Heavy Steering, Air Filter and Chrome Sunshine Roof handle

[gordonlucas]

Ive just purchased the car (Ford Capri Laser (1985 model) with one years MOT on it. Although the car does not have PAS I have driven cars without PAS and have never experienced heavy steering a this before its like driving with flat tyres! Needless to say tyre pressues etc are perfect and no leaks from steering racks. Does anyone have any idea what the problem could be?

I am also having problems finding the correct air filter for the car, it's a square panel filter.

I am also looking for a chrome sunshine roof handle as the one on the car has snapped.

Any information will be greatly recieved.

Regards,

Gordon

[Bug]

What size tyres?
Should be 185/70 x13
Anything wider will look nice but be a bugger to steer at slow speeds

[Peter-S]

What size tyres?
Should be 185/70 x13
Anything wider will look nice but be a bugger to steer at slow speeds

One of the guys at my local garage always complains at how heavy the steering is on my 2.0, he's just not used to it. Yours is probably fine but rather a contrast to todays cars.

[dixy1949]

jack the front end up & try the steering, if still stiff check all the moving parts etc, theres a bush where the column comes thro the bulkhead behind the servo, try wd 40 on that, if free then points to tyres (don,t have to be huge to make a difference) any decent motor factor should be able to source an air filter for you.

[rich_jc]

Here is the filter you are after...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CAPRI-ESCORT-RS20 ... 286.c0.m14

Though if you can save your pennies, you'll do a lot better with one of these...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/K-N-BOLT-ON-AIR-F ... 286.c0.m14

I had a sunroof handle around somewhere, if I find it I'll drop you a line.

Rich

[gordonlucas]

Thank you for your replies I was very grateful. The tyres are the correct size and pressures etc. I jacked the car up and the steering is free and I also sprayed the bush. Does the steering racks require oil at all? Prior to the MOT the car had been laid up for 15 years could this have any bearing on the problem?

Kind Regards,
Gordon

[-JC-]

Steering on mine is still pretty heavy, even after a new rack, so could just be that, especially if it's nice and light when it's jacked up. Don't know if any of the other suspension bits affect steering maybe? worn TCA bushes maybe?

[Peter-S]

Whilst not conclusive, the fact that the car has just had an mot suggests everything should be Ok and if it turns freely wheels raised then it probably is. The manual rack doesn't need oiling but there should be a liberal covering of grease in the rubber gaitors on each side.
You could get the tracking checked although that shouldn't make much difference.
Where are you? Perhaps someone who knows Capris could have a quick look and let you know if it seems heavy to them.

[spec]

Ball joints may have seized after so long a lay up ?