Just bought an 87 Iroc. I have been trying to figure out what is wrong with my steering. All help is appreceated.

There is about an 1/8 of a turn of play in the steering. When your driving down the road it will pull to the right and you have to turn much more than you should to get the car back straight. Then after you turn left. It will pull left. and you end up see-sawing the wheel. Looks like drunk behind the wheel. I crawlled under the car this weekend and did some checking and can't find anything loose under there. Any suggestions.

 

The gearbox probably needs adjustment.

 

you might need an alignment how do the front tires look (wear wise)..

 

even

 

Mine is doing the same thing How do you adj. it?

 

Not to be a dick but you guys might actually find your answers to basic car repair questions in any repair manual. I'd suggest looking in a Haynes or Chiltons manual in the steering and suspension sections or troubleshooting section. There really is alot that could be wrong with your front end.

 

I thought this was the right place to ask such a ? Have you ever looked at a haynes manual they suck .. I have checked all my supesion parts and I dont see anything wrong just a little play in the steering wheel like posted above..

 

Actually, I have a Haynes, Chiltons and the GM service manual for my car so yeah I know whats in'em.

You want an answer? Sounds like your centerlink is in dire need of replacement, or you might have really worn ball joints, or your tie rods may need replacement. First off, I'd have an alignment shop look at it since they know what to look for better than anybody, if an alignment isn't the fix, then you've got expensive steering parts to replace.

 

I replaced my ball joints last year and the tierod ends are fine so are the center link ....I have a chilton book in my garge I will go over and look at it tonight an see if it has any info on adj. the gear box...

 

This thread has info on how to adjust the play out of your steering box, even has an illustration for you...

Steering info thread

 

Thanks that is what I was looking for very easy fix I will do it this weekend ..

 

I think I may have it figured out. I did some checking and found the when I turn the ignition on and wiggle the play in the steering wheel, It does not move the steering shaft. I think it must be the knukle in the tilt column. Anyone experience this problem. I am getting a new column tomorrow and will let you know if this fixes my problem.

 

You can get a new bushing to replace a worn one.. You dont have to get a New colum.. If it is the same part I am thinking of.. round bushing under the hood..

 

Also check the rag joint. This is the rubber disk coupler located at the input of the steering box under the plastic cover. They have a habit of turning into silly putty.

RBob.

 

Before you buy a column for nothing, It sounds like your on the right track, Make sure you slide back the plastic cover on the steering shaft under the hood. It is secured to the p/s pressure hose and might be hiding the problem. Give it a twist and it should free it up enough to check the rag or U joint at the steering shaft portion under the hood. Oh.. also if you have enough mecanical ability to change the column... Can you just disect the column thats in there and fix it. It's not that hard to do. A couple of tips, lay it all out in the order it came apart and your on your way. only special tool you need is the steering wheel puller and some torx bits... you can pull the tilt pins with a small bolt ( the size of the threads in the tilt pins ) and a socket with a larger internal diameter than the pins if you don't have the tool. I do this everyday and can write it out here exactly what to do from memory if you need to take it apart inside the car. probley cost you 15 bucks instead of what ever the used columns gonna cost...

 

I am getting one for free. A friend of mine parted out an 87 z and has a tilt column he doesn't need. So I won't be out anything buy my time of changing it out.

 

Then you certainly must know that Haynes sucks. When compared with the others out there, its basically a beginner manual for the home mechanic. I wish they gave more info, I usually have to suppliment their info with info from other sources to get the bigger projects done.