Steering Wheel Play
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iTrader: (11)
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 12,604
Likes: 7
From: East Central Florida
Steering Wheel Play So I hit a deep pothole which toed out my alignment
and took it in to the tire store. I told the dude I was
also feeling a lot of play in the steering wheel but the
wheel-wheel had no play at all, maybe there was a
jam screw on the pinion or something? He said no, it
was factory only.
But what there was, was the clamp end of the U-joint
steering linkage contraption was loose and almost backed
off the shaft. I never have touched that. Maybe was a
forgot-to-tighten from when the K-member went in
(over 5 years ago?) and just the pothole bump was the
last straw.
Feels like a whole different car now. Tight as the old lady's
Jag.
Somehow I don't think loss of steering woulda been fun.
Something to double check if you find your steering wheel
getting sloppy but the road gear is tight.
and took it in to the tire store. I told the dude I was
also feeling a lot of play in the steering wheel but the
wheel-wheel had no play at all, maybe there was a
jam screw on the pinion or something? He said no, it
was factory only.
But what there was, was the clamp end of the U-joint
steering linkage contraption was loose and almost backed
off the shaft. I never have touched that. Maybe was a
forgot-to-tighten from when the K-member went in
(over 5 years ago?) and just the pothole bump was the
last straw.
Feels like a whole different car now. Tight as the old lady's
Jag.
Somehow I don't think loss of steering woulda been fun.
Something to double check if you find your steering wheel
getting sloppy but the road gear is tight.
Good catch, and good FYI to pass on!!
One other thing to consider is the rag joint on the steering column. Even the newest 4th gens are 2002s, almost 9 years old now. The rag joints, over time, can tear and/or just get "soft" and should be looked at, as they too, will cause play in the steering column.
One other thing to consider is the rag joint on the steering column. Even the newest 4th gens are 2002s, almost 9 years old now. The rag joints, over time, can tear and/or just get "soft" and should be looked at, as they too, will cause play in the steering column.
