Steering play

Recently replaced both inner and outer tie rods. And also steering rack bushing like a month or two ago. I still however have some play in my steering. I can see that the steering linkage going into the rack can move without the wheels moving. What does this mean? I need a new rack? Or I’ve seen some people put a tack weld on their steering column at the collar. Thanks

 

So I had the same problem a couple years back. Got a new rack, and it didn't fix it. Did the tac weld mod afterwards and that solved it.

I'd suggest grabbing your steering column, right above where it goes through the firewall, and holding it firmly with one hand while trying to move your steering wheel back and forth. You'll be able to tell while doing this if there's play in your steering column. If there is play, then do the steering column tac weld. If not, you've isolated the problem to your rack.

 

I’ve been living with the play for a while. I think I remember feeling the play your talking about a while back. I really don’t want to replace the rack cuz I just put bushing and tie rods on it ugh. So hopefully the tac will fix it. Thanks

 

Nice timing...

My '03 is in the shop right now. I am heading out on a 1500 mile trip and it has an annoying slight pull to left at highway speed so I wanted to fix this.

Shop said "slight play" in tie rods so I said go ahead fix inner and outer ($500). Then they call and say it can't be aligned because too much slop in steering shaft. Uhg. another $500. Then call and say they needed an additional part for steering shaft for play ($500). Don't know total bill or if this even fixes my pull-to-left problem.

(don't give me "your shop are scammers" -- these people are honest to a fault... sometimes I ask them to fix something and they say it wasn't bad enough or they do it for free..)

So slop in steering shaft is a thing and apparently can jam up the alignment process...

 

it was the rack in my case, pulled to the right. Just like you, tried everything else to avoid a new rack, it was the culprit. Go OEM, don't skimp in this one. McGeorge/Ourisman was the best price I found.

If you can move the rack without the shaft or wheels moving, that's my guess.

 

theres a rubber joint right before the steering shaft goes into the rack. The rubber can go soft and cause play and make your steering wonder.

 

is there a replacement joint for that? Or do you need a whole rack? That and the tax weld mod seems like it’ll fix my issues

 

https://a-premium.com/product/Steer...hKyL04jIEBCDj3CcLt0DecCF296wmr6caAuVbEALw_wcB