Memory Steer - Help me diagnose - MK1 Escort

**Anthiron** · 18-08-2015, 23:08

Hi All,

I have a memory steer issue in my MK1 Escort that I would like to solve. Specs are below.

1972 Mk1 Escort 4 door
2L MK2 Escort struts
190lb 2" lower Burton Springs
Stock inserts
GAZ eliptical strut tops (Rose Jointed) I don't know the camber and caster settings however it just had a wheel alignment.
13"/6" Superlites with 185/60 road tyres
2.4 turn quick rack
Standard sway bar
Everything poly bushed.

Basically the car tracks straight however if I take a hard left or right hander and then straighten up it will pull to that side. If I take a corner to the opposite side it will usually track straight again. 2x turns to opposite side and it will start to pull to that side instead.

The quick rack is brand new. It was just fitted (Professionally) and a wheel alignment done. Exisiting tie rod ends were used when it was done. I think it was doing it a little before the rack was fitted however the lower ratio rack has made it more pronounced.

I was thinking it would have to do with the strut tops perhaps? I don't have the stock tops to put back in to try unfortunately and would prefer to keep the camber/caster change that these have given me.

Any ideas? I am away from the car now for 2 weeks but hoping to get some ideas to work on when I get home.

Nick

**freddy686868** · 18-08-2015, 23:22

The cheApest option is to try the steering rack bushes. Change them for poly bushes.

http://www.turbosport.co.uk/showthre...=197950&page=7

And then just go through everything on the front end. Ball joints, arb bushes the ones in the track control arms and the ones the arb swing in. Is the x member tight to the chassis rails? Top mounts might help but there is normally something lower down causing bigger problems.

**Anthiron** · 18-08-2015, 23:31

Hi freddy686868

Everything is already fitted with brand new purple poly bushes. Rack, arms, sway bar etc. everything.

I will have to check the cross member but it was certainly tight last time I was under there.

**Anthiron** · 19-08-2015, 04:08

Do these racks have adjustable pre-load? Maybe the new rack is just stiff?

**Erikmex** · 19-08-2015, 17:46

Had the same issue with RS springs, they will be turning in their seats. Difficult one to cure and a common fault with RS springs, your roller top mounts should help but 21/4 is the way to go. I've heard of guys tying the springs to the seats to stop the jumping. Sometimes you can hear the spring jump. When it's pulling I'd check and see if the spring end is in it's correct position in the seat, if not then that's your problem.

**HonkyWhiteTrash** · 19-08-2015, 18:43

Originally Posted by Erikmex

Had the same issue with RS springs, they will be turning in their seats. Difficult one to cure and a common fault with RS springs, your roller top mounts should help but 21/4 is the way to go. I've heard of guys tying the springs to the seats to stop the jumping. Sometimes you can hear the spring jump. When it's pulling I'd check and see if the spring end is in it's correct position in the seat, if not then that's your problem.

^^^^^^ What he said. Have had this on my car too.

**Anthiron** · 19-08-2015, 20:33

ah, that's something I hadn't thought of. Is there a good way to secure the springs? I would prefer to stick with the current setup.

**Erikmex** · 19-08-2015, 21:46

Cable ties I here, never tried it personally.

**Anthiron** · 06-09-2015, 23:47

Found my issue.

The top spring cups are fouling on the inside wall of the strut tower body work where they bulge To capture the end of the spring coil. This is causing the spring to turn inside the cup and depending on where it sits after turning a corner it leaves me with the memory steer.

Can I just remove the assembly and tap the body work with a hammer?