hello all,

i'm having a problem with way too much play in the steering on my 90se.
when i last had it in the shop, the tech told me that it was a bushing that connected the steering column to the firewall? but in the FSM, it only lists bearings and tie rods as possible culprits.

any suggestions on where i should start?

 

Just a suggestion, check the belt tension.

 

I noticed some play in my wheel last night too. Probubly about and inch, I thought it my be my alignement because the struts are dieing.

 

improper belt tension won't cause play in the steering wheel.

In orter to find the problem, you're going to need two people.. crawl under the car and have the other person turn the wheel back and forth (1/8 - 1/4 turn is plenty. just enough to make the system move)... grab onto the rack where it mounts to the firewall, and grab onto the tie rod ends where they join the spindle... you will be able to feel where the play is in the system.

It could also very well be the ball joints. if the car has 100k+ miles on it and you've never changed them, it certainly won't hurt to do it while you've got the car apart. an extra 30 minutes and $75 in parts will save you from having to get another alignment when you replace those.

 

http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?UseCase=S001&UserAction=viewSimpleDiagRes ultsInfo&Parameters=Front+Of+Vehicle|~24|~Driving| ~22|~Play+In+Steering|~136|~Feels+like|~1&FROMJSP= type

this doesnt apply to EVERY car cuz other cars might have more stuff but most of it does. hope this helps

 

sry its not a link just select the whole thing and paste it

 

matt, how often do you get the chance to come back up to tulsa, if ever?

 

my 89 had play in the wheel and when i replaced my rack i replace the knuckles and the play went away so you may also have the same problem mine did just a thought might wanna check into it

 

had the same problem recently Two bushings he sprobably right. carefull on the highway mine swerved like hell

 

I still head back every couple of months. I'm going to be heading up there again sometime mid-may to meet with some friends and see family..