Anyone else have sloppy steering??
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 6,569
Likes: 2,401
From: Redacted
Anyone else have sloppy steering??
I noticed on the drive from Texas to Pensacola that a dead spot has developed in the steering in my 2003 Z06. If the steering wheels is centered, about 10 degrees to either side of center is dead, meaning theres no resistance and the wheels dont move. After about 10 degrees, the resistance starts to increase and the wheels move. Any thoughts? Can you get air in the power steering system? Is that something that you can bleed to get the air out? Thanks for the help, its driving me nuts having a world class sports car with steering that feels like my truck 
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,722
Likes: 138
From: Florida
St. Jude Donor '09
There is a universal joint type coupling located just before the steering rack input shaft. It is located alongside the foreward end of the drivers side exhaust manifold and below the alternator. It's covered by a black dust boot, pull the dust boot back and have someone move the steering wheel while you check for excessive play. At the same time you should also check for any movement in the steering rack (there should be none) and for any play in the attachement point in between the sheering column and the steering intermediate shaft (located below the brake booster).
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 0
From: Goose Creek SC
I know I need to look at the rule book, but does anybody know off hand if changing the steering rack bushing is legal in ASP Autocross? I may be pulling the rack to change the balancer on my engine, so this is something I could do if it is legal.
Former Vendor
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 9,615
Likes: 13
From: Burlington NC
Randy
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 25,889
Likes: 7
From: Virginia Beach
CI 3-5-6-7-8 Veteran
Get your allignment checked... I had a sloppy feeling car a few years ago and I checked everything: hubs, tie rod ends, etc. etc.
Turns out my camber and decreased from bushing deflection with track use over time. Restoring my caster to +7ish made the car come alive again. If you have too little caster in them they feel dead.
Now if you're truning the wheel and nothing is happening then you've got slop somewhere... verify this by jacking up a wheel and moving the wheel left/right... there should be no play... when my car felt sloppy the wheels still moved with ever twitch of the steering wheel.
To bleed the PS system simply start the car and take the cap off... move the wheel left and right lock to lock 20 times and adjust fluid level as needed.
You can also check for tie-rod end or wheel hub play. Lastly you can check the torque of the front steerign shaft bolt.
Turns out my camber and decreased from bushing deflection with track use over time. Restoring my caster to +7ish made the car come alive again. If you have too little caster in them they feel dead.
Now if you're truning the wheel and nothing is happening then you've got slop somewhere... verify this by jacking up a wheel and moving the wheel left/right... there should be no play... when my car felt sloppy the wheels still moved with ever twitch of the steering wheel.
To bleed the PS system simply start the car and take the cap off... move the wheel left and right lock to lock 20 times and adjust fluid level as needed.
You can also check for tie-rod end or wheel hub play. Lastly you can check the torque of the front steerign shaft bolt.
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Racer
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 253
Likes: 3
From: The Woodlands Texas
There is an adjustment on the rack.
Rack and Pinion Gear Rack Bearing Preload Adjustment - Off Vehicle
1. Loosen the adjuster plug lock nut (1).
2. Turn the adjuster plug clockwise until the adjuster plug bottoms in the gear assembly.
3. Turn the adjuster plug back 50 degrees to 70 degrees (approximately one flat).
4. Install the adjuster plug lock nut (1) to the adjuster plug. Tighten
5. Hold the adjuster plug stationary while tightening the adjuster plug lock nut (1) 68 N·m (50 lb ft).
Rack and Pinion Gear Rack Bearing Preload Adjustment - Off Vehicle
1. Loosen the adjuster plug lock nut (1).
2. Turn the adjuster plug clockwise until the adjuster plug bottoms in the gear assembly.
3. Turn the adjuster plug back 50 degrees to 70 degrees (approximately one flat).
4. Install the adjuster plug lock nut (1) to the adjuster plug. Tighten
5. Hold the adjuster plug stationary while tightening the adjuster plug lock nut (1) 68 N·m (50 lb ft).
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 25,889
Likes: 7
From: Virginia Beach
CI 3-5-6-7-8 Veteran
^ Yes... but the rack must be out of the car to do it. I've never seen one move/come loose and I checked mine when I had it out a few years back for the cam swap.
It's most likely allignment.
It's most likely allignment.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 71
From: MA
Racks do wear with time. As others have mentioned I would check the alignment first. I would then put the car up on ramps and have one sit in the car and turn the steering wheel rapidly left and right while you look at the steering mechanism, rack supports and rack free play for any looseness. If you see any fix accordingly.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,722
Likes: 138
From: Florida
St. Jude Donor '09
As others have mentioned I would check the alignment first.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,722
Likes: 138
From: Florida
St. Jude Donor '09
It's probably not actually slop... insufficient camber will make the car feel very sluggish and it can be interpreted as slop.
The OP specifically called out a 10 degree span either way from centerline where he gets no steering action at the wheels. I don't think that insufficient camber would cause this condition.
He was the one driving the car and he was the one who determined he had no steering action within that span. I agree with the individuals who recommended checking the steering mechanism and steering rack bushings.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,217
Likes: 5
From: Stark County Ohio
If it is mechanical slop, I would start with the clamp joint where the intermediate steering shaft connects to the rack pinion. Of course check the universal joints, etc. along the shaft.
Have you had that clamping joint at the steering pinion off or loosened in the past?
Have you had that clamping joint at the steering pinion off or loosened in the past?
