I have a 93 with over a 100k on it... and it's begining to get a lot of play in the steering wheel. Mainly, you have to start turning the wheel quite a bit in either direction, from center, to get the wheels to start to turn, and when trying to hold turns at highspeed, seems to wander a little.

I've replaced most of the bushings and pillow ***** on the car, as well ad the tie-rod ends, connecting the steering to the wheels. The car has a new suspension and upgraded toe-links and trailing arms.

I was wondering if doing something like installing a reman steering rack, would possibly make a difference. Could all the exsessive play be due to a warn rack and pinion set. I stumbled across this site the other day:

http://steeringrack.com/product_info...oducts_id/4252

Any thoughts?

 

Yes, it could. As I understand it, a bad rack is when there is play between the steering pinion and sliders.

I suggest you take it to a good alignment shop, and ask them to check the alignment and inspect the steering rack. Then take home their recommendations and do it yourself

Dave

 

The rack mount bolts can come loose and allow the rack to move back & forth - maybe that's your problem.

 

Yep. Check that first.

The lash between the rack and the pinion can also be adjusted. The FSM explains how to do this but I'd go to a shop and have them inspect it first if you've never worked on one.

 

Did you do an alignment after all that bushing and suspension work? That would definitely throw things off.

 

I agree with the rack mounts coming loose.

Also check the tie rod ends, the boots are known to split allowing the ends to wear.

 

We did replace the tie-rod ends... both boots were cracked. I was hoping that would tighten up things a bit, but no luck. I've also noticed recently that the steering really fights me. I just don't remember it being that tough. I did put new tires on, and had the car aligned. I'm currently running Kuhmo Ecsta MXs and was running Yokohama Avs dBs. So, it could be the tires.

What are the symptoms of "bad" power steering. Could it be related to something like that... where it either over compensates, or doesn't assist at all?

 

The inflation pressure and tire sizes can have a noticeable effect on steering response. What size are you running, and are they on stock rims?

 

Stock rims, and stuck with the 225/50 R16s. Running F32 R30 PSI...

I honestly don't think I like my alignment much. I brought the car to a shop with a good rep, and the car is certainly "aligned', but he wouldn't even entertain the specs I brought to him. He was a pretty stubborn, older Italian guy who was like "there is only one way to set up this car"... so I took his word for it and can't say that I'm thrilled.

 

Well that could have a lot to do with it. I think it's the front toe setting that's particularly important.

 

Any noise or other symptoms when it wanders/malfunctions?

IIRC, there are u-joints and a rubber shock torque-isolator in the steering column - if that is loose or failing you could get these symptoms.

Also, most PS units function by twisting a torque-rod in the unit and opening ports to direct the PS fluid to the rack based on the torque you apply. If there is dirt or debris in the fluid occasionally blocking the ports, the PS could work erratically

 

Thanks DaveW for the info... I've always wondered how the heck the PS system works... hmm... well, I've got over 100k on the car... and while much has been replaced, that is still an original part. I can't say that the PS fluid has been completely flushed anytime recently... but I know that i have added fluid from time to time.

But from what I'm hearing, there is the possibility that certain things might be tightened up in the steering rack that may lessen the play, and make it more solid around turns?

 

Hey guys... just got my car back from a 3 month stint at the shop. Have a nice low-mi tranny in there, and various other tweaks. But, still trying to figure out what the deal is with the steering, and we didn't have an opporunity to work on that too much while it was there.

I just put in a low-mileage power steering pump, because my old one was leaking... we also installed new sway bar ends (sorry, don't know the real name), a racing beat front sway bar reinforcement mount, and had the car 4 wheel aligned to -1.2º front rear cambers, and 1/16" front rear toe IN. The car handles much better now, but it is still easily "motivated" to go where the road is telling it to, and not where I have my steering wheel. Most noticable on the indented highways.

DamonB, you mentioned that you can adjust lash between the rack and the pinion. I've been looking through some of the manuals I've downloaded and they don't say all that much about adjusting the steering, just how to take it out and put it back in. Also, someone mentioned something about the rack mount bolts. Are these fairly easy to get too?

Thanks!

 

Replace the 2 steering rack bushings.