Steering problem

[gooch]

Gq patrol steering doesnt return to center on its own. Is this normal or not?

[gooch]

Do I need a return to centre steering dampner?

[my third 256]

yes you do if you want it to teturn to centre

[mudski]

Do I need a return to centre steering dampner?

I wouldn't think so. Yes the rtc's do help but it's not standard on the car from new so I would be looking elsewhere. Has the car been lifted? If so was the steering adjusted to correct the offset steering wheel? Not sure if these would cause it but it may help others who are reading.

[Irish]

Steering on most cars should automatically tend towards returning to centre when moving forwards. Go to a carpark, put it on full lock, take your hands off the wheel and take off(slowly). If your steering doesn't try to straighten up you might have an issue.

[gooch]

No lift as of yet. Ill try the carpark trick n go from there

[mudski]

Your power steering pump maybe on its way out? Not sure how to test the pump though.

[gooch]

Might see if I can get away with the rtc

[Ben-e-boy]

Have you been to a wheel alligner? Sounds like a castor issue to me.
If the castor is ok, jack up the front and check the amount of force required to turn the steering, ( I think it is about 1kg specs are in the manual) any more than that, then an inspection of your steering system is a must. Personaly I would start at the swivel hub bearing.

An RTC damper is designed to mask the issue you have, NOT fix the problem.