Steering Question
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 162
Likes: 35
From: Arizona
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 353
From: Little Rock Arkansas
Is the play most noticeable when the car is stationary or does it also occur when the car is in motion?
The C5 Corvette utilizes a steering column with magnetic power assist. A Steering Wheel Position Sensor (SWPS) sends a signal to the EBCM, which receives signals on the vehicle's speed to determine how much current should flow through the magnetic system.
If you are noticing play at particular times but not at others, then it could point to an issue with the SWPS and related components. Also, when the SWPS detects an anomaly it will throw a code (not a check engine light, a code that needs to be checked via the DIC). In particular, when the wheel is at dead center it throws a "current" steering code that would be absent if there is noticeable play (wheel would not be "centered"). If you are unfamiliar with checking your stored codes following the video below and report back what you read;
The C5 Corvette utilizes a steering column with magnetic power assist. A Steering Wheel Position Sensor (SWPS) sends a signal to the EBCM, which receives signals on the vehicle's speed to determine how much current should flow through the magnetic system.
If you are noticing play at particular times but not at others, then it could point to an issue with the SWPS and related components. Also, when the SWPS detects an anomaly it will throw a code (not a check engine light, a code that needs to be checked via the DIC). In particular, when the wheel is at dead center it throws a "current" steering code that would be absent if there is noticeable play (wheel would not be "centered"). If you are unfamiliar with checking your stored codes following the video below and report back what you read;
Last edited by Velocity_Vette; Dec 30, 2016 at 09:59 AM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Not normal at ALL!
There should be ZERO PLAY! When you move the steering wheel, the tire should move. 
Put the wheels straight ahead. Engine off, ignition key turned to unlock the steering wheel.
Have an assistant rotate the steering wheel very slightly left and right "through the lost motion range"
When they move the steering wheel, the wheels should move. While they are doing the steering wheel moving, you should be examining the under hood area where the steering column shaft exits the fire wall. Follow the shaft down and you will see a COUPLING between the rack input shaft and the end of the steering column. It has ONE BOLT in the coupling. That bolt clamps down on the coupling and secures the two shafts together. If there is lost motion at that coupling you need to tighten that bolt! If you tighten the bolt and you still have lost motion between the two shafts, the coupling is damaged. If you over tighten the bolt, you can SNAP IT off.
IF, that isn't the issue, look under the car at the rack where it mounts to the frame Make sure that the rack is NOT moving in the mounting bushing on the passengers side or the main bolt on the drivers side.
If that is not the issue, you could have worn tie rod ends either at the steering knuckle or where they attach inside the steering rack boot.
Hope this helps!
Bill
