Ford Repair: Bad steering, sharp bend, steering rack

Question
HI

I have a Diesel G reg (I think thats 1991?) 1.8 Fiesta.

I have 2 new front tyres put on, on Tuesday. Since then my steering has been very very odd!

Usually I would expect steering to be lighter with new tyres but my steering wheel sticks in different places and is very hard to turn it back to neutral after turing a sharp bend/roundabout (my muscles are getting a great work out!) Occasionally (and this is the weirdest bit) my steering will be fine and very light and normal. This is driving me mad as I never know what the steering will be like and sometimes even frightening when it sticks.

I took it back to the tyre garage who checked out the new tyres and steering. They advised me that there seems to be nothing wrong with the tyres and is probably the steering rack that needs replacing.

Before I take the advice of a tyre mechanic and spend alot of money please can you advise me on this problem and anything else you think it could be.

Im not at all car minded so please explain in lammans terms!

Laura  

Answer
The new tires would not cause your steering to "stick in different places".  It does sound like your steering rack is binding, and is bad.  I assume that this vehicle has manual steering.  If it has power assisted steering, it could also be a pump problem.  If the steering wheel is off-center or the vehicle handles differently since you had the tires installed, something in your steering system may be bent and rubbing.

I hope this helps,
Dave