'Loose' steering at 75 mph plus
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,341
Likes: 233
From: Placitas NM
St. Jude Contributor '03 & '04
'Loose' steering at 75 mph plus
I need a little help diagnosing the issue. 2001 M6 coupe with 200,000 miles. Stock suspension, shocks replaced at 100,000 and still performing. Tires replaced and balance performed around 15,000 ago.
Recently I've notice at 75 mph I have a little play in the steering. At 70 mph no play. It's as if the front end is lifting allowing the front end to move.
Are there parts that wear that would cause this to happen that I now have to replace? What should I be looking for?
Thanks
Recently I've notice at 75 mph I have a little play in the steering. At 70 mph no play. It's as if the front end is lifting allowing the front end to move.
Are there parts that wear that would cause this to happen that I now have to replace? What should I be looking for?
Thanks
Acct Suspended APR 2026 by request
Joined: Dec 2010
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2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
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do you remember what your alignment specs were set to when it was last done and how long has it been?... check the steering linkage bolt that holds it to the rack as well as the rack bolts that hold it to the cradle... make sure there isn't any excessive play in the linkage or and watch the rack while someone turns the wheels and make sure the tie rods or the rack itself isn't moving, there is a bushing on one of the rack bolts that can wear out and make the steering feel sloppy... that's where I would start
Last edited by StingrayRebel; Nov 3, 2016 at 10:31 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,341
Likes: 233
From: Placitas NM
St. Jude Contributor '03 & '04
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
You should NEVER have any free play in the wheel. At ZERO mph or 187mph!
Try this. Have someone (a helper) start the engine and rotate the steering wheel "SLIGHTLY" left & right. Enough to move the front wheel ever so slightly left and right.
While they do that, you Inspect each and every movable joint in the front suspension for ANY lost motion.
Pay particular attention to:
- Tie rod ends at the steering rack
- Steering shaft connector where the steering shaft connects to the steering rack input shaft
- On the passengers side of the steering rack is a rubber isolation bushing that the rack mounts to. Make sure that it is not damaged/missing/loose
- Upper and lower A arm bushings. Make sure that there isn't any SLOP when the wheels are being moved (left & right)
-
The wheel HUB bearings could also be bad but you would need to jack each wheel off the ground and do the 12:00 / 06:00 PUSH PULL TEST to see if the hub has any bearing slop.
Please let us know what you find.
Bill
Try this. Have someone (a helper) start the engine and rotate the steering wheel "SLIGHTLY" left & right. Enough to move the front wheel ever so slightly left and right.
While they do that, you Inspect each and every movable joint in the front suspension for ANY lost motion.
Pay particular attention to:
- Tie rod ends at the steering rack
- Steering shaft connector where the steering shaft connects to the steering rack input shaft
- On the passengers side of the steering rack is a rubber isolation bushing that the rack mounts to. Make sure that it is not damaged/missing/loose
- Upper and lower A arm bushings. Make sure that there isn't any SLOP when the wheels are being moved (left & right)
-
The wheel HUB bearings could also be bad but you would need to jack each wheel off the ground and do the 12:00 / 06:00 PUSH PULL TEST to see if the hub has any bearing slop.
Please let us know what you find.
Bill
Last edited by Bill Curlee; Nov 4, 2016 at 11:13 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,375
Likes: 1,593
From: Western NY
OP says car has 200,000 miles on it.............I'd be thinking that ALL the front end parts (ball joints, tie rod ends, a-arm bushings) have reached the end of their life cycle, and should be replaced.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 349
Likes: 7
From: San Diego CA
As an aside, I have had three racks in my car, and all of them have had some play. The rack preload can be adjusted, and it helps for a while but will wear the rack down even faster eventually.
You can't get a new rack anymore and the rebuilt ones are pretty much garbage. The rack and pinion are not machined, they just replace the seals and spray some black paint on.
You can't get a new rack anymore and the rebuilt ones are pretty much garbage. The rack and pinion are not machined, they just replace the seals and spray some black paint on.
Last edited by T5Mika; Oct 20, 2017 at 02:48 PM.
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