Steering wheel play...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 755
Likes: 0
From: Patterson CA
Steering wheel play...
Hey guys, my Vet went to the shop yesterday to have the transmission noise checked out (zzzzzzzt when put in reverse) :( .
Anyway I had to drive my 96 Z28 into work and I noticed that the steering wheel has some play in it. I can turn the steering wheel each direction about 1-1.5 inches before the front wheels actually turn :crazy: It doesn't make any weird noises or anything but it does feel like I'm driving a boat while I'm driving, it kind of sways back and forth on the highway, not extreme but enough to notice a problem.
This wasn't like this before but it's the wife's daily driver so who knows what's actually going on with it. Any ideas as to what causes this?
Anyway, hope you don't mind me asking this question on this forum. Any help is always appreciated. :flag
Anyway I had to drive my 96 Z28 into work and I noticed that the steering wheel has some play in it. I can turn the steering wheel each direction about 1-1.5 inches before the front wheels actually turn :crazy: It doesn't make any weird noises or anything but it does feel like I'm driving a boat while I'm driving, it kind of sways back and forth on the highway, not extreme but enough to notice a problem.
This wasn't like this before but it's the wife's daily driver so who knows what's actually going on with it. Any ideas as to what causes this?
Anyway, hope you don't mind me asking this question on this forum. Any help is always appreciated. :flag
Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 524
Likes: 1
From: Port Charlotte Fl
Re: Steering wheel play... (VetBoy89)
as odd as this is going to sound...
first check the PS level in the resv.
check for proper inflation levels on the tires
then... and this is the odd part... change the PS fluid in the resv.
first check the PS level in the resv.
check for proper inflation levels on the tires
then... and this is the odd part... change the PS fluid in the resv.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,204
Likes: 6
From: St Marys PA
Re: Steering wheel play... (TIMSPEED)
Funny...I was going to post the same thing about my vette. Its like there is a dead spot in the rack. I did however read about changing the fluid a few times as a cure. Any proof of this working with any of you?
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
From: Johnson Kansas
Re: Steering wheel play... (VetBoy89)
I have the same problem. Mine is so slight I don't even notice it on a nice smooth road but a crappy one makes you hop around. In my case I don't think it the PS unit because with my 87 dead I can turn on the key and rock the steering wheel and feel the play. When I do the same to my 89 is it solid as a rock-- no play whatsoever. My 87 has a newly rebuilt rack and pinion. The service manual doesn't address this very well except it shows an "adjuster" plug that says you are supposed to bottom out then back off 50-70 degrees. I wonder if perhaps it doesn't set the back lash between the rack and pinion (or preload whatever you might call it).
Also the obvious-- make sure the ujoints in your steering rod itself don't have play.
I'd like to hear from someone who has cured this problem.
[Modified by Kendall, 8:26 PM 9/13/2002]
Also the obvious-- make sure the ujoints in your steering rod itself don't have play.
I'd like to hear from someone who has cured this problem.
[Modified by Kendall, 8:26 PM 9/13/2002]
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 755
Likes: 0
From: Patterson CA
Re: Steering wheel play... (VetBoy89)
Thanks for all the input guys.
Looks like I got a weekend project, not really looking forward to it though, I don't know jack about this car. :crazy:
Damn, I miss my Vet already! :mad :cuss :( :cry :cry :cry
[Modified by VetBoy89, 12:30 PM 9/13/2002]
Looks like I got a weekend project, not really looking forward to it though, I don't know jack about this car. :crazy:
Damn, I miss my Vet already! :mad :cuss :( :cry :cry :cry
[Modified by VetBoy89, 12:30 PM 9/13/2002]
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,178
Likes: 2
From: Windermere FL
Re: Steering wheel play... (VetBoy89)
Sounds like a loose steering wheel shaft. The shaft is meant to be collapsable and where it collapses sometimes you get a little play. This lets you move the wheel side to side a little without turning the tires. Also the tires will often wander a bit as they wiggle about in the play. I'd check this out.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,204
Likes: 6
From: St Marys PA
Re: Steering wheel play... (92TripleBlack)
The shaft is meant to be collapsable and where it collapses sometimes you get a little play.
[Modified by ski_dwn_it, 3:52 PM 9/13/2002]
[Modified by ski_dwn_it, 3:52 PM 9/13/2002]
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Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 524
Likes: 1
From: Port Charlotte Fl
Re: Steering wheel play... (ski_dwn_it)
play came be from several places, most common is in the column it'self under the dash area ( a sperical connection point that works loose and requires a lot of disassmbly to get to), The Rag joint, and the pinch bolt at the rack assy. The last two are easy to check.
Mine appeared to be the pinch bolt as i could see the shaft rotate to match the wheel, but no action from the rack, another member had the same situation and found the pinch bolt at the rack was loose, Mine was not loose, so i drained the P.S. resv. and refilled it with Fresh PS fluid, and almost all the play is now gone. ( so yes the flush worked, at least for me)
i still have some play, but no where near as much as before. This weekend will do a second flush, as what i got out the first time was REALLY NASTY looking, and new stuff is almost clear (slight bluish tint). Also you may have to ( as i suspect i may as well) have to adjust the preload on the rack. But save that for last when all else fails.
Mine appeared to be the pinch bolt as i could see the shaft rotate to match the wheel, but no action from the rack, another member had the same situation and found the pinch bolt at the rack was loose, Mine was not loose, so i drained the P.S. resv. and refilled it with Fresh PS fluid, and almost all the play is now gone. ( so yes the flush worked, at least for me)
i still have some play, but no where near as much as before. This weekend will do a second flush, as what i got out the first time was REALLY NASTY looking, and new stuff is almost clear (slight bluish tint). Also you may have to ( as i suspect i may as well) have to adjust the preload on the rack. But save that for last when all else fails.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 524
Likes: 1
From: Port Charlotte Fl
Re: Steering wheel play... (VetBoy89)
method #1 a turkey baster ( just dont let the wife find out)
Method #2 go get a 3.00 siphon from wally world
either will work well, and with the siphon, ya can reuse that for when it's time to do the Diff.
also usefull for lawmowers etc
Method #2 go get a 3.00 siphon from wally world
either will work well, and with the siphon, ya can reuse that for when it's time to do the Diff.
also usefull for lawmowers etc
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 755
Likes: 0
From: Patterson CA
Re: Steering wheel play... (LarryK 87)
[QUOTE]method #1 a turkey baster ( just dont let the wife find out)/QUOTE]
I'm already on the hit list with the wife, so that won't work :boxing :lol:
I actually have a mighty vac, so I can use that. So I just siphon it out of the reservoir and refill?
I'm already on the hit list with the wife, so that won't work :boxing :lol:
I actually have a mighty vac, so I can use that. So I just siphon it out of the reservoir and refill?
Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 524
Likes: 1
From: Port Charlotte Fl
Re: Steering wheel play... (VetBoy89)
really nothing more than a plastic tube with a suction bulb in the middle of it
do not try this like siphoning gas :U
then yes just refill, cycle the steering wheel a few times run it for a while ( i waited a week) the repeat as needed until fluid looks cleaned ( will never be totally swapped out short of a full disassembly and total drain)
Of course you could go buy your own turkey baster, but IMO the siphon has so many other uses.
[Modified by LarryK 87, 4:48 PM 9/13/2002]
do not try this like siphoning gas :U
then yes just refill, cycle the steering wheel a few times run it for a while ( i waited a week) the repeat as needed until fluid looks cleaned ( will never be totally swapped out short of a full disassembly and total drain)
Of course you could go buy your own turkey baster, but IMO the siphon has so many other uses.
[Modified by LarryK 87, 4:48 PM 9/13/2002]
