Hard Steering wheel of Swift VXi

siddhu_engg24 · 14th November 2008, 20:03

I own a March'07 Swift VXi - done 28k on ODO.
I'm facing an issue with the Steering wheel, it feels doubly hard as compared to what it was some 3-4k kms back.

I have checked the Tyre pressures & no problems there.
Also asked MASS guys to check at the time of Service. They seemed to have rectified it then, but this issue surfaced again just 1k kms after the service.

So can anyone here, help me find out the real culprit & solution also ?

vikram_d · 14th November 2008, 23:48

Looks like a problem with the electronic power steering module. Get that checked thoroughly.

SirAlec · 16th November 2008, 00:43

EPS needs to be serviced.
get it checked at MASS only in this case as you may require scan tools which only MASS people has.

Swifty2008 · 16th November 2008, 00:52

If you are in Pune, I can recommend good service centres. Please PM if you need more details.

humm · 16th November 2008, 23:20

There maybe a problem or failure of the EPS. Get it replaced if under warranty.

siddhu_engg24 · 22nd November 2008, 23:28

Just thought of taking the car to a good Tyre Shop before heading my way to MASS and found that the Wheel Alignment had gone for a toss.

(last alignment was done just 1-2k kms back)

Bharat Tyres, Sharanpur Road, Nashik rectified it.
The steering now feels light, but still I'll take my car to MASS in 2-3 weeks time when 30k kms service is due & ask them to have an EPS check alongwith the service.

Thanks guys for your advice... It means a lot to me.

siddhu_engg24 · 2nd June 2009, 18:49

This time around the Steering feels hard, can actually feel stress if driven say more than 50 odd kms, plus you get a feeling like car's not at all ready to roll. Then I heard some cracking noise

when at the stop, if I turn the steering to right / left with foot on Brake pedal.

Is there anything wrong with the wheel bearing ?
I got scared after reading this on HowStuffWorks:
Bearing play can often allow the steering to wander. This is often mistaken for worn steering components or even the wheel alignment being out.

What should be my steps to get it rectified ?

Some facts which can be vital :
36k on ODO,
Wheel Alingment & balancing was done at 33k kms. (I strictly follow the 5k kms routine)

siddhu_engg24 · 4th June 2009, 13:37

GUys, I'm waiting for your valuable commments !

mithun · 6th June 2009, 18:18

Get your EPS changed under warranty.

In non-EPS cars this problem usually get solved after an overhauling that costs about 1.5K.

SirAlec · 6th June 2009, 21:48

You havn't serviced your steering since november?

Or you resolved it and it cropped up again.

siddhu_engg24 · 8th June 2009, 10:25

The issue was resolved last time by Alignment.

@ the EPS service, do we need to service it after certain fixed period / kms ?

streetracer_919 · 8th June 2009, 11:37

i dont think there is a need of servicing EPS at fixed periods. they should be checked only if you are having any problem with it

HKS · 8th June 2009, 19:28

Its again alignment dude, get the kingpin inclination checked. It should either be that or its the offset. Your alignment is screwed up and maybe your current tyres have a positive offset. Do one thing, if its the offset check it by braking with the steering straight. If the car pulls in some other direction, then your offset and brakes are faulty.

In my belief, 90% its king pin inclination issue and 10% it could be offset.

siddhu_engg24 · 14th June 2009, 11:51

Took my car to MASS 2 days back & showed them the issue with steering being hard.
It took some while for them to figure out the problem, but finally they did manage to diagnose that "PLUNGER" in steering wheel assy (which acts as a damper, as per my service advisor) was the culprit. They replaced it & yeah.. the Steering feel is back to normal.

The only thing bothered me (as per SA)is this part is of plastic & doesn't fall under warranty. So had to pay 591 bucks :-(

Anyone aware of this ?

wildsdi5530 · 25th May 2010, 08:46

Is there any way to check the EPS by oneself?

14th November 2008, 20:03	#1
siddhu_engg24 BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 47 Thanked: 9 Times	Hard Steering wheel of Swift VXi I own a March'07 Swift VXi - done 28k on ODO. I'm facing an issue with the Steering wheel, it feels doubly hard as compared to what it was some 3-4k kms back. I have checked the Tyre pressures & no problems there. Also asked MASS guys to check at the time of Service. They seemed to have rectified it then, but this issue surfaced again just 1k kms after the service. So can anyone here, help me find out the real culprit & solution also ?
	() Thanks

14th November 2008, 23:48	#2
vikram_d Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,427 Thanked: 1,185 Times	Looks like a problem with the electronic power steering module. Get that checked thoroughly.
	() Thanks

16th November 2008, 00:43	#3
SirAlec Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: zxc Posts: 3,393 Thanked: 726 Times	EPS needs to be serviced. get it checked at MASS only in this case as you may require scan tools which only MASS people has.
	() Thanks

16th November 2008, 00:52	#4
Swifty2008 BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Pune Posts: 236 Thanked: Once	If you are in Pune, I can recommend good service centres. Please PM if you need more details.
	() Thanks

16th November 2008, 23:20	#5
humm BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 78 Thanked: 4 Times	There maybe a problem or failure of the EPS. Get it replaced if under warranty.
	() Thanks

22nd November 2008, 23:28	#6
siddhu_engg24 BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 47 Thanked: 9 Times	Just thought of taking the car to a good Tyre Shop before heading my way to MASS and found that the Wheel Alignment had gone for a toss. (last alignment was done just 1-2k kms back) Bharat Tyres, Sharanpur Road, Nashik rectified it. The steering now feels light, but still I'll take my car to MASS in 2-3 weeks time when 30k kms service is due & ask them to have an EPS check alongwith the service. Thanks guys for your advice... It means a lot to me.
	() Thanks

2nd June 2009, 18:49	#7
siddhu_engg24 BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 47 Thanked: 9 Times	Problem again :-( This time around the Steering feels hard, can actually feel stress if driven say more than 50 odd kms, plus you get a feeling like car's not at all ready to roll. Then I heard some cracking noise when at the stop, if I turn the steering to right / left with foot on Brake pedal. Is there anything wrong with the wheel bearing ? I got scared after reading this on HowStuffWorks: Bearing play can often allow the steering to wander. This is often mistaken for worn steering components or even the wheel alignment being out. What should be my steps to get it rectified ? Some facts which can be vital : 36k on ODO, Wheel Alingment & balancing was done at 33k kms. (I strictly follow the 5k kms routine)
	() Thanks

4th June 2009, 13:37	#8
siddhu_engg24 BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 47 Thanked: 9 Times	GUys, I'm waiting for your valuable commments !
	() Thanks

6th June 2009, 18:18	#9
mithun BANNED Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Cochin Posts: 2,195 Thanked: 268 Times	Get your EPS changed under warranty. In non-EPS cars this problem usually get solved after an overhauling that costs about 1.5K.
	() Thanks

6th June 2009, 21:48	#10
SirAlec Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: zxc Posts: 3,393 Thanked: 726 Times	You havn't serviced your steering since november? Or you resolved it and it cropped up again.
	() Thanks

8th June 2009, 10:25	#11
siddhu_engg24 BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 47 Thanked: 9 Times	The issue was resolved last time by Alignment. @ the EPS service, do we need to service it after certain fixed period / kms ?
	() Thanks

8th June 2009, 11:37	#12
streetracer_919 BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: calicut/coimbatore Posts: 134 Thanked: 67 Times	i dont think there is a need of servicing EPS at fixed periods. they should be checked only if you are having any problem with it
	() Thanks

8th June 2009, 19:28	#13
HKS BHPian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 104 Thanked: 6 Times	Its again alignment dude, get the kingpin inclination checked. It should either be that or its the offset. Your alignment is screwed up and maybe your current tyres have a positive offset. Do one thing, if its the offset check it by braking with the steering straight. If the car pulls in some other direction, then your offset and brakes are faulty. In my belief, 90% its king pin inclination issue and 10% it could be offset. Last edited by HKS : 8th June 2009 at 19:28. Reason: Typos
	() Thanks

14th June 2009, 11:51	#14
siddhu_engg24 BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 47 Thanked: 9 Times	Took my car to MASS 2 days back & showed them the issue with steering being hard. It took some while for them to figure out the problem, but finally they did manage to diagnose that "PLUNGER" in steering wheel assy (which acts as a damper, as per my service advisor) was the culprit. They replaced it & yeah.. the Steering feel is back to normal. The only thing bothered me (as per SA)is this part is of plastic & doesn't fall under warranty. So had to pay 591 bucks :-( Anyone aware of this ?
	() Thanks

25th May 2010, 08:46	#15
wildsdi5530 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,434 Thanked: 2,046 Times	Is there any way to check the EPS by oneself?
	() Thanks