steering wheel play in column
- Thread starter dannydoo
- Start date
so the rag joint looks alright? i think that is what you were talking about.
does the whole column move or is the steering just sloppy?
have someone turn the wheel while you watch the rag joint and steering shaft. if there is no slop in the shaft, but the rack's output shafts (with tie rods) dont start moving, i would suspect inner tie rods (i assume you guys have them, as foxes and many racks do) or the rack and pinion itself.
good luck.
does the whole column move or is the steering just sloppy?
have someone turn the wheel while you watch the rag joint and steering shaft. if there is no slop in the shaft, but the rack's output shafts (with tie rods) dont start moving, i would suspect inner tie rods (i assume you guys have them, as foxes and many racks do) or the rack and pinion itself.
good luck.
donjohn
New Member
somebody on here was talking about arc welding their column to eliminate play.. don't konw what part though- do a search for arc welding steering column or something and you should get the info... too late for me to search zzzzzz...
maypo59
New Member
It would seem to me that welding the slip joint would be bad.. It's there to keep the column from becoming one with your chest in the event of front end collision, and, it would make it a lot harder to change the rack and stuff when you need to. IMHO.
I had play in my steering wheel, and found out it was the u-joint in the steering column, right under the dash. The bolt just hadn't been tightened enough. Cranked it down, and no more play. Hopefully your fix is that simple.
ya this is chefster,,i welded my upper shaft slide connection ...the lower one was already done when i bought the cobra..there was only the smallest amount of play ..but it translated into big feel in the steering.which drives me nuts..now it is tight and the loose steering problem is gone... ten minute fix..instant gratification
didnt know about the u joint under the dash..im gonna look at that first thing in the morning...as far as welding the wheel..can you see where the play is after you pull the wheel apart?im sure its in the column cause i can hear a clicking sound in there...anyone had a clicking sound??
i gotta look at my remove steering wheel post so i know how to pull it apart w/out settin airbag off..
i gotta look at my remove steering wheel post so i know how to pull it apart w/out settin airbag off..
94-302-vert
Active Member
I have the clicking sound in my 94 too. Haven't had a chnace to look into the cause but it is very annoying. There is a spot wehre you can rock the wheel back and forth and hear / feel the noise in each direction.
To me it seems like it would be related to the automatic off for the directional. Does this make sense?
Chris
To me it seems like it would be related to the automatic off for the directional. Does this make sense?
Chris
voodoooooooooooooooooo yes
the wander is sickining....i got new inner and outer tie rods balljoints too..
check this out..i climed under my dashboard and its not in the steering wheel..theres a u joint under the dash...but thats not it either..the problem has to be in the engine compartment somewqhere..im suspecting something that looks new is cracked and not obvious,,,this would give you no controll over the wheels if the rag joint is bum...the clicking sounds 100% in the wheel but its traveling from far away..
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOUR RACK IS BEAT?????THE PLAY MAY BE COMING FROM INSIDE THE RACK...NEW INNER JOINTS ....IS THERE ANYTHING INSIDE THAT COULD DEFECT???
the wander is sickining....i got new inner and outer tie rods balljoints too..
check this out..i climed under my dashboard and its not in the steering wheel..theres a u joint under the dash...but thats not it either..the problem has to be in the engine compartment somewqhere..im suspecting something that looks new is cracked and not obvious,,,this would give you no controll over the wheels if the rag joint is bum...the clicking sounds 100% in the wheel but its traveling from far away..
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOUR RACK IS BEAT?????THE PLAY MAY BE COMING FROM INSIDE THE RACK...NEW INNER JOINTS ....IS THERE ANYTHING INSIDE THAT COULD DEFECT???
the rack can get slop in the gears. i dont see how one would generally see a ton of slop from the rack alone - the inner tie rod is more likely to be at fault.
if one jacks up the front end (use jack stands and saftety precautions).
then push/pull on each wheel at 3 and 9 o' clock - if there is play, do the same at 12 and 6 (test for ball joints and wheel bearings - if both tests have slop, check wheel bearings. they can void the test).
but play only at 3 and 9 suggests further checking of the steering system is needed. sometimes one can see the outer tie rod move. often only one side will go south - one wheel will toe in (or out) while not moving the other wheel. then go from there.
if one jacks up the front end (use jack stands and saftety precautions).
then push/pull on each wheel at 3 and 9 o' clock - if there is play, do the same at 12 and 6 (test for ball joints and wheel bearings - if both tests have slop, check wheel bearings. they can void the test).
but play only at 3 and 9 suggests further checking of the steering system is needed. sometimes one can see the outer tie rod move. often only one side will go south - one wheel will toe in (or out) while not moving the other wheel. then go from there.
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