1988 Steering Play question (Page 1/2)
winnie9200 DEC 24, 08:53 PM
I hope you guys are having a very merry Christmas!

I've been having issues with my 88 Fiero having a sort of "rubbery" feeling deadzone in the steering, about 1-2" in the center of the steering range of motion feels loose and rubbery and I cannot for the life of me figure out why. It doesn't feel completely loose like there is no weight at all, rather it feels like there is a weak spring force pushing the wheel back to center. When I put the car up on jack stands with the front wheels off the ground, there is almost zero play in the steering, so it only happens when there is weight on the wheels.

I do not believe it to be the inner or outer tie rods, I checked those for play and they seem good. I've been trying to adjust my rack preload as well, but the nut on the top of the rack isn't behaving (22mm wrench seems too big and is rounding the nut, 21 is too small, SAE Sized wrenches are the same story), but it doesn't seem like a rack issue since the steering is super responsive when no weight is on the tires.

Any suggestions for what to check next? I've heard that the rack mounting bushings might lead to some play, but I'm not sure exactly how to isolate them. I also just ordered some new poly for the control arms so maybe, fingers crossed, that fixes my issue. Thanks!
theogre DEC 24, 10:50 PM
first isolate the steering to find where a problem is.
See my Cave, Steering

Note: plastic tube covering bottom column outside have 1 or 2 bolts inside holding it there.

------------------
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

Raydar DEC 25, 10:57 PM
You mentioned the rubbery feeling. Does it happen when you're driving? Or stopped?
If it happens when you're driving, it almost makes me think it's an alignment issue.
Check your wheels to make sure they aren't toed in. (Toed in will make it more likely to track in a straight line. Toed out will make it want to change directions quickly.)
Just a shot in the dark.
Raydar DEC 30, 09:37 AM
< Bump! >

Did you ever figure out anything?
Thanks.
winnie9200 DEC 30, 08:49 PM
Nothing yet, I haven't gotten a chance to get back underneath the car yet because of the holidays, but I plan on using Ogre's advice when I do get back.
reinhart JAN 01, 06:04 AM
Was this a sudden occurance, gradual over time, or like this when you bought it?
winnie9200 JAN 01, 01:34 PM
It was like that when I bought the car almost 1 year ago exactly. I’ve been over the tie rods and they’re rock solid but I still have to do the thing with the vice grip that Ogre suggested. I’m keep you guys posted
cyrus88 JAN 02, 12:27 AM
With the front wheels off the ground, grab the wheel from 12-oclock and 6-oclock position and shake the wheel to see if it moves.

I had a similar issue and the entire suspension was solid, but the wheel bearings were loose! The above test led me right to the problem. Gook luck!
winnie9200 JAN 02, 02:53 AM
Following ogres guidance, it seems to be the rack that’s the problem, since with the input shaft locked, there was no play at all, which was my original guess. I’m working on pulling the rack now and seeing if tightening the preload screw is gonna help.

I checked my wheel bearings when I checked the tie rods and they seem rock solid as well as the ball joints. Seems like there’s no other place other than the rack to look now… that’s not gonna be fun
Raydar JAN 14, 07:46 PM
Hah! I remember this thread. (Nice meeting you today, BTW.)

My first 88, acquired with 114K on the odo, had about 3" of play in the steering, "on-center". Had no effect on the direction of travel.
Without the wheels turning at all, you could move the wheel about that far, left to right, and back. Very disconcerting.

Unfortunately, the rack gear can wear in the center. Tightening the preload won't help. If you remove the "on center" play, as soon as you try to turn, it will get really stiff, and can bind.
That was my situation. I ended up having to replace the rack assembly. This does not seem to affect all 88s. I have owned several. This one was the only one.