Steering play - can I see it

[strykr14]

My 92 had play in the steering when I got it. Unlike my GL which has tension in the wheel the second you start to turn, this thing feels much more like a 70's family car. During a overhaul, I replaced the rack and tie rods w/a unit I got from a member on the forum. Still doing the same thing. Is there any way I'll be able to see the play if I get under tha car and have someone move the wheel or I pull the boot back in the car? Would the play be in the joint between the rack and steering shaft, and if so, would it be easy to see?

Yes, both pinch bolts are tight.

 

[rubydist]

The joint between the rack and the shaft is splined on, iirc, so if the pinch bolt is tight there should be no play there. There are a couple of universal joints - its possible there is play in one or both of those.

 

[strykr14]

The joint between the rack and the shaft is splined on, iirc, so if the pinch bolt is tight there should be no play there. There are a couple of universal joints - its possible there is play in one or both of those.

Where would those be? I had play in an older car once and You could see the rag joint was bad - I am hoping it's something like that. If not, I may have to grab a column form somewhere.

 

[SHOZ123]

In the column. Lift up the firewall boot and look at the interior steering shaft for play while you ever so slightly move the steering wheel.

 

[strykr14]

In the column. Lift up the firewall boot and look at the interior steering shaft for play while you ever so slightly move the steering wheel.

will do.

 

[pjtoledo]

the square slip joint under the dash is notorious for play, easy to check if you like laying upside down on the floor. turning the wheel when the engine/powersteering pump is NOT running is a great way to ruin that slipjoint, it can't take much torque.

 

[strykr14]

the square slip joint under the dash is notorious for play, easy to check if you like laying upside down on the floor. turning the wheel when the engine/powersteering pump is NOT running is a great way to ruin that slipjoint, it can't take much torque.

Is that the spot that the bolt goes through? There were 2 bolts, one a 10 mil rack to joint(for lack of a better term) and then a 13 mil, joint to column. I take it it's the second. If the slip joint is bad, wha will I see?

 

[pjtoledo]

there are a couple of different styles of slip joints, any chance of a picture under your dash? are you talking about a SHO sedan or your SHO wagon which may have a Slo steering column? I'm not sure there is a difference between the two on a per-year basis. the joint I have in mind has a sliding square shaft to collapse when the rack is shoved back during a collision. the outer shaft becomes enlarged which allows the inner shaft some free play.

 

[strykr14]

there are a couple of different styles of slip joints, any chance of a picture under your dash? are you talking about a SHO sedan or your SHO wagon which may have a Slo steering column? I'm not sure there is a difference between the two on a per-year basis. the joint I have in mind has a sliding square shaft to collapse when the rack is shoved back during a collision. the outer shaft becomes enlarged which allows the inner shaft some free play.

It's a SHO column though I am almost 100% sure that they are the same as a slo w/a center console. I'll take a picture 2morrow. Garage says it's the rack but I doubt it as it was doing the exact same thing before I changed the rack out.

 

[strykr14]

FYI, it was the 10 mil bolt closest to the rack. Pulled the boot, got a wrench on it and was able to give it 3 or 4 good cranks. Play is all gone. Still hear some clicking when I turn but no more play!