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MG MGF Technical - Sticky steering 2 right, uneven tyre wear .....

Symptoms: Sticking steering to the right after first pulling away, uneven front tyre wear and veering to the left at all times.

Hi, i posted on here back in March 03, and was told to get a new EPAS column fitted.

I've since put up with the problem, but it's got worse, and i notice now that new advice suggests either "wishbone bushes" RP Armitage 3/10/06 or "torque sensor" Rob Bell and Keith 19/4/06.

It's now most annoying as i have to hold the steering to the right at most speeds to stop the car veering left. I did have the tracking/balancing laser aligned last year when i replaced both back tyres with Toyo Proxie F1s. The fronts are still Goodyear NCT5.

What is the current common agreement with regards the fault please? my local independent garage will follow guidelines for me if i want, rather than simply replace the EPAS column (at great cost!). I can perform basic tests myself with a jack/axle stands etc.

Many thanks, Tony
Tony

The reference to torque sensor means the EPAS steering column. There is a torque sensor on the column that notices when you turn the wheel and how much you turn it. This sometimes becomes out of calibration and then instead of being "Off" in the straight-ahead position, it is "Off when turned to the left. Thus the PAS always keeps trying to turn the car to the left. If you pull out the EPAS fuse the problem should go away and the car is still OK to drive, although the steering will be a little heavier.(look in your driver's handbook to find out which fuse it is).

Most garages will want to fit a new column for lots of money, but the torque switch can be reset as described on Rob's site. It's not an approved fix, but lots of folk have done it successfully.
Mike Howlett

If you have some time to scour the archives there was a chap on here last year offering a while you wait (I think) recalibration for a fixed price - a lot less than a new steering column. Are your hydragas levels the same both sides?
C.R.B. Simeon

Thanks chaps, i do remember the article about the chap by the name of Alan who offered the recalibrate service. I'll try the remedial action on Rob's site first, then perhaps give Alan a shout second option.

Many thanks, Tony
Tony

IIRC, Alan's based in Grenwich - but I'd imagine that most MGF specialists would be able to offer a similar service.

Good luck Tony, and let us know how you get on :o)
Rob Bell

As Mike suggests pull the big fuse on the nearside under the front bonnet. If that cures your problem then it is the torque sensor for the EPAS. It's more fiddly than difficult to reset this and it certainly solved my problem. Another way to tell if this is the problem is -

When you start your engine does the steering wheel turn? If you jack the front of the car up and start the engine you'll see your front wheels turning (usually to the left), but you you should be able to tell just by looking at the steering wheel.
David Clelland

This thread was discussed between 09/01/2008 and 10/01/2008

MG MGF Technical index

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