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MG MGF Technical - EPAS problems

My MGF has erratic handling, swerving when I am driving straight, tramlining and generally feeling unstable.
The dampers were replaced and the car tracked, but the problem remained. I am now advised it is probably the EPAS.
Rather than spending a fortune on a new steering rack, is there a straightforward way to disconnect the EPAS?
Michael

Pull the big fuse under the bonnet? Itll make the warning light come on I think but will at least let you see if it's causing the problem.Someone more knowledgable may be able to verify this....
Pete C

Is it mainly at speed (50+) on the motorway? If so it's a common MGF handling "characteristic" - too much lift at the front end causes instability and wandering of the front end. The solution is to fit a front splitter (KH Assemblies make a good one, available from Brown & Gammons) or spoiler - around £65 if I recall for the KH and a simple DIY job to fit.

EPAS problems in my experience usually show themselves up as a tendency to pull one way (i.e. the infamous "steer left" problem) rather than general instability. Tramlining can be down to wheel alignment/ tyre size/ lack of a front splitter!! BY all means pull the fuse and see if it helps, to help diagnose.

Join up (for free) and search the archives - a search on "instability" should get a fair few hits... ;-)

Good technical stuff and a description of the MGF's aerodynamics and the benefits of splitters as Rob's site: http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/

Will

Will Harvey

A badly worn wheel bearing gives those symptoms too, were they checked when the dampers were replaced? They wear very quickly once they start, and often don't make any noise until the wheel is literally about to fall off...
Mike Hankin

I agree with Mike about the wheel bearing. Driving my F was like being in a rowing boat ! New wheel bearing and all is ok. Also agree that there is NO NOISE from the wheel as you would expect from a shot bearing !
Paul
Paul Carugati (MGF and MGBGT)

*Tram lining* is always a case of wrong track angles.
Either cause of poor adjustment from principals, or due to any worn parts. This could be realised sometimes while drivin g only, and not w“hen the car rests static.

Mind you to check all suspension knuckles and the wheel bearings.
Worn upper ball joints, for example, only could be checked when the suspension is de-pressurised.

However, this car must be rock stable and save on the road up to 130 miles per hour.

HTH
Dieter
Dieter

Update: To test the epas, I removed the fuse as suggested, and proved that it was not the power steering at fault. I have had the wheel bearings checked and they are OK.

Another symptom I failed to mention before is a grinding noise just after I pull away, and when I hit a particularly large pot hole.

Michael
Michael

Wheel bearing, start at NSR! Or possibly a ball joint. Jack wheels off ground in turn and feel for any play.
C.R.B. Simeon

Re the grinding noise. This might be a "red herring". It could be nothing more than the tyre catching on the plastic mud shield (liner). Does this happen on full lock ?. Its a common problem and fixed by heating up the liner with a blower and bending is slightly. (usually bottom inside rearmost part, if that makes sense).
Kieth

This thread was discussed between 19/04/2007 and 09/05/2007

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