Steering Wheel Play
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Joined: Apr 2014
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From: Rolla Missouri
Steering Wheel Play
I had quite a lot of play in my steering wheel. The kind where you can turn the steering wheel a ways before it catches to actually turn the wheels. While investigating, I found out that I had a bad wheel hub bearing on the passenger side as well as a couple bad tie rod ends. I replaced the wheel hub bearing and all 4 tie rod ends but I still have just a little play in the steering wheel. I checked the rag joint and it seems tight. No movement on either end while the opposite end is held tight. I also had it aligned after the tie rod change and they said everything looked fine. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what it might be that's causing the steering wheel slop? It's not much and is a lot better since all the new parts, but it's still there a little bit and I want it gone.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2014
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From: New Port Richey FL
first off what year or did I miss that, but it sounds like you have hit most popular wear parts but here is one that I have seen though rare check your steering rack bushings. there is a rubber bushing were it is bolted on drivers side and a strap that holds down the rack with a donut bushing on the passengers side. If your car has been leaking Steering fluid on these they can go soft. So have some one sit in the car shake the wheel and watch the steering rack see if it is sliding back and forth, and I hope that it is not this because I don't know if the bushing are available over the counter because I was changing the racks for the leak from the ends.
After thought could your play be in the column, like the joint in the tilt wheel
After thought could your play be in the column, like the joint in the tilt wheel
Last edited by s carter; Aug 22, 2014 at 06:27 PM.
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Joined: Apr 2014
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From: Rolla Missouri
Ok, I was outside this evening (rare evening off) and started to play with my shaft. Steering shaft that is. 
I noticed that as I moved the steering wheel, the shaft would not turn until after the steering wheel had moved an inch or so. So I went into the engine bay and started to move the shaft. Everything below the little u-joint looking thing was tight but above it would move when the bottom was held secure. Do I need a new intermediate shaft or is there a way to replace that little u-joint thing or is there something further up the shaft that might be loose?
I noticed that as I moved the steering wheel, the shaft would not turn until after the steering wheel had moved an inch or so. So I went into the engine bay and started to move the shaft. Everything below the little u-joint looking thing was tight but above it would move when the bottom was held secure. Do I need a new intermediate shaft or is there a way to replace that little u-joint thing or is there something further up the shaft that might be loose?
Last edited by sjarrett71; Sep 4, 2014 at 08:39 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,888
Likes: 590
From: New Port Richey FL
Ok, I was outside this evening (rare evening off) and started to play with my shaft. Steering shaft that is.
I noticed that as I moved the steering wheel, the shaft would not turn until after the steering wheel had moved an inch or so. So I went into the engine bay and started to move the shaft. Everything below the little u-joint looking thing was tight but above it would move when the bottom was held secure. Do I need a new intermediate shaft or is there a way to replace that little u-joint thing or is there something further up the shaft that might be loose?
I noticed that as I moved the steering wheel, the shaft would not turn until after the steering wheel had moved an inch or so. So I went into the engine bay and started to move the shaft. Everything below the little u-joint looking thing was tight but above it would move when the bottom was held secure. Do I need a new intermediate shaft or is there a way to replace that little u-joint thing or is there something further up the shaft that might be loose?
I just hit up eBay just to see if what you are describing did truly excised, I was pretty sure it did, I found many forms of them in after market. so I would say that the best place to start would at the dealer. or possibly a better parts store to make sure you get a no hassle fit.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 204
Likes: 9
From: Ocean Springs MS
I believe that is the same thing that happened to mine. I took the shaft off, and found the rubber isolator in the bottom of the shaft had failed, allowing it to slip. I welded over the isolator so it would not move. Worked fine, could not feel any increase in vibration.
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From: Rolla Missouri
The play in mine is actually further up the column near the firewall. I can hold the whole shaft tight in the engine compartment but the steering wheel can still be turned.
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From: Rolla Missouri
Oil Producer
Joined: Apr 2014
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Sounds like we have the same issue. I have an 87.
I think mine is in the steering wheel tilt joint, but that is only based on research on the forums. After the kids go to bed tonight I am pulling my wheel to check it out.
VikingTrad3r
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From: Rolla Missouri
No not yet. From what I've researched, if the tilt joint is bad, there will be up and down movement. I don't have any movement in my column except the wheel turning without engaging. I did buy a newer column from a forum member and I'm going to swap them out. Just waiting for it to come in.