RCowan

iTrader: (25)

I have some excess movement in the steering shaft that goes through the firewall. I can grab it and wiggle the thing side to side, Its like a bad bearing or something. The connection to the u-joint is tight and OK. When starting a low speed turn in a parking lot, etc, you hear and feel the "clunk" of the thing moving. At first I thought it might be extra lash, but its the looseness of this shaft/bearing (if its a bearing).

How does one R&R this thing? What is the easiest way?

peterock98

iTrader: (25)

My headers were rubbing against my steering shaft and I adjusted it by loosing up the 2 10 mm bolts under the carpet and moiving over the steering shaft .I suggest you check those bolts and make sure there tight.

shaun

go over all the bolt to make shure they are tight.
the engine was replaced in my car and the stearing shaft bolt wasent tight enougf and it had play in the wheel. i tightend the bolt more and it went away

RCowan

iTrader: (25)

Thanks guys. That reminds me...a few months ago I had a leak and one of the fittings going into the rack was less than finger tight. :/ I tightened it down, and no more leak. Maybe its just that simple. Stuff working itself loose over time. All the bolts on the column at the fiewall are tight inside and out and the wheel itself is solid. The bolt on the upper Ujoint is tight. Maybe its on the lower end... Got to do some more exploring...

RCowan

iTrader: (25)

Its definately on the upper end. Both Ujoints were good and tight. Its definiately something on the shaft that passes through the firewall that is loose. Is there a bearing in there past the seal that could be bad?

peterock98

iTrader: (25)

I don't think there is a bearing, that metal bracket secures it on the inside .Has the car been in an accident?

RCowan

iTrader: (25)

no, the car has never been in an accident. I was looking in the Helms manual... looks like it should be the bearing on the lower steering shaft. Its held on the end by a metal retainer and snap ring. I just ordered one from Pace, we'll see if that does it...

peterock98

iTrader: (25)

http://shbox.com/1/rack&pinion.jpg

RCowan

iTrader: (25)

Thanks for the link! That site is cool.

The part I ordered from Pace is #87 in this pic:
http://shbox.com/1/steering_column_exploded.jpg

That is where all the slack is coming from. It pretty much is the same as the pic in my 99 Helms manual.

peterock98

iTrader: (25)

Good luck hopefully the bearing will solve the problem

RCowan

iTrader: (25)

Thanks, I'll take some pics and report back later whenever the part gets here and I get a chance to work on it. If not I'll be searching for a steering column removal write-up.