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  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 1994 - 1995 Specific Tech

steering wheel play in column

  • Thread starter Thread starter dannydoo
  • Start date Start date Sep 18, 2004
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dannydoo

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Sep 10, 2004
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Sep 18, 2004
#1
  • Sep 18, 2004
  • #1
it has a little play and kinda clicks..its in the column im pos..i changed my in/out tie rods thinkin one of em has to be it..and i looked at the joints ithe column connects to and there new looking..what could possibly be giving play inside the column????
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
33
129
Sep 18, 2004
#2
  • Sep 18, 2004
  • #2
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.
 

donjohn

New Member
Feb 7, 2004
1,757
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Irvine - Southern California
Sep 18, 2004
#3
  • Sep 18, 2004
  • #3
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...
 
H

Hotrodsun

Member
Jun 1, 2004
58
0
7
Salem, OR
Sep 18, 2004
#4
  • Sep 18, 2004
  • #4
I have the same problem with my column I believe it is clicking at the joint right above the slip joint (morgason joint I think it is called) I am going to fix it sometime next week. The guy that donjohn was talking about welded the slip joint.
 

maypo59

New Member
Oct 20, 2003
194
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0
Central Kentucky
Sep 18, 2004
#5
  • Sep 18, 2004
  • #5
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.
 
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VoODoo5Oh

Founding Member
Oct 14, 2000
335
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0
miami fl
Sep 18, 2004
#6
  • Sep 18, 2004
  • #6
i have the same deal...i already put a flaming river steering shaft and still with the same problem...anyone else?
 

Chythar

Recently finished repairing my rear
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 26, 2004
2,373
140
113
Foothill Ranch, CA
Sep 19, 2004
#7
  • Sep 19, 2004
  • #7
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.
 

chefster

New Member
May 24, 2004
426
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michigan
Sep 19, 2004
#8
  • Sep 19, 2004
  • #8
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
 

chefster

New Member
May 24, 2004
426
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michigan
Sep 19, 2004
#9
  • Sep 19, 2004
  • #9
as for the chest hitting the wheel,if you are wearing belts it shouldn't be a problem.
 
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dannydoo

Member
Sep 10, 2004
195
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17
Sep 19, 2004
#10
  • Sep 19, 2004
  • #10
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..
 

94-302-vert

Active Member
Aug 16, 2004
1,947
2
36
NE CT
Sep 20, 2004
#11
  • Sep 20, 2004
  • #11
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
 
V

VoODoo5Oh

Founding Member
Oct 14, 2000
335
0
0
miami fl
Sep 20, 2004
#12
  • Sep 20, 2004
  • #12
does this problem happen to you guys while the car is in motion too? i can move the wheel both ways while in motion without the car going left or right and the car has crazy amounts of wander
 
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dannydoo

Member
Sep 10, 2004
195
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17
Sep 20, 2004
#13
  • Sep 20, 2004
  • #13
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???
 
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VoODoo5Oh

Founding Member
Oct 14, 2000
335
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0
miami fl
Sep 20, 2004
#14
  • Sep 20, 2004
  • #14
maybe the rack?
 
A

aaamoranto

New Member
May 5, 2003
69
0
0
Snohomish ,WA
Sep 20, 2004
#15
  • Sep 20, 2004
  • #15
Same problem here and I believe It's the rack and pinion. I have the creeking sound when i turn the steering either left or right.
 
D

dannydoo

Member
Sep 10, 2004
195
0
17
Sep 20, 2004
#16
  • Sep 20, 2004
  • #16
exactly how many joints are ther in the column?
theres the u joint by the gas pedal,,the rag joint under the car that has like a piece of rubber in the middle and two bolts...
has anyone ever heard of a bad rack having a little play in it?
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
33
129
Sep 20, 2004
#17
  • Sep 20, 2004
  • #17
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.
 

chefster

New Member
May 24, 2004
426
1
0
michigan
Sep 22, 2004
#18
  • Sep 22, 2004
  • #18
plugs and wires..which ones?

plugs ,wires and rotor for my Cobra?
 
H

Hotrodsun

Member
Jun 1, 2004
58
0
7
Salem, OR
Sep 24, 2004
#19
  • Sep 24, 2004
  • #19
I replaced my steering shaft with a maximum motorsports solid steering shaft today. The clicking is completely gone. I was very simply to install it only took about 20 minutes.
 
D

dannydoo

Member
Sep 10, 2004
195
0
17
Sep 24, 2004
#20
  • Sep 24, 2004
  • #20
when you pulled your old column out did you pin point the weakness?or where the problem was that made your column click?

how much was that new column
 
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