Newbie with the first of many questions.steering.

[helios]

Hi new to the forum and im from across the water in Ireland.Recently purchased a 89 mk2 helios blue with leather interior in good nick and I have a question.Im just wondering about the steering?Never drove a car without power steering before and the mk2 seems very stiff to me.Was use to driving Corrados and minis beforehand and there seems to be quiet a difference between power steering and non power steering.Now its not that I cant turn the machine,but is there any way of making the steering a bit lighter?Actually there is a bit of a knocking sound when I have the wheel turned fully when driving,is this normal?It has the original wheel size and tire size so there is nothing rubbing.Any info would be great,thanks

[Mew]

If the car is lowered then the steering tends to get heavier. Wider wheels/tyres and low offsets also make the steering heavier, but yours are standard so that won't be a factor!

In all honesty, i only find the steering heavy when parking on mine. May just be something you have to get used to!

Sounds silly, but have you checked your tyre pressures?

EDIT: Oh, and welcome! 

[helios]

Im probably just missing the convinience of the power steering ie turning in the Corrado with one hand on the wheel and the other on the gear stick.I will try the pressure in the tyres, I never thought of that,thanks

[Mew]

Does it have the standard steering wheel? A smaller steering wheel will also make the steering a bit heavier. If you have a leather interior then someone may have put on a leather steering wheel? From what i've read, leather steering wheels go with power steering and have a smaller diameter*.


*  I don't know that for a fact though so please feel free to correct me if i'm wrong! 

[helios]

Very good point,its a leather steering wheel allright and it actually seems to be a little bit crooked as if it has been taken off or replaced.Its the same size that my old car had the 91 16v Corrado.The car has defo not been crashed as it has passed all its MOT and the NCT just recently over here in Ireland.I presume it goes on and comes of the same way as the Corrado one?

[DarnPB]

You said about the knocking noise. Is this when the car is being driven? If so, does the noise get worse when turning tighter bends and corners? Check the constant velocity joints and boots. If a joint is bad, it will knock on turning. If there is grease been thrown around one of the joints, its a fair bet that particular joint is the bad one.
This won't be the cause of heavy steering. MKII's do have heavy steering anyway unless PAS.

[helios]

Only have the noise when fully locked steering ie in turning say in first.Locked it fairly hard after getting petrol yesterday in a tight petrol station..The car is fine on the road.

[DarnPB]

Check your C.V's

[helios]

Will check all the above,thanks everyone

[sesterfield]

Are you sure it has power steering?  My '89 valver doesn't