Steering not returning to center

[BoomShaka]

I was recently at the track and had a minor crash with the tubing, ever since then my steering wont return to center when under weight. I bought a new servo and inspected the steering system. I put the new servo in and it would drive straight but then I make a turn and then go to straighten it out, it starts returning to center but then it stops. It then drives as if I cranked the steering trim all the way to the right or left (resulting in veering to the right or left). Once and a awhile is does return to center. I did use blue loctite on one bolt for the aluminum steering knuckle. I used too much and it overflowed and took the smoothness out of the steering. I cleaned it up the best I could and it now moves freely, but the steering still does not return to center especially when under weight. On the stand it does fine most of the time. Here is the equipment I have:

• STRC steering knuckles
• Stock steering rack
• Hotbodies 23T aluminum servo horn
• EXI 227F Servo
• Servo saver is one turn backed off from being wrenched down

I'm think maybe the HB servo horn is too tall and the geometry of the arm from the horn to the steering rack is goofing it up. Or maybe the blue loctite is still having an adverse affect on the steering knuckle the servo can't compensate for the addition load. Not sure.

I know the EXI servo is the cheap one but I do not think its the issue because it worked fine prior to the crash and I bought a brand spankin new one and the issue still exists.

I've been doing a lot of troubleshooting on each steering components and I'm getting frustrated. It so simple to look at but difficult to diagnose at this point.

Please help a fellow Blitz brutha. Thank you.

[lightningdt]

Is it a RTR or ESE? Maybe the hit was just enough to tweak the axis of the steering posts? and that's why it won't center.

-DT-

[BoomShaka]

It is/was an rtr. I been upgrading to to ese parts. I really think I may still have some loctite messin things up. I got most of it off but maybe there is still some on the there. How do I get blue Loctite off of aluminum?

[WPSC10knewb]

The only things that gets Blue loctite of my screws is a brush over with my Copper brissle brush. Its got to be picked off

[BoomShaka]

Yeah I think I'm goin to put fresh screws in and see if there is anymore loctite to scrape off the top of the steering block. This whole issue sucks! I need me some track time! Thanks for the help guys.

[jonp1111]

fire is excellent way to removing locktite :) scraping/wire brush doesn't work to well on red locktite at least.

Not sure locktite is the problem though... The only thing I can think of is the steering rack & bulkhead are interfering for some reason. Normally it swings pretty close when pointed center.. Or maybe a mangled/bent rod end that only moves at some angles?

I would take the servo out and move the linkage by hand, pull the front arms up one at a time while you turn the steering manually and you should be able to find the problem.