similar prob. but i'm attributing it to non-runflats recently put on. not sure though.... 
Loose Steering/Play
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,728
Likes: 142
From: Iowa
Loose Steering/Play
I noticed today that there is now about 1" of play in my steering of my 01 z06. I've done nothing to cause such a thing. It was fine a week ago and I just got it back today from the shop after getting LG Pro Longtubes and B&B Bullets installed.
Could the shop have bumped something underneath during the install, or is it just coincidence?
What could be the problem?
Could the shop have bumped something underneath during the install, or is it just coincidence?
What could be the problem?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,728
Likes: 142
From: Iowa
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,843
Likes: 16
From: Howell Michigan
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
I'd suggest just taking it back to the shop that did the work. They may have taken something loose that was forgotten when they put it back together. Many things could be causing the extra play, some of them you don't want to wait on. Infact I would be worried about driving it the way it currently is. Tie rod end that is about to fall of could make for a very bad day. Not to mention the steering wheel shaft coupler.
Keep us posted on what you find out.
Keep us posted on what you find out.
Last edited by Eric D; Aug 29, 2009 at 09:58 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,728
Likes: 142
From: Iowa
I had planned on taking it back to the shop, it definitely did not do it before.
What could they have had to loosen or remove that could affect my steering when installing the longtubes?
What could they have had to loosen or remove that could affect my steering when installing the longtubes?
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,722
Likes: 138
From: Florida
St. Jude Donor '09
Then I suggest you pay someone to get under it and look. All you will get here is wild *** guessing at best with a question like that, too many variables.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,728
Likes: 142
From: Iowa
Thank you Captain Obvious. 
Doesn't hurt to ask, obviously I didn't know. My question still stands. What things might need to be moved in order to install Longtube headers? For those that have installed longtube headers, maybe they might have a rough idea. Just curious is all. If you can't help, why bother posting and being a smartass?
All you will get here is wild *** guessing at best with a question like that, too many variables.
Last edited by Quickshift_C5; Aug 29, 2009 at 07:01 PM.
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Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,722
Likes: 138
From: Florida
St. Jude Donor '09
I'm not being a smartass, I gave you sound advice, I've been working on my own vehicles and many others for over 30 years. There are too many variables involved with this issue for INTERNET troubleshooting.
If you really want the facts get yourself a service manual and learn basic troubleshooting. Even if you are not capable of working on your vehicle, it will provide you with information that can serve as a BS filter for unscrupulous shops.
If you really want the facts get yourself a service manual and learn basic troubleshooting. Even if you are not capable of working on your vehicle, it will provide you with information that can serve as a BS filter for unscrupulous shops.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 30,045
Likes: 4
From: Danville Virginia
Look down behind the alternator and you will see a large bolt and nut at the end of the steering linkage. Tighten that bolt as tight as you can. I had a steering position sensor installed by Doug at ECS and on my first test drive I had play in the steering. Doug grabbed his long extension and tightened that bolt (..and I mean tight), end of problem. 
Chuck
Chuck
Last edited by csexton; Aug 29, 2009 at 08:16 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,728
Likes: 142
From: Iowa
Look down behind the alternator and you will see a large bolt and nut at the end of the steering linkage. Tighten that bolt as tight as you can. I had a steering position sensor installed by Doug at ECS and on my first test drive I had play in the steering. Doug grabbed his long extension and tightened that bolt (..and I mean tight), end of problem.
Chuck
Chuck
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,728
Likes: 142
From: Iowa
Look down behind the alternator and you will see a large bolt and nut at the end of the steering linkage. Tighten that bolt as tight as you can. I had a steering position sensor installed by Doug at ECS and on my first test drive I had play in the steering. Doug grabbed his long extension and tightened that bolt (..and I mean tight), end of problem.
Chuck
Chuck
Now, when I turn the wheel...the black rubber boot covering the linkage and the polished metal piece with the bolt through it turn at the exact same time. There is NO slack there. However, lightly turning the wheel one direction or another where the "play" is, doesn't turn the shaft that I drew the arrow to. If I turn it a bit more than the play, that shaft then turns.
So let me see if I have this right. The linkage is suppose to be bolted to that brown shaft by the polished metal piece. If that is a bit loose, it will have some play in it? I tried turning it by hand and it seems tight. I need to find something to get in there and tighten it even more I guess.
Does this sound right to you guys and think I found it? Excuse my rough terminology...
Heading back out to see if I can find something to work in there, don't have my tools on hand right now.
Edit: The shaft that the steering linkage bolts to is suppose to turn with it with absolutely no slack right?
Last edited by Quickshift_C5; Aug 29, 2009 at 08:53 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 30,045
Likes: 4
From: Danville Virginia
I think this is the problem, though I'm not sure. I want to be sure of what I'm looking at. Take a look at the following picture:
Now, when I turn the wheel...the black rubber boot covering the linkage and the polished metal piece with the bolt through it turn at the exact same time. There is NO slack there. However, lightly turning the wheel one direction or another where the "play" is, doesn't turn the shaft that I drew the arrow to. If I turn it a bit more than the play, that shaft then turns.
So let me see if I have this right. The linkage is suppose to be bolted to that brown shaft by the polished metal piece. If that is a bit loose, it will have some play in it? I tried turning it by hand and it seems tight. I need to find something to get in there and tighten it even more I guess.
Does this sound right to you guys and think I found it? Excuse my rough terminology...
Heading back out to see if I can find something to work in there, don't have my tools on hand right now.
Edit: The shaft that the steering linkage bolts to is suppose to turn with it with absolutely no slack right?
Now, when I turn the wheel...the black rubber boot covering the linkage and the polished metal piece with the bolt through it turn at the exact same time. There is NO slack there. However, lightly turning the wheel one direction or another where the "play" is, doesn't turn the shaft that I drew the arrow to. If I turn it a bit more than the play, that shaft then turns.
So let me see if I have this right. The linkage is suppose to be bolted to that brown shaft by the polished metal piece. If that is a bit loose, it will have some play in it? I tried turning it by hand and it seems tight. I need to find something to get in there and tighten it even more I guess.
Does this sound right to you guys and think I found it? Excuse my rough terminology...
Heading back out to see if I can find something to work in there, don't have my tools on hand right now.
Edit: The shaft that the steering linkage bolts to is suppose to turn with it with absolutely no slack right?
Chuck
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,266
Likes: 8
From: Indian Rocks Beach FL
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
My steering shaft was removed to install my headers. Sounds like yours was too and they didn't tighten the clamp. The service manual calls for the bolt to be tightened to 25 ft/lbs. Sounds like you don't have the proper tools so I'd suggest you take it back to the shop that did the install and tell them what needs to be done.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,722
Likes: 138
From: Florida
St. Jude Donor '09
Lucky find, I'm glad for the OP but this is not typical. As for the shop that did the work, what a bunch of incompetent bufoons. Leaving the steering shaft bolt loose, completely unacceptable for someone who gets paid to do it right.
Last edited by ipuig; Aug 30, 2009 at 10:44 AM.