Hi all,
I know that this is a frequent issue on Smarts, mine is a LHD ForTwo 450 from 2005.
Recently the steering has been sticky and I've been following all of the advice that I can find about un seizing the UV joint and then regreasing them again.
The problem got better for a while and then got worse again and I'm pretty sure that I'm not doing the process right in using random combinations of WD40, GT85 and 3 in 1 oil.
Thinking that it was the UV joint behind the steering wheel that was gone, I deceided to nip down to Smart in Annemasse to see if they could definately check it out for me and find out the cost of replacing the bits that were broken. Final result, €465 to replace the steering column, €715 for the column and the UV joints down on the arms.
Obviously, this is ridiculously expensive and I wanted to ask you all the following;
1. Once UV joints have started to go stiff, can they be 'saved' by regular greasing and maintaince? ie. just so the car gets me through the winter up here in the alps and then I can sell it in the spring.
2. If I think its the steering column UV joint that's gone, is it an easy job to replace yourself? If so, where would you find the parts and is there a how to guide online anywhere.
Please help, I really like this car but I can't have it let me down in the winter. I can't always ski to work...
Cheers
Dave
I know that this is a frequent issue on Smarts, mine is a LHD ForTwo 450 from 2005.
Recently the steering has been sticky and I've been following all of the advice that I can find about un seizing the UV joint and then regreasing them again.
The problem got better for a while and then got worse again and I'm pretty sure that I'm not doing the process right in using random combinations of WD40, GT85 and 3 in 1 oil.
Thinking that it was the UV joint behind the steering wheel that was gone, I deceided to nip down to Smart in Annemasse to see if they could definately check it out for me and find out the cost of replacing the bits that were broken. Final result, €465 to replace the steering column, €715 for the column and the UV joints down on the arms.
Obviously, this is ridiculously expensive and I wanted to ask you all the following;
1. Once UV joints have started to go stiff, can they be 'saved' by regular greasing and maintaince? ie. just so the car gets me through the winter up here in the alps and then I can sell it in the spring.
2. If I think its the steering column UV joint that's gone, is it an easy job to replace yourself? If so, where would you find the parts and is there a how to guide online anywhere.
Please help, I really like this car but I can't have it let me down in the winter. I can't always ski to work...
Cheers
Dave
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