Total embarrassment on U turns

[EsperHamid]

Hey Guys,

Finally solved that EGR issue, turned out to be the EGR valve itself, lift sensor, I will rip off the old one and try to fix it and maybe do a DIY, ... only the car feels worse now that EGR code 12 disappeared for good. but that's not my topic !!!

The embarrassment actually comes from the damn Steering /Suspension System !! this has been since I first bought my CB7 from its previous owner.

I want to change my CV boots because they are ripped and there's no grease inside .. however I reluctant of doing it because I think there's another problem that might relate into ripping those boots more often.

The issue is, when I conduct a U turn in the city, the damn steering wheel turning cycle is short @ the left side (driver side ) .... I have to reverse two times in order to make that U turn and deal with all the crap from the people in traffic.

what might seem to be the problem ?! Alignment ?! Tie Rods !? Sway bar ?! CV Axels ?! .... Please help me fix this car ... I am progressing !!

[XCRN]

Hate to tell you this but I think it is just how the car is designed. Stiffening the rear might do something, but I have the same complaint.

[Punkrampant]

Is the turning cycle longer on the right side? Has the power steering rack ever been replaced?

[EsperHamid]

When I owned the car, I haven't replaced it and from the looks of it, the rack seems like the original one because there's a good old pile of dirt on it that is hard to clean but not impossible.
well since I got my hands on the ride many things needed fixing and were not in their respective place, some were even loose.

Yes the turning cycle on the right side is much longer than the one on the left ... when I was out of the country my dad got the CV boots changed, not before long they were torn again ... inner and outer.
what do I need to do??? in pictures if possible and if you want me to take the pictures no problem.

[Wickit]

Sounds like the rack and pinion was aligned the wrong way. Since the right is longer than the left.

[EsperHamid]

Sounds like the rack and pinion was aligned the wrong way. Since the right is longer than the left.

any DIY or instructions from a manual could be of help ?! because I wanna put new CV boots, don't want them torn very soon like the previous ones.

Thanks

[Darkcloud]

You would have to undo the outter tierods and turn the steering wheel til its centered., even length on both sides of rack, then place the outter tierods back on and set toe.

Best way I can explain without pics.

[EsperHamid]

I jack up the car, then loosen both tie rods then center the steering wheel and adjust both tie rods to an even length using a ruler ?! ... what's "set toe ?!"
this is my first time working on this part of the car

[sonikaccord]

No, the best way to do it, imo, is to count the number of times you turn the tie rod and repeat on the other side except in the opposite direction.

Example:
If you turn the tie rod CW on the left 3 turns, you will turn it CCW on the right side 3 turns.

[EsperHamid]

Thanks sonika, so all I have to do is adjust the tie rods, this is important because I wanna fix that before changing the CV boots so they don't get torn earlier than expected.

come to think of it, each tie rod has threads, so should I start by loosening the left tie rod and make it taller since, the car in its current state turns more to the right side as compared to the left side.
also do I need to disconnect each tie rod from the hub to be able to adjust it ?

[reklipz]

This assumes your alignment is proper to begin with. If it's not, all this is going to do is set it back to the misalignment it had to start.

[sonikaccord]

Negative.

You would center your steering wheel first and then proceed with the adjustment.

Yes you need to disconnect the tie rods from the knuckles. I would recommend using a balljoint separator but a big hammer does the job nicely as well.

[EsperHamid]

I've tried the hammer before to change my UCA, looks nice indeed. alright what about what reklipz said ?! how did he assume that my ride is already aligned ?!

[Darkcloud]

Yo I forgot to add us a string to make sure your within spec. Use pcv piping if you have it or just tape rge string to the bumper and door Duct tape or painters tape.

If the front wheels is like this / \ your to need to spin the tierods in if the frontwheels are like this \ / you need to spin the tierods out. The wheel has to be like this or close as possible [ ]

[reklipz]

I've tried the hammer before to change my UCA, looks nice indeed. alright what about what reklipz said ?! how did he assume that my ride is already aligned ?!

I'm just guessing about that, because I don't know. My point was: if the toe wasn't in alignment before you do that procedure, it won't be after either. But, your steering wheel will be closer to center, etc.

Alignment goes bad over time due to stress and wear.