Steering wheel play with engine off - normal?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 469
Likes: 0
From: Tallinn (Estonia)
Steering wheel play with engine off - normal?
Hi,
Yesterday when I was in the garage messing with my C3 I disengaged the wheel lock and turned the steering wheel left and right from its center, it had a remarkable amount of free moving space before I hit the resistance point. I haven't really noticed much steering play when driving around, but then again I haven't driven it very much yet. I wonder if it's normal for the steering to have some play when the engine is off and it's a power steering system? Or should there be no gap at all even when the engine is off?
Thanks.
Yesterday when I was in the garage messing with my C3 I disengaged the wheel lock and turned the steering wheel left and right from its center, it had a remarkable amount of free moving space before I hit the resistance point. I haven't really noticed much steering play when driving around, but then again I haven't driven it very much yet. I wonder if it's normal for the steering to have some play when the engine is off and it's a power steering system? Or should there be no gap at all even when the engine is off?
Thanks.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
No, that's not normal. Mine is good and tight, which just means the stock gear box and rag joint are in good shape, along with all new suspension and steering components.
If you have loose steering first check the rag joint. See if the steering shaft moves before the rag joint transfers the movement into the box. More than likely though you'll see the shaft turning in the steering box before you get resistance, which means the gear box is sloppy and needs to be rebuilt.
There is a procedure for tightening it up using the screw on top but unless you are very well informed on that procedure I would not suggest it because right now you may need a rebuild but your gears area actually fine. If you try to adjust the slop out and don't do it right you'll ruin your gears which will cost you an extra $250 on top of the rebuild cost.
If you need some suggestions for a great source to have it rebuilt just PM me and I will get you that information.
If you have loose steering first check the rag joint. See if the steering shaft moves before the rag joint transfers the movement into the box. More than likely though you'll see the shaft turning in the steering box before you get resistance, which means the gear box is sloppy and needs to be rebuilt.
There is a procedure for tightening it up using the screw on top but unless you are very well informed on that procedure I would not suggest it because right now you may need a rebuild but your gears area actually fine. If you try to adjust the slop out and don't do it right you'll ruin your gears which will cost you an extra $250 on top of the rebuild cost.
If you need some suggestions for a great source to have it rebuilt just PM me and I will get you that information.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
Well, It is actually normal to a point. With the engine not runing, there is no pressure on the steering valve. This will allow some play. However, there are other common items that also cause play, like the rag joint and the steering box adjustment that can cause excessive play. Just check those out. If they are OK and all the movement is in the valve, its normal.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,000
Likes: 1
From: Minneapolis, Mn USA
This is exactly what lead me to a full front suspension rebuild and an upgrade to Steeroids/Hydroboost/Electric fan+CS144 alternator/VBP Spreader bar/ this last spring.
Sitting in a parking lot and being amazed at how much play I had in the wheel, even tough it felt pretty good going down the road.
Feels MUCH better now ($2K later)!!
Sitting in a parking lot and being amazed at how much play I had in the wheel, even tough it felt pretty good going down the road.
Feels MUCH better now ($2K later)!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 945
Likes: 1
Once you verify that the front suspension is tight, from under the hood rotate the steering shaft above the rag joint. If the shaft moves before the rag joint does, you should replace the rag joint. Cheap and easy to do but you will have to disconnect the steering column to move it enough to remove the joint.
It's not that hard to adjust the gear lash and bearing end clearance in the steering gear. Just be sure to do it correctly. Here is the procedure.
It's not that hard to adjust the gear lash and bearing end clearance in the steering gear. Just be sure to do it correctly. Here is the procedure.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 469
Likes: 0
From: Tallinn (Estonia)
I appreciate all the help. While the steering wheel has perhaps 3 inches of so-to-say free room when the engine is off, I today turned on the engine and tried the steering in the garage. Then the steering felt very precise and when I even moved the steering wheel with my little finger half an inch both ways, the wheels immediately responded. So, with the engine running the steering seems to be as precise as it could possibly get - I can't imagine how more precise it could be, perhaps just a bit stiffer on the wheel? While it's precise, it does feel a bit soft if compared to a go-kart wheel let's say 
Being honest, I haven't driven any other real sportscar before and therefore I don't have much to compare it with.
The free play showed up again as soon as I turned off the engine. So in the end, does this seem like the normal behaviour of the power steering system and can I consider this system good or should I insert it to my to-do list?
Being honest, I haven't driven any other real sportscar before and therefore I don't have much to compare it with.The free play showed up again as soon as I turned off the engine. So in the end, does this seem like the normal behaviour of the power steering system and can I consider this system good or should I insert it to my to-do list?
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Team Owner
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From: In limbo
St. Jude Donor '13-'15, '17 thru '22
Well, his may not be, but mine is a little. When driving straight down the road, I can move the steering wheel back and forth maybe an inch or 1 1/2 inches without changing the direction of the car. Although I don't consider this to be terrible, I would prefer that my steering to be a little tighter. I had no idea I could adjust the steering box like that. The paper by Lars is excellent as I think I understand most of it just sitting at my computer. I am sure when I read it again while looking at the parts it will be crystal clear. Sounds like I need to be able to drive the car to test it, so this just got added to my "spring projects" list. Once again, this place has provided some awesome information.
Thanks guys!
PK
Thanks guys!
PK
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
