined: 04 Sep 2024, 03:49
80-90 Mem No: 17758
Location: carlisle

Re: Steering question

Post by TwinTurbo »

Our mk1 Golf was nealy as bad .

But given these thing are like land yatchs even in a light breeze , having that damping effect is probably usefull
TwinTurbo

1985 1.9 DG Caravelle Autohomes Karisma

shepster
Registered user
Posts: 1718
Joined: 12 Oct 2005, 11:14
80-90 Mem No: 1342
Location: Wolverhampton.

Re: Steering question

Post by shepster »

They're Ford Granada wheels.
2.1 DJ running on carb and LPG.

TwinTurbo
Registered user
Posts: 338
Joined: 04 Sep 2024, 03:49
80-90 Mem No: 17758
Location: carlisle

Re: Steering question

Post by TwinTurbo »

That's why I recognise them.. 24V Cosworth Wheels 

Interestignly I don't rememeber ever seeing that 190E in the background...

Image
TwinTurbo

1985 1.9 DG Caravelle Autohomes Karisma

TwinTurbo
Registered user
Posts: 338
Joined: 04 Sep 2024, 03:49
80-90 Mem No: 17758
Location: carlisle

Re: Steering question

Post by TwinTurbo »

I tried them on my Galaxy Once..

Image

I seem to remember I sold them to my brother in law and he put them on his T4 Panel Van.
TwinTurbo

1985 1.9 DG Caravelle Autohomes Karisma

User avatar
Buster Bungo
Registered user
Posts: 10
Joined: 10 Jan 2025, 14:17
80-90 Mem No: 0

Re: Steering question

Post by Buster Bungo »

maxstu wrote: 10 Jan 2025, 20:07 Standard size C rated tyres? And what size wheels? They look like 15/16" Mercs?
Check tyre pressures. I inflate fronts to 43psi and rears to 48psi.
I'm running two campers (for now). One with factory PAS. The other without, and it is fine to park and drive. Top quality tyres and correct pressures are the answer.
Also PAS steering will wear tyres more quickly than non PAS. I get about 25K with PAS. 40K non PAS.

Top tip cheers, I will check the TP as soon as I get hold of it, I kinda suspected this at the outset,   :ok

User avatar
Buster Bungo
Registered user
Posts: 10
Joined: 10 Jan 2025, 14:17
80-90 Mem No: 0

Re: Steering question

Post by Buster Bungo »

Rik wrote: 10 Jan 2025, 20:21 What's the size of the steering wheel? The originals are quite big to make the steering lighter, a small aftermarket one will make it a lot heavier.

Yep it's definitely original, it's massive!

User avatar
Buster Bungo
Registered user
Posts: 10
Joined: 10 Jan 2025, 14:17
80-90 Mem No: 0

Re: Steering question

Post by Buster Bungo »

shepster wrote: 11 Jan 2025, 09:09 They're Ford Granada wheels.
Aha!
I was looking at a set of the original steel ones, however, they're in Norfolk and I am in sunny Glasgow. :|

Che
Registered user
Posts: 175
Joined: 23 Jul 2024, 10:14
80-90 Mem No: 17761
Location: Norfolk

Re: Steering question

Post by Che »

If yours is a high top, driving and steering in wind is a completely different experience! Especially when artic's are going about 56mphn past at the same time as the wind!

Post Reply