Steering wobble after brake lines and wheel bearings (Page 1/2)
indyfiero2m4 JUL 01, 09:12 PM
I spent the last month refreshing some front end parts on my 86 GT. Today i thought i was all finished but when i took it for a drive the steering wheel rocked back and forth on its own as i accellerated down the street.

I came home and immediately jacked it up, put my hands on each front wheel at 9 and 3 positions and both had a 1/4" or so play. The drivers side actually moved the steering wheel a bit and u could hear it lock.

My goal ovee the laat month was to clean, sand and paint all of the front suspension. Then replace everything i could that wouldnt require an alignment.

So brake lines, pads, new bearings and hubs, shocks, tie rod dust cover snd sway bar end links.

Now i dont know where to begin to fix this problem. When i get under the car and twist the wheel side to side i dont see any play in the outer tie rod. It seems fo be either the inner tie rod or the rack. Is there a way to tell the difference? And aside from seperating the outer tie rods from the knuckle and moving them around a bit i dont know how i could have damaged anything.
Patrick JUL 01, 10:23 PM

quote
Originally posted by indyfiero2m4:

...put my hands on each front wheel at 9 and 3 positions and both had a 1/4" or so play.



No play at 6 and 12 ?
indyfiero2m4 JUL 01, 10:53 PM
Nope, none
Patrick JUL 01, 11:17 PM

quote
Originally posted by indyfiero2m4:

Nope, none



Well, that's a good thing. It also helps to eliminate some variables. Someone with more front end/steering knowledge than I have will hopefully be able to add some input.
theogre JUL 01, 11:46 PM
wheel bearing must be installed right or can fail very fast.
See my Cave, Front Bearings

------------------
Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave

[This message has been edited by theogre (edited 07-01-2021).]

Patrick JUL 01, 11:52 PM

quote
Originally posted by theogre:

wheel bearing must be installed right or can fail very fast.



While that is certainly true, the reason why I asked if the 1/4" play also occurred at 6 and 12 was to see if it was the bearings which might've been causing the issue. Apparently, they're not loose.
theogre JUL 01, 11:57 PM
dog interrupt post...

play on horizontal not vert likely isn't wheel bearing play.
isolate play more
See my Cave, Steering

still need to read above. If installed too tight is often worse then too loose.

¼" play is too much for wheel bearings. Should barely feel bearing play on H and V.

[This message has been edited by theogre (edited 07-02-2021).]

indyfiero2m4 JUL 02, 11:56 AM
Thanks guys. Two questions.

I pulled the boot up on the input shaft to try to see if i could get vice grips on it. But im worried ill damage something. Where is the best place to put vice grips on the input shaft? Right at the rack or further up?

Second, my steering damper on the rack is rusted beyond recognition. Could that be the culprit?

[This message has been edited by indyfiero2m4 (edited 07-02-2021).]

Patrick JUL 02, 02:42 PM

quote
Originally posted by indyfiero2m4:

my steering damper on the rack is rusted beyond recognition. Could that be the culprit?



I'd say no. It's there more to offer resistance to movement rather than to take up any slack.

The steering rack pre-load can be adjusted. You still need to rule out other issues, but have a look at this thread - Steering Rack bearing (play) adjustment. Help needed.
theogre JUL 02, 09:31 PM
To get at lower column to iso the rack, remove 1 or 2 bolts holding it INSIDE of cabin. Then boot will move up easily.
lower and upper column just clamp under the dash both sides of Uni joint there.

"rusted" or otherwise wreck damper
does nothing and you feel every bump and far worse crossing angle RR tracks etc.
binds and makes car hard to steer.

Won't cause play problems.