How can I tighten up steering slop?

jaymac

New Member

Feb 18, 2004

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Northern Mass

Mar 5, 2006

#1

• Mar 5, 2006

• #1

If I'm driving in a straight line down the road, I can turn my wheel one inch in either direction, fast or slow, and the car won't move at all.
Anthing wrong here? It feels really precarious, especially at high speeds, like I don't have control, especially at the track.
Is there any one or two specific parts that can eliminate that slop, or something else I can do beyond a full manual rack?
Thanks,
Jeremy

 

B

BaXTeR3221

Member

Jan 12, 2004

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Orange County, NY

Mar 5, 2006

#2

• Mar 5, 2006

• #2

I replaced my steering shaft with the solid one from maximum motorsports. Made a nice difference.

 

C

criticman

Member

Sep 7, 2003

723

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Rome, GA

Mar 5, 2006

#3

• Mar 5, 2006

• #3

Are you lowered? If so, you need to correct the steering geometry. This can be done with new bushings or a bump steer kits (tie rod ends).

Check out what Steeda, UPR, and Maximum Motorsports have to offer.

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

31,179

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Mar 5, 2006

#4

• Mar 5, 2006

• #4

Jeremy, check your rag joint.

Good luck bud.

 

K

Kerpal

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Aug 9, 2004

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Mar 5, 2006

#5

• Mar 5, 2006

• #5

Anyone have a writeup on replacing the rag joint? I'm sure it's not that hard other than just getting acess to everything. They're cheap, so it seems like something worth trying....

Poly rack bushings and going to a shorter tire tightened up a lot of my immediate steering response, but I still have the inch or so of play you mention...

 

Henceforward

The Avatar Master

Founding Member

Jul 17, 2001

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Mar 5, 2006

#6

• Mar 5, 2006

• #6

Worn out tie rods can cause slop.

When I had new tie rods installed I noticed improved steering response.

 

jaymac

New Member

Feb 18, 2004

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Northern Mass

Mar 5, 2006

#7

• Mar 5, 2006

• #7

well, I'm def. lowered (2").
Now criticman, when you say bushings, do you mean for the tie-rod ends or smething else?
I'll have to research the rag joint thing...

 

C

criticman

Member

Sep 7, 2003

723

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Rome, GA

Mar 5, 2006

#8

• Mar 5, 2006

• #8

Offset Rack & Pinion Bushings:
http://store.summitracing.com/default.asp?target=eadvsearch.asp&SearchType=Make
or
http://www.steeda.com/products/steeda_urethane_steering_rack_bushings.php

I have the first ones...but been slow to put them on, lol. I am hoping to o so shortly.

 

jrichker

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Mar 10, 2000

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Dublin GA

Mar 5, 2006

#9

• Mar 5, 2006

• #9

Steering slack needs the efforts of two people to check it out throughly. Place the car on jackstands located under the front A arms as close to the ball joint as possible. This loads the suspension in a similar manner as driving on the road. Lock the steering by turning the ignition key off. Have your helper try to move the tire & wheel assembly right to left while you watch the outer tie rod ends for slack. Watch the steering rack rods to see if the move when trying to turn the wheel. Next relocate yourself to where you can see the rag joint and have your helper move the tire & wheel assembly right to left while you watch.

The most common problem is that the inner tie rod joints wear out. Since they are $45 or more each, it is usually more cost efficent to replace the rack assembly.

 

2000xp8

SN Certified Technician

Aug 8, 2003

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NJ

Mar 5, 2006

#10

• Mar 5, 2006

• #10

I don't think there is a rag joint fix, i believe the only repair to that is a solid shaft.

A worn out steering system may need a complete rebuild. As Jricker said, no point in buying inner tie rods, they are too expensive seperate.
No point in containminating a new rack with crap from an old pump and hoses, and you've gone that far, might as well replace the outer tie rod ends.

This will insure you don't have to mess with the steering for a long time.
I know it may become expensive, so deal with it for now and save up if you determine you need a new rack.

 

M

matm347

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Aug 29, 2000

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Mar 6, 2006

#11

• Mar 6, 2006

• #11

I have replaced everything except the rack and I still have the ~1" play. The adjustable outer tie rods are to eliminate bump steer on lowered cars and will not help if yours aren't faulty. I have replaced both of my inner tie rods for $20 each which helped quite a bit(they were bad though). The solid shaft is a good upgrade and also helped reduce the dead zone.