Accelerator pedal movement (side to side) when steering

[JDAMG]

Discovered an odd issue with my car today, the steering gear box was recently replaced and I am not sure if the issue was present prior to the replacement (was driving barefoot today). When traveling at slow speed and turning I can feel the accelerator move sideways. It feels like something is moving it when the steering wheel gets to a certain position. Otherwise I can not seem to move the pedal, so I do not think it is just loose, I have not had a chance to put the car in the air yet, but any ideas or experience with a similar issue would be helpful.

 

[nocfn]

this is interesting, I have nothing to offer but I will be watching it. I cannot think of any reason the accelerator cable could get bound or restricted during the process. So be detailed in what you find. In the last 6 months I had that whole area apart to reseal the usual and potential leaks at the shaft and do not recall getting remotely involved or close with pedal or cable. Have a look at the cable attachment points to see if a bushing broke off or the cable guide cracked away in the engine bay firewall area.

 

[gerryvz]

The throttle cable on these cars is very short and I really don't see how movement of the cable would directly impact the accelerator pedal.

My guess is that it is something underneath the dash. I recommend you have someone in the driver's seat turn the wheel with the engine on, and then you do a visual inspection under the dash to see if anythign is moving. And do same under the hood with the throttle cable where it goes through the inner and outer firewalls, to the linkage at the back of the engine.

 

[JDAMG]

I should have some time to inspect tomorrow. I will report my findings and hopefully it is something simple, like something out of place under the dash as you suspect Gerry.

 

[JDAMG]

Had some time to inspect and found something surprising. The steering column is bent, so much so that it is hitting the bolt on the accelerator pedal arm when in a certain position. Waiting for a new steering column to arrive. I am not sure if this is due to too much force when installing the new steering box or the install just pushed it into the wrong position. Either way, it is being remedied.

 

[gerryvz]

Was the car in any kind of accident that would have bent the steering column? Never heard of such a thing.

 

[JDAMG]

Was the car in any kind of accident that would have bent the steering column? Never heard of such a thing.

Not that I am aware of, I have owned the vehicle since August of 2019, no evidence of accident damage aside from a missing fan shroud when I purchased it. All body panels that I can find a vin stamp on are matching including front bumper.

 

[TerryA]

If the steering column is actually bent and there was no interference beforehand, it would appear to me that whoever installed the new steering box may have forced the parts together for some reason. I have changed a steering box on a 107 lying on my back. Other than spline alignment issues it was pretty straightforward.

Is it possible that the steering column was loosened from its attachment point on the firewall and not put back in the same location and causing what just appears to be a bent column when rotated?

I could see possibly if a lift was used that maybe it could have been lowered while there was a solid support still under the box BUT I’m just guessing.

The installation procedure definitely needs to be gone through again.

Just my $0.02

 

[JDAMG]

If the steering column is actually bent and there was no interference beforehand, it would appear to me that whoever installed the new steering box may have forced the parts together for some reason. I have changed a steering box on a 107 lying on my back. Other than spline alignment issues it was pretty straightforward.

Is it possible that the steering column was loosened from its attachment point on the firewall and not put back in the same location and causing what just appears to be a bent column when rotated?

I could see possibly if a lift was used that maybe it could have been lowered while there was a solid support still under the box BUT I’m just guessing.

The installation procedure definitely needs to be gone through again.

Just my $0.02

I suspect the same Terry. The flange piece on the column that goes into the box appears to be a bit misaligned and not fully seated (I can see the red marking on it) when inspecting from underneath the vehicle. I am guessing that it was difficult to get all the bolts lined up and some force was used to get it into place and it was never properly seated.

 

[JDAMG]

New steering column to be installed today. Hopefully everything goes smoothly and I will be back driving by tomorrow.

 

[JDAMG]

Steering column replacement was successful. Back on the road! Now on to the little things.

 

[Kyiv]

Steering column replacement was successful. Back on the road! Now on to the little things.

No pictures and highlights from doing the job?