PJmak

I have play in the steering wheel.

For example if Im turning and then stop the car and leave the wheel turned, theres play in. While parked in that position, if I grab the wheel, I can move it back and forward almost half inch in both directions without any effect on the wheels.

I drove my friends car and his feels really tight.

What causes this? I just had alignment done and that didn't really have any effect on this issue.

mickey13

the guy who did the alignment couldnt tell you what it was? i'd guess maybe tie rod or ball joint, something like that

importfan21

Idler arm/bushing probably.

TreeFitty

I had this same issue. I noticed it at drive thru's when stopped with the wheel turned like you said. The fix was new tie rod assembly (both tie rods and centerlink). In the beginning of this video shows what joints usually go bad and how to check them. . Bad news is you'll need another alignment.

Pagz

Guys, the steering box's on these need adjustment over time as they wear, to adjust you need to drop the drag link off the box, wind out grub screw on top until 100 - 160Ncm is achieved at 1100 - 1300 on the steering wheel. outside of this window play increases and torque required decreases.

Over cooking this will result in greatly reduced gearbox life.

Make sure your damper is effective it will keep the play outside of this area more acceptable

PJmak

honestly this is probably what causes wandering on the road if its bad especiLly on a lowered car with extra negative camber and heavy wheels.

mine was done once a while back. Might be time for a new one.

wasnt able to play the video with sound. Does he talk about how to check if the old one is bad?

PJmak

thanks

Ill look into that as well once I get ynder there.