MidniteZ28

I have an 01 Z28 and there is a TON of play in the steering, I tightened up the adjuster nut on the rack, and changed all the fluid, but it didnt help!!!! Does anyone have, or has had this problem???? I am thinking that i might need a new rack, what do ya'll think????

f50nut

I'd like to know as well, and where is this adjuster nut?

KeithB

If you've got play, but the car steers OK once you've got the steering wheel cranked over enough, your problem is between the steering column and the pinion gear in the rack. But if it feels like your steering wheel is firmly connected to at least one tire but the car darts around the road, the play is somewhere between the rack bar and the tires. Did this 'TON of play' happen all of a sudden? If so, I'll bet you're afraid to drive it now, and that's GOOD fear. Even if it slowly happened, over many months; mechanical devices go from sloppy to broke in an instant. Don't chance that with your steering! Big slop in rack-and-pinion steering is BAD news. Get your Z28 TOWED to a shop.

The adjuster nut you mentioned has a spring behind it. Proper adjustment entails screwing the nut in until the spring bottoms out, then backing off a sixth of a turn, then tightening the lock nut (while holding the adjuster nut still). This gently pushes the pinion gear against the rack bar. If you bottom the adjuster nut and lock it there, you send your rack to an early grave, plus mess up the steering feel.

A rack replacement may be in your future. I'm guessing a shop would charge $400 - 800. You can buy rebuilt racks on the web for around $200. But you could have U-joint or bolt problems too. Or even tie rod or ball joint problems. All serious stuff. Have an expert evaluate it with their own eyes.

Tram

iTrader: (14)

I just had this same thing looked at by the local stealership..

The mech said it was not the rack as he would be able to "feel" that?? He said he thought it was a bolt broken or loose in the column?

Mine is loose, has some play left and right - about 2 inches also - when the steering wheel is turned within the limits of the play, the wheels do not turn, but the steering column shaft does turn.. So it's a deeper problem..

Anyone have any idea what this sounds like?

connexion2005

iTrader: (49)

Damn it someone answer this...i have about 2 inches of play as well. When im going 70 and can literally wag the wheel left and right about and inch and it at one time bit hard and jerked me side to side but now it barely responds.

Josh

connexion2005

iTrader: (49)

I was told that if you had no play wagging side to side on the front wheels when they are off the ground then you had a steering rack problem.

Tram

iTrader: (14)

I took mine to a local alignment shop and told them what it was doin.. He crawled underneath the car and said.. "Fixed.." I handed him a $20 and went my merry way..

The stealership estimated me $1,300 for the work... Friggin' rediculous..

Jon5212

iTrader: (2)

Have you checked your tie rods? Those can cause this as well... (several experiences on FWD cars)

VIP1

What was it? Loose bolt?

Tram

iTrader: (14)

Yep.. I guess I didn't know what to look for..

VIP1

Which bolt?

Ebbsnflows

iTrader: (15)

My buddy's does the exact same thing...I'll let him know where to look

austinb324

I have a somewhat similar problem. When im going down a bumpy road in my car it jerks from side to side. sometimes I have to turn the wheel to the left or the right to go straight on smooth road.

Tram

iTrader: (14)

Good question.. I have no idea..

I actually wasn't the one who took my car to the shop, I had my wife do it one day while I was out of town..

However, I do know what bolt it was not.

I thought it was the bolt up at the top of the steering column, but when I looked at the car after he worked on it, it was in the same place on the shaft.. So that was not the issue..