Bump steer (Page 2/2) Spadesluck MAY 07, 05:14 PM Rodney Dickman also makes a brace to take up that slack in that long bolt/spindle area. sd_iconoclast MAY 09, 12:24 AM My son and I checked the torque on the long bolts shown above. We found that both of them were torqued to less than 20 ft-lbs. We torqued them to 50 ft-lbs. Our subsequent test drive showed that the "looseness" in the steering was better, but mostly still there. We then replaced the end links on the front sway bar as the bushings were damaged. Maybe I had overtorqued them when I switched everything to poly about ten years ago. This also seemed to have little effect. Then my son noticed that there actually was play in the steering rack. We could not produce it with the wheels off, but the extra leverage that the wheels gave us was enough to allow us to move the rack (and the opposite wheel) without the steering wheel turning at all. The steering effect we get is most noticeable when changing lanes on the freeway. Once you start changing lanes, it is as if the pavement keeps pulling you in that direction. The same thing happens (mostly at high speed) when we hit a bump. The steering rack itself looks (externally) like it is in good shape. The boots are not cracked and there does not appear to be fluid leaking anywhere. Any ideas? Blacktree MAY 09, 02:07 AM You can adjust the preload on the pinion gear, in the steering rack. Maybe try that? Will MAY 10, 09:06 AM quote Originally posted by Blacktree: You can adjust the preload on the pinion gear, in the steering rack. Maybe try that? That's *WAY* easier if you pull the bucket out of the front compartment first. sd_iconoclast MAY 10, 11:44 AM quote Originally posted by Will: That's *WAY* easier if you pull the bucket out of the front compartment first. I didn't know the bucket came out. Is there anything tricky about it? I am going to try the rack adjustment. I am just waiting for Rodney's tool to arrive. Patrick MAY 10, 03:43 PM quote Originally posted by sd_iconoclast: I didn't know the bucket came out. Is there anything tricky about it? It's been a few years since I last removed one... but if I recall correctly, the only thing that required any effort whatsoever was drilling out the rivets that held the brake line supports. sd_iconoclast MAY 16, 01:20 PM We adjusted the preload on the pinion gear using Rodney's tool. That seem to have fixed the Problem. I highly recommend Rodney's tool.