Play in steering wheel and nasty noise in passenger front wheel - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

tpi305 · 11-02-2009, 05:57 PM

Hello and sorry if I didn't put this in the right place. My 1986 Iroc w/121,000 miles has some play in the wheel and it makes a nasty creak in the passenger side front when turning.

About the play, I'm pretty sure its in the box, but I could be wrong. The shaft steers even with the slightest movement of the wheel, and when grabbing the wheel at 9 and 3, theres zero play. The center link is fairly new, but everything else is original as to my knowledge. I adjusted the box but it didn't seem to make a difference. When the wheel is turned, I don't see any play underneath.

The right front makes a bad creaking or squeaking sound when turning or sometimes when hitting bumps in the road. It also wore the tire on the outside edge and on the inside edge. The psi was the same on both sides. I just installed new 18"s and I really don't want a bald tire in 5k. I grab the wheel at 12 and 6 and there is a little bit of play there, but not much. I kinda hope its a ball joint over a strut mount

.

Does anyone know whats going on with that right front? I really hope its not a shock because I don't have that kind of cash at the moment. I would like to get something decent when I do.

Edit: Oh and I have had a fairly recent alignment and it drives straight. The first place didn't know what they were doing but the other place put it at typical settings for a chevy car I guess. They looked at specs I gave them that I got from here and they said that they would work too so I assume they know what theyre doing.

tpi305 · 11-03-2009, 02:44 PM

No one knows?

Oh yeah I forgot to say that I had my dad turn the wheel back and forth to make the noise while I checked it out and I put my ear on the strut mount. I could hear it radiate up through the mount, but it sounds like its coming right from the hub area.... sounds like a ball joint to me but Im not sure.

BMR Sales · 11-04-2009, 08:53 AM

Jack the car up and start grabbing parts and see if there is any play in them. If its the balljoint the wheel should "clunk" around (best terminology I could come up with) when moved.

cybrslider · 11-17-2009, 07:11 PM

Strut mounts are more expensive to replace than ball joints but much, much easier...

1988-305-tbi · 11-17-2009, 08:08 PM

sounds like an IDLER ARM to me. mine made a groaning/creak noise and had massive amounts of play in it, the balljoints make more of a popping/cluk sound,

BMR is right, lift up the car and start tugging every wich way on your steering componets, there shold be no play in it, also doesn't hurt to have a buddy cranking the wheel from left to right, tires on ground, while you watch and look for slop or play between components

if your strut mounts are original, they are shot, but they are rubber so you won't hear any noise from them, just excesive strut play

Komondu · 12-07-2009, 10:21 PM

Hi im also having the same problem with my 90 RS. Has some steering play and makes noises. Did you got it fix? If so what was the problem?

JamesC · 12-08-2009, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tpi305

The center link is fairly new, but everything else is original as to my knowledge. I adjusted the box but it didn't seem to make a difference.

With the age/miles your car has, I'd expect a lot of play, especially if only the center link has been replaced. As a consequence, adjusting the box might not provide the kind of improvement it might if new steering components had been swapped in. Maybe time for a rebuild.