2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission stearing wheel play?

[ftb87]

How much play should I have in the stearing wheel?

 

[fest3er]

If everything is tight, there should be very little play. When running down the road, you should not be able to detect 'free motion' in the wheel.

If you do, it could be a number of things. The steering shaft could be worn. The joints at either end could be loose. The steering gear could be worn. And, if you drained the P/S system lately, there *could* be an air bubble inside the gear.

Get someone to 'rock' the steering wheel left and right, repeatedly, with the engine off. Whilst this is happening, inspect the steering shaft for play, inspect the joints for play, and inspect the steering gear output for play. And, if you 've done good so far, compare the input fo the gear with the output, looking for internal play.

If you don't find any play there, check the tie rod ends, track bar (if equipped) and the ball joints. These would likely exhibit a tighter 'play' (rather than totally free play), but you might see it with a visual inspection.

Fest3er

 

[illflem]

Neal's advice is right on, one note though; some rigs have been known to "puke" PS fluid out the fill cap when turning the wheel with the engine off. Just so you know where it came from if it happens.

 

[fkovalski]

I had excessive play in mine and the dealer replaced the steering box at about 16K miles. It now steers fine @ 25k miles thus far. -fjk

 

[rkressg]

I can flip the wheel over from one side to the other and the wheels will not move. It has been like that since day one, my dealer said there was no problem. The only way the problem got any better was when I rebuilt my stering box at 60,000, I just tightened up the adjustment screw.