406oc.co.uk

Hello to all,
Thanks for the usefull information about our 406.

I am having a problem with the steering,I noticed from the last two weeks that the steering wheel is not staying in the centre position.To keep the car running straight I have to keep the steering a little bit to the right.

Now when I press the brakes the car pulls to the right,so today i lift up the car to see if there's any play with the wheels but it looks fine both.

Do some one expierence a problem like this.

Thanks from Malta

Hi, First check the tyre pressures, then jack it up & see if the brakes are binding ( possible siezed slider on the caliper mounting).

Could well need a trip down to Kwik-fit for a laser alignment session. Ask them for a before and after printout before they start so they know they've got to do the job right

mjb wrote:Could well need a trip down to Kwik-fit for a laser alignment session. Ask them for a before and after printout before they start so they know they've got to do the job right

Whereabouts in Malta is Kwik-Fit

djp30djp wrote:

mjb wrote:Could well need a trip down to Kwik-fit for a laser alignment session. Ask them for a before and after printout before they start so they know they've got to do the job right

Whereabouts in Malta is Kwik-Fit

Just jump on the ferry to Pozzallo, quick run through Italy, Switzerland and France, then it's just off the main road when you get to Dover

Driving directions to Dover, Kent CT16 2NH, UK
2,601 km – about 1 day 3 hours

My steering was straight as an arrow... till I took a speed bump too fast... now it pulls slightly to the left

Do a laser alignment can solv my problem?
I think the problem start when it was raining and there was a blind hole and I didn't notice that.
Our roads are full of holes, Malta is popular for that,we have the worst roads in EU,and when they do a road with tarmac it's full of speed bumps and cameras.

Seems like a good starting point, your tracking could be all over the place after hitting a deep pot hole. They should also be able to tell you if anything else is bent.

I had exactly the same fault, it was the top bearing on the front suspension strut siezed. i had been driving the car for a couple of years with it pulling to the left. I read on 406.co.uk that the top bearing sieze up / break up. I had it replaced at a cost of about £100 in all, and the car now steers 100% dont pull either side and the steering is much lighter too. easy when you you know how or what !!

redfar wrote:Do a laser alignment can solv my problem?
I think the problem start when it was raining and there was a blind hole and I didn't notice that.
Our roads are full of holes, Malta is popular for that,we have the worst roads in EU,and when they do a road with tarmac it's full of speed bumps and cameras.

I think there is a very good chance that, as Steve says, you have something bent on your steering from when you hit the hole in the road.

A good check up for your steering is required, including possible alignment.

One simple check you could do, is to set the steering wheel straight on a level surface, then look at the wheels from the front to see if one wheel (the one that hit the hole, mainly) is aiming to one side.You could also check, by measuring, the distance between the tyre and the wing where it fits near the door at either side, this could tell you if something may be bent.

Hi,
I checked the wheels and the steering wheel straight and the wheels look fine.I checked under the car for something bent but every thing looks fine and now I am suspecting that the top bearings gone because I checked with a torch the suspension and when a friend turn the steering wheel the suspension didn't turn freely,from the top.

Is this an easy job that I can do on my own or it's better if I go to a mechanic.Do I have to take the arm completly out of the car?

redfar wrote:Is this an easy job that I can do on my own or it's better if I go to a mechanic.Do I have to take the arm completly out of the car?

It's a bit of a mission to do but if you're a DIY mechanic have a go! I did mine late last year, It took about 2 hours per side (seized nuts and bolts permitting! )
You don't have to remove the leg.

What is the torx size of the top?

redfar wrote:What is the torx size of the top?

Good question. I'll go and have a look.

The outer 3 bolts are t50's and you'll need a 7mm Allen to hold the centre spindle to remove the nylock nut. Don't ask me what size the nut is, I used an adjustable spanner