Dino steering components affected by heat?

I would say you have a steering & or rack issue. Have you ever done any work to it?

I had this some time ago when i converted it to a fast rack set up. It wasnt as bad as your car but it did cause it to become sticky!

Changed it back and the problem disappeared.

There isnt any major heat source that you need to worry about unless its extremely hot outside, there a UJ couplings that do wear and can cause this as well.

If its as bad as you say then i would investigate immediately

Tony

 

Several things in the chain can affect handling, outer tie rod end, inner tie rod end, rack, lubrication, linkage or even steering extension. As a first step you can grab the tie rod and inspect for play. If you're a DIY guy, here is a way to inspect the inner tie rods:
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=186051

Steering should be smooth and tight on the Dino, your keen sense of picking up on an irregular feel should be a safety warning to get this sorted out. Expert rebuilder, John Haller, once commented to me that the Steering Rack is one of the least maintained areas in the Dino yet one of the most critical in driving.

 

Sounds like something is seizing up. I would look at the rack especially lubricant levels.

Some just grease the rack internals on rebuilds, others fill the rack with oil. There is a test point on the rack which you can check the level, try this first. Don't think it's a track rod issue as this would just give you free play,

Also there is a bearing which is attached to the chassis just above the rack. This can cause the rack to stiffen up and cause you to over-correct.

 

What about the steering ball joints? They are the only item near a significant heat source I.e. the brakes. If they are worn or dried out, may cause stiff steering?
Have you tried carefully jacking the car up by the lower suspension arms so tyres off the ground but suspension under normal extension to see how the steering moves? If is ok, difficult to imagine why it would change with heat, unless something is really binding and expanding with friction.
Kevin

 

We are r&r 'L' Dino rack, and my vote goes to the two bearings as, out of three racks, all were shot, as was the inner bushing (plastic) at the drivers side.
Two racks, off two cars, the third a package buy will parts missing, except the good stuff.
Have to replace it with ph. bronze, and will last forever.
The racks never came off Dino(s) for maintenance in 80% of the cars, and as the greasing provision 'in-situ' is marginal, something has got to give.

Also, there are 2 U-Joints, 1 bearing on the column near the rack, and 2 more at the steering wheel hub. Check all, once.

Regards, Alberto

 

I second Alberto's observation. The Dino in my garage was fully restored from 2005-6. Included was replacement of the suspension components that wear out......ball joints, bushings, tie rod ends. However I have the same malady that you do. When cold the steering is fine and the car handles beautifully. However when things heat up the steering becomes "sticky" just as you explained. The car darts in one direction requiring correction in the opposite direction.......then "rinse and repeat". I have the car in the shop now for a rebuild of the steering rack. There have been quite a few posts from Dino owners about this problem with Dino steering. When repaired I will chime in with the results.

 

OK, some pics of the offending parts:
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more

 

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In the first pics, various components are shown. Internally all the same except for the small sleeve on the pinion in the E version.

Then, early L series version, with a high misalignment bearing, read big $, whereas little dinky ball with the sleeve and anti friction surface is much less on the E versions.

In this instance, the shaft spins inside the ball, whereas in the L, there is a much softer, kinder support albeit, more expensive. The plastic bushing at the end of the shaft is as cheap as posssible, and definitely to be replaced by ph.bronze.

As usual, in Dino land, there are no half measures, either all components are taken care of,
or niggling little issues will persist.

Tomorrow, I will post the remainder of the photos, as This silly machine will not upload them.

Regards, Alberto

 

Oh, and in the previous photo, this is what the grease looks like after it is applied, installed, cycled three times each way and disassembled again.

Not much left on the teeth...

Is thinner grease the solution? Cannot use oil, as there aren't any seals to hold it in.
Someone suggested 00 Lithium stuff.

 

I use a Gear Oil. Fuchs H90 80w-90 Gear Oil. Works very well and no leaks. Rack is silky smooth

Grease is OK but is tends to bind and stick in the places it shouldnt and not lubricate the places it should.

Filling the rack can be done on the bench or it can be done on the car via the bleed screw. The latter being the most awkward.

Tony

 

For those experiencing this issue (heat-related change in steering characteristics), how old are your tires? A possible explanation is that the steering is always a bit sticky, but when old, hard rubber tires are cold they demonstrate a different adhesion characteristic that changes with temperature (and distance). A reduction in adhesion would lessen the "self-centering" force of the steering geometry. Hence, the perception of "sticky".

No question that hard rubber will cause the car to "dart" across the lane, and I experienced this not-so-subtle handling characteristic for many years until I changed tires.

Just another, perhaps worthless, opinion. Just seems that there is not much in the steering rack that will warm with use, and radiator heat is not that significant to change material characteristics.

Jim S.

 

High mis-alignment Bearing (L) Vs. cheap ball (E),
Cheap ball is worn inside, has some coating similar to a teflon pan and wobbles.
Dennis McCann has them.

Regards, Alberto
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