play in wheel, problem?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 199
Likes: 1
From: tacoma wa
play in wheel, problem?
I've recently replaced my front inner and outer tie rods. I've gotten an alignment, and just got some new tires mounted and balanced all of the way around. I still have a small amount of wheel play, though. I can move the wheel clockwise or counterclockwise between 1/2 to a full inch before it does anything. Should I check out my steering column? Is this supposed to be like that? Any insight would be appreciated greatly.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 199
Likes: 1
From: tacoma wa
steering feel
If tbis were the case, would this account for a lack of good road manners? I just got an alignment after having my inner and outer tie rods replaced, I have new sway bars with new polyurethane bushings lubed right, torqued down right, just got new nto5's all the way around with a balancing. I still don't get the same confidence that I once did with my steering and cornering.. Could this bolt be the reason why?
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
If it loose,, HELL YES! Its a 1 min check. Check it. You can see pt with the hood open!
You can see the steering shaft in this picture,,,, Follow it forward:
You can see the steering shaft in this picture,,,, Follow it forward:
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 199
Likes: 1
From: tacoma wa
canted bolt
I checked on the steering column. The bolt right before the steering rack was a little loose. I tightened it, but the bolt coming out of the rack isn't perfectly straight out into the steering column now. I can see where the bolt once sat, does that matter? It's only canted just a little bit. Up from where you bolt the steering column to the steering rack is a joint, kind of like an elbow. This joint is pretty loose, is that normal? There's still a good amount of play in the steering column after tightening the bolt. Thanks for the help guys!
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
Did someone remove your rack and if they did they really screwed up.. ALL OF THAT MUST BE TIGHT> ZERO LOST MOTION!! If its LOOSE,,, you have BIG ISSUES. Get if fixed correctly... Its your SAFETY
BC
BC
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 199
Likes: 1
From: tacoma wa
Yah, me and my buddy removed the steering column when doing my headers. I guess he didn't tighten it down well. It's pretty tight now after tightening the bolt up near the firewall. Does that bolt coming out of the steering rack need to be straight out? If it's canted a little bit, is that okay? It's very difficult to get it 100% straight for some reason..
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