Steering wheel play

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Oct 3, 2015 | 12:28 AM

JD McC

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From: Colorado Springs Colorado

Steering wheel play

2011 GS. Developed excess play in the steering wheel, about 1 inch each direction. Problem is in the column. Ruled out the tie rod ends, rack,intermediate shaft. What is probably the problem and how hard would it be to fix? Drives me nuts on the highway and in autocross slaloms.
Thanks

Oct 3, 2015 | 02:42 AM

loco_stevie

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Quote:

Originally Posted by JD McC

If you don't mind me asking, how did you rule out everything? If what you are saying is true, it'll be tough to answer this question!

Oct 3, 2015 | 10:44 AM

schpenxel

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From: Raleigh, NC

St. Jude Donor '15

I'm wondering how everything was ruled out too.

Oct 3, 2015 | 02:07 PM

CrvtBB

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From: North Carolina

my guess is you might need to have the steering rack replaced. I had a similar symptom develop shortly after I purchased my '11 GS and they did something with the column first, which didn't fix it and finally ended up having to replace the rack. Been fine since.

Oct 3, 2015 | 04:31 PM

JD McC

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From: Colorado Springs Colorado

Quote:

Originally Posted by loco_stevie

If you don't mind me asking, how did you rule out everything? If what you are saying is true, it'll be tough to answer this question!

Had it up on rack with a mechanic. Examined the tie rod ends, replaced the rack (x2). If you watch the intermediate shaft while turning the steering wheel, the shaft does not move while the steering wheel is moved within the area of play. Thought it might have been in the upper U-joint of the intermediate shaft so I was going to replace the intermediate shaft, but I noticed that the play in the steering occurs before this joint as well by observing where the column shaft meets the intermediate shaft. So, the play in the steering occurs before the intermediate shaft. Has to be in the column as far as I can tell.

Oct 3, 2015 | 04:49 PM

ChevyDave

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From: skiatook oklahoma

that much play above #51 seems pretty scary to me! (fyi.. this is a telescoping column parts list)

Last edited by ChevyDave; Oct 3, 2015 at 05:31 PM. Reason: addd note that this is telescoping version

Oct 3, 2015 | 07:29 PM

loco_stevie

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Quote:

Originally Posted by ChevyDave

that much play above #51 seems pretty scary to me! (fyi.. this is a telescoping column parts list)

That's what I was trying to say, if OP already eliminated those possibilities, I can't think of known items on the vette that will cause 1" of play in both directions...

I wish I can help more, but if you ever find out, please let us know!!

Oct 4, 2015 | 04:45 PM

Dano523

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Ditto with ChevyDave,

Lock out the connection to the gear pinnon rack just below #51 so the gear rack connection is not able to move, then see how much slop you have in the steering column from there back at the steering wheel itself.