Very Loose/Light steering

[NLJ]

Hi all,

Went to an automated car wash a few days ago, since then my steering has become significantly lighter. The car drives fine otherwise.

Also, when you turn the steering wheel to full lock you normally hear a click, for the last year or so i get two or three clicks, is this related?

2013 360 PETROL 1.6

Cheers, Neil

[gloucester]

I'm not particularly technical so that sounds rather perplexing if there's a causal link.

The J11 has a setting for the steering adjusting the weighting - does the J10? Might that have coincidently been changed?

I suppose tyre pressures being higher might also make a noticeable effect - but I can't see how a car wash might have affected that.

So are we reduced to the steering geometry having somehow been knocked out of alignment?

I don't recall a single "click" never mind three.

[NLJ]

Thanks for ypur reply.

Yes mine always made a click when turning the wheel full lock, but now it makes a few more clicks.

Would there be a problem with the steering wheel strut?

Forgot to mention that a couple of times, randomly, i have heard a bleeping warning whilst driving and had no clue as to what it was warning me about as nothing appeared on the dash.

[gloucester]

There may be some stores error code. Looks like a dealer visit.

[calnorth]

Concerns about steering performance would need steering alignment and components checked. Tyres suspension being part of that. Any reliable garage can do that...if you know one.

If your car has the 2 steering settings (Sport/Norm) try them to see if anything changes. I'm not sure what that function does since its an electrical switch...perhaps its a change in hydraulic pressure?

[NLJ]

The car is going into the garage tomorrow. Does the J10 have different steering modes?

[NLJ]

Strange, this morning the steering seemed back to normal and has been all day. I omitted going to the garage for now.

I wonder if water/wax could have gotten in somewhere and now it's gone?