R32 GTSt steering problem - please help

[HSVKLR]

Hi guys....

The steering wheel doesnt seem straight when im driving straight ahead on a dead flat, straight road.

I recently had new tyres fitted thinking that that couldve been the problem. Had balance and alignment. Problem is still there on some roads. Falken specialist said it's cos the car is lowered and it tracks the camber of the road.

Fair enough but why is it when after ive been driving for a few minutes and i build up speed on a main road that i can almost see the steering wheel turning in my hands (always the same direction - down to the left) but the car still steers a steady straight course?

It's so disconcerting as you're building speed to have to readjust your driving style every few mins to compensate for the changes in steering wheel movement.

I was reading in HPI that there's a thing on GTRs called a steering wheel position sensor which can be zeroed.... could this be the prob on my GTSt?

[Sydneykid]

What where the wheel alignment specs when you had it checked?

I will bet it has less caster on the left hand front than the right, common problem. Either that or they didn't check the rear wheel alignment. Either way the specs will tell the story.

[HSVKLR]

Dunno about the specs but i made sure they did a rear wheel alignment aswell..... so more than likely castor...

Im getting a servie tomorrow so ill make sure it gets checked

Tell me something though, it's highly unlikely that the camber of the road would cause such major steering wheel alignment issues eh???

[Sydneykid]

Dunno about the specs but i made sure they did a rear wheel alignment aswell..... so more than likely castor...

Im getting a servie tomorrow so ill make sure it gets checked

Tell me something though, it's highly unlikely that the camber of the road would cause such major steering wheel alignment issues eh???

Just like a dyno is for an engine, I never leave the workshop without a printout of the wheel alignment. If you have a lack of caster on the left, then the road camber just makes it worse, it's like 1 + 1 = 3. If there is a left front camber problem as well (even a slight one) then 1 + 1 + 1 = 5. And some roads have way more camber than others...........

Hope that helps

[mist]

HSVKLR - is what u are experiencing like this - say u start off driving slowly, steering wheel is straight. then as u build up ur speed, you find that you have to turn the steering wheel to one side, but the car is still going straight?

two things -

1) HICAS may be leaking on R32 (happened once to me, locked it and problem went away)

2) problem came back later on, more severe. turned out that one of the steering rack rubber bushes thingy was worn out and allowing unwanted movement - not sure what they're called, it was this rubber ring like thing that are on both sides of the steering rack. ordered replacements from Nissan, got it the next day and problem gone.

hope that may help

KJ