Turning Circle On The T-sport

[z-tune-z2]

16 meters? That's correct isn't it? I've heard the other models have a turning circle of roughly 11 meters.

Why is it so huge?! It's really annoying to parallel park with (bay park is fine)! I've had it for over a year now and park on the side of the road, but each time I do, I always take so long to make sure I don't hit another car :P

Anyone else find it annoying or do I just have a terrible technique? Ha ha

[CorollaTS05]

I remember this when I. Had mine, massive turning circle for a little car, my corolla feels more manouverable. Maybe it's the bigger, wider wheels... Was really anoyin when doing a cheeky u turn at a mini roundabout!

[corradovr6]

I just noticed this on my t sport. Pulling out of a parking space for a sharp right exit from the car park, I had to reverse back a few times. My previous cdx would have come out with no problem at all. 

A bit annoying if I'm honest, especially for a small car and half the advantage is being able to park in tight spaces..

Has anyone done anything about it in theirs, changing the rack or anything similar?

 

[Rhymes with Paris]

Can't say as I have noticed any problems manoeuvring my t sport, but then I came out of a Honda CRV ,so a fairly large car.

Not driven anything else bar these two over the last 4 years, so nothing recent to compare with.

BTW can anyone confirm that the t sport has hydraulic power steering as opposed to electric ?

I am noticing an occasional squeal on about 3/4 lock ,so I assume this must be a belt slipping on the power steering pump.

I am thinking of treating the car to a major service soon anyway , but like to know what is wrong first.

[corradovr6]

I believe its hydraulic. Squeaks can often just be a pressure build up. What you can try is to jack the car up, wheels off the ground and do a full lock to lock three or four times. This will purge any air and you'll see this as bubbles in the reservoir

Check if the belt rubber is still flexible and not gone hard. If its ok then spray some wd40 on it. If its gone hard then best to replace 

[bathtub tom]

5 hours ago, corradovr6 said:

Check if the belt rubber is still flexible and not gone hard. If its ok then spray some wd40 on it. If its gone hard then best to replace 

WD40 contains oil and I would have thought the last thing you want to do to a part that depends on friction is to oil it! Certainly spray some water on it, that will evaporate.

[Rhymes with Paris]

Thank you corrado , that is useful to know.

Unfortunately my days of jacking up cars are long gone.

But I can do the other things , otherwise I am dependent on mechanics , good ones of which are a bit rare around here ,and a Toyota dealer price would exceed the value of the car I think.

But I don't mind spending a reasonable amount to keep such a brilliant little car going.

 

[Cyker]

Confirm that all the Mk1s had hydraulic power steering, including the T-Sport.

The T-Sport is known to have a wider turn radius than the normal models; Most people believe this is down to the wider rims and tyres, although the Mk1's are known for having slightly dodgy steering geometry anyway (At full lock the wheels aren't aligned correctly so one is being dragged slightly sideways and you can feel the car skip a bit; You can also hear it on smooth surfaces like you get in some carparks - At full lock one of the wheels will be constantly squeeling like they are skidding - This doesn't happen in the Mk2 onwards as the much larger engine bay in the later models allows for a correct 'Ackermanns angle')

 

[corradovr6]

1 hour ago, Rhymes with Paris said:

Thank you corrado , that is useful to know.

Unfortunately my days of jacking up cars are long gone.

But I can do the other things , otherwise I am dependent on mechanics , good ones of which are a bit rare around here ,and a Toyota dealer price would exceed the value of the car I think.

But I don't mind spending a reasonable amount to keep such a brilliant little car going.

 

Whereabouts are you based? I'm sure there would be someone local that wouldn't mind helping out. I'm just outside NW London if that helps?

[Rhymes with Paris]

Thank you Cyker ,it does sound like belt squeal though ,but funnily enough not on every turn ,and only at slow speed .

I am careful not to turn on full lock and avoid dry steering as to not strain the system.

Do you happen to know if it is a serpentine belt that does everything ,or a dedicated belt for the steering pump only?

[Rhymes with Paris]

26 minutes ago, corradovr6 said:

Whereabouts are you based? I'm sure there would be someone local that wouldn't mind helping out. I'm just outside NW London if that helps?

Lincolnshire corrado , but thanks so much , the people on this forum are so helpful , and I cross posted with you as I had an incoming call.