I have some play in the steering wheel that I can not figure out. I have replaced everything in the front suspension (tie rods, ball joints, rack bushing) and also the steering intermediate shaft, hoping to fix the play that I have. I also adjusted the rack preload. The play is when I turn in one direction or the other the steering wheel seems like it has some dead play for a 1/4" or so. When going down the road the wheel just seems to slop around. Other than this the car is tight as can be. I am not having the problem in the tilt area. The steering wheel nut is nice and snug. My next fix would be to replace the whole steering column, but I would rather just fix it. I have searched with no luck. Help me please!

I posted this in a recent thread,,,

quote Inspect the shear pin in the steering column, it is located at the floor boards where the two steering columns are joined together. It is a nylon shear pin designed to break away in case of an accident allowing the column to colapse. Unfortunately in my case, the mechanical shop in my neighborhood broke this piece while installing my new steering rack. They must have used a BF hammer and damaged the shear pin, had about an inch play in the wheel. I ended up having our work mechanic tack weld it as a temporary measure. If you turn the wheel slightly either way while watching the joint, you'll should be able to notice any play.

Hope this helps.

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jetman
Silver 86 SE 2M6 4-speed, with "check wallet light"

any easy way to get to it or get it out?

You can pull the whole steering column out with a few bolts, this junction where the column meets the rack and pinion is just above your brake pedal, if you lay on your back you should see it quite easily. I know the factory hoses that bolt down with locktite, so I might mean it falls out easily.

I got the same issue. and, I think that post was from a thread I started about it a few weeks back.
but, I also had the pre-load adjuster on the steering rack come loose - so, I think mine is due to pinion damage from the loose adjuster.
but, the car is parked now, waiting for a new cam

if you guys are talking about this coming loose ect, i have already replaced it. here is a picture. what else could be my problem. it feels like it is in the column.

quote Originally posted by anthony_86gt:

I think what they are talking about is the pin, which I am guessing in this picture is on the right side, on the thicker part of the shaft, just before the u-joint. now that I see see it like that - I know where to look on mine - thanks

Sometimes a wobby steering column is mistaken for play in the steering system. If you have a wobbly steering column you'll need to completetly disassemble it down to the bowl and tighten the four bolts that hold it in place. If the steering column seems tight then check the condition of the steering box.

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87GT 3.4 Turbo- 0-60 5.2 seconds
2006 3800SC Series III swap in progress
Engine Controls, PCM goodies,
re-programming & odd electronics stuff
" I'M ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

I have the same problem but it is about an inch. It is the rack itself so I'm going for a remanufacutered one. It was not the shear pin.

ok heres a good way to narrow down the problem. jack up the front end and slide under it, then have a friend turn the wheel back and forth that 1/4 and look and the shaft going into the rack if the shaft is turing and not you inner tie rods the play is in the rack if the shaft itself is not moving its in the column and if its all moving you have loose suspension. also grab the top and bottom of the steering wheel itself and rock it fordwards and backwards it should not move if it does its loose bolts inside your column (common problem) just tighten them up.

I have already replaced the steering rack and the intermediate shaft. The play is somewhere in the column. Do you think that the play is in the shaft in the steering column? I attached a picture of this part that I found on e-bay.

I would not say its the shaft itself, is it a tilt column? if it is I had the top two bolts that held the tilt piece in place come loose and the steering wheel was really loose. but that was the wheel and part of the column itself would be loose to the point it would all swivel in a circle. Dose your have that kind of movment or is the hole column solid and its just play in the turing of the wheel?

it is just play in the turning of the wheel. when i turn the steering wheel even when the ignition lock is active (with no key in the column) it still has play. i do have a tilt column but it is very solid, no problems there. anyone else with any suggestions?

bump

quote Originally posted by pontiacman63383: ok heres a good way to narrow down the problem. jack up the front end and slide under it, then have a friend turn the wheel back and forth that 1/4 and look and the shaft going into the rack if the shaft is turing and not you inner tie rods the play is in the rack if the shaft itself is not moving its in the column and if its all moving you have loose suspension. also grab the top and bottom of the steering wheel itself and rock it fordwards and backwards it should not move if it does its loose bolts inside your column (common problem) just tighten them up.

best starting point I've heard sofar - have ya done this yet?

it is in the steering column.

I dont have much to help you, I do have a spare column with I think loose tilt for parts if your interested.

The shaft that you posted the picture of has a plastic shear key in it that if damaged will allow some play in the wheel, but not 1/4", plus about the only way to damage that key is in a major car-crushing impact, dropping the column on its end out of the car, or using a hammer to loosen the steering wheel.

I haven't seen you post that you did this test: grasp the steering wheel firmly and move it side to side, not up and down and not turning it, just side to side. If there is any play at all then you have the problem with the loose lower housing bolts. Those bolts being loose can easily allow slop when turning the wheel.

Do this test and post back.

Also, I see that you say you can turn the wheel with the lock active. The locking function is done with a pin that intersects notches in the edge of a disk located immediately behind the steering wheel. Nothing else in the column can give you play in the ignition lock. This sounds like the steering wheel itself is loose, or that the lock pin isn't fully engaging the lock plate (the disk with notches). Might want to pull the wheel and plastic cover under it to take a look-see.

JazzMan

[This message has been edited by JazzMan (edited 09-12-2007).]

Mine was this way and I found that the splined hub, right under the steering wheel, was loose. I just had to tighten the 19mm nut and this took all of the slop out of it. I also used loctite on that nut.

ok i think i found the spot where its loose. it wasn't in the steering column like i thought. i looked and looked and stumbled upon this area thats loose. it is happening at the spot circled in the picture. it is right near where it bolts to the steering rack. is there a fix? could i just tack weld it? this is already the second one that i had bought. i wish there was a way to get a new one.