Peugeot 205, heavy steering, strut tops seized?

[jerrytug]

Hi chaps, in case any mechanics on here can comment on my problem. I would be very grateful if someone could tell me if I am barking up the wrong tree before I start work or spend money.
Car is a 205 diesel, bog standard with *only* 281,000 miles, and it drives like new, apart from one horrible issue which ruins what should be a nippy little runabout:
Turning the steering wheel is incredibly stiff, at parking and town speeds, it really fights you. And the more you turn the wheel the harder it gets.
Someone has suggested the strut tops, or one strut top, is seized and the steering wheel is winding up the spring(s).
I didn't know that was possible but it really feels like winding up a spring.

The front tyres are pumped up hard, as soft tyres give heavy steering.

It feels the same going left or right, so I don't think it is caused by chassis distortion.

The car was MOT'd a couple of months ago, no advisories on the steering or suspension, and they did the tracking, no improvement.
Lifting the car will take the weight off the strut tops, so not helpful for diagnosis.

I just don't believe Peugeot designed them to be like this, most 205's are manual steering, and meant for family use, not hairy-chested Austin Healey macho men...

Any suggestions guys? Mucho appreciado Jerry

 

[m_c]

Any suggestions guys?

Join a gym.
My first car was a 205 diesel, and slow speed steering was heavy. My parents also had a 405 estate, and it was even worse.
It was just something people dealt with, as power steering was a luxury at that time.

 

[Bobupndown]

Track rod end seizing?
Are the gaiters on the steering rack still in one piece and retaining oil?
Are there UJs between the steering column and rack? Not unheard of for these to seize up, some lubrication can fix that issue.
A 205 diesel does have relatively heavy steering at parking speeds but definitely not to the extent you describe.

 

[tigdlo]

Get someone to turn the steering lock to lock with the weight of the car on the wheels while watching the springs and top mounts.

 

[jerrytug]

Get someone to turn the steering lock to lock with the weight of the car on the wheels while watching the springs and top mounts.

Excellent idea! Thanks

 

[CompoSimmonite]

We had a 205GRD and main complaint by wife was heavy steering. It managed a fraction under 300,000 miles before EVERYTHING wore out so it got scrapped

 

[Gareth J]

Another cheap experiment; drive onto a pair of greased sheets of steel or heavy plastic (one pair for each front wheel) should let you more or less eliminate wheel friction from the equation.

 

[xstian]

Peugeot 205 have notoriously heavy steering. My misses won't drive mine and the power steering models aren't much better. The strut top bearings do indeed seize, although when this happens the steering doesn't self center when driving.

 

[Moose McAlpine]

Another cheap experiment; drive onto a pair of greased sheets of steel or heavy plastic (one pair for each front wheel) should let you more or less eliminate wheel friction from the equation.

Squashed plastic drinks bottles and Fairy liquid/water works well too.

Used to do that skidding cars onto trailers when the wheels were locked.

 

[Melvyn Best]

Might be worth removing a wheel and disconnecting one track rod end at a time , refit the wheel then lower the car before trying the steering ? It might show which or possibly both sides are causing a problem .I can’t remember if the 205 has a steering column UJ but I have had problems on various vehicles with the UJ seizing

 

[Turbo]

I've owned, driven & raced 205's for 30+ years & I've never saw a track rod end seize. Most likely culprit is the bottom uj on the column seizing up. Free it up by removing the lower half of the column completely & work some penetrating oil into it. Once its free blow out the penetrating oil & replace with thicker oil.

This process might result in some play in the joint once the rust is removed so a new joint is required. Good luck in finding the correct replacement as pug used a random selection of columns & racks on 205's irrespective of year & model! Best hope is to have the old one with you when you visit the motor factors. Also note if the rack has a square or round splined drive on it.

The easier one to check is the strut bearings. Drive the front wheels onto 2 glossy magazines & get someone to turn the steering while you look at the springs. If the bearings are shot you'll see the top of the spring lagging behind the rest as the steering is turned.

 

[jerrytug]

Thanks @Turbo