Steering intermediate shaft removal?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 2
From: colchester CT
Steering intermediate shaft removal?
I have a 96 and it has some slop in the steering wheel. when I move the wheel side to side I can see the intermediate shaft moves about a half inch before the wheels move. It seems like the end of the intermediate shaft that attaches to the steering rack might be loose. It just seems impossible to get at it. I took out the alternator but that didnt give me any better access, maybe if I removed the ac compressor that would help. any ideas here and has anyone had similar problems with their steering? I have all new front end parts so it's aggravating that I cant get the steering dialed in. I would like to take out the whole shaft and make sure both ends are good and tight. any advice would be helpful. Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,700
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
The steering shaft slides over the pinion shaft of the rack unit and is held in place by a horizontal bolt. There is not much slop if any at this union. If you have play between the steering shaft and the tie rods, most likely it is in the rack unit.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,394
Likes: 2,741
here's one that can be zoomed and the construction checked out:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/92-96-CORVETTE-C4-INTERMEDIATE-STEERING-SHAFT-2602830-/121294229198?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1c3db30ece&vxp=mtr
If it requires removal, the column needs to be dropped and it's actually I believe easier to just plan on removing it.
Last edited by WVZR-1; Apr 23, 2014 at 10:16 PM.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 580
Likes: 121
From: Grapevine TX
I hope it's okay to post a link to another site. If not, mods please remove this. I was searching this exact problem with mine last night and came across a thread on another site. Skip down to post #7 and begin from there. It describes the symptoms, then post #9 tells how the shaft was removed and where he got a rag joint that worked for him.
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...lay-wheel.html
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...lay-wheel.html
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 163
Likes: 4
From: Perth WA
If your flexible rag joint checks out then and assuming you have already had a good look at the outer tie rod joints I'd suggest having a close look at the tie rod inner joints (behind the rubber boots). Its a two person job and can be hard to detect.
If they are OK then you may need to check the pinion preload. That's set by that big nut. Here's an c4 rack overhaul article that may help:
http://www.vetteweb.com/tech/vemp_11...d/viewall.html
If they are OK then you may need to check the pinion preload. That's set by that big nut. Here's an c4 rack overhaul article that may help:
http://www.vetteweb.com/tech/vemp_11...d/viewall.html
