Any advise how to get this corrected? Is this typical, dangerous, or common among a 91 Z28?

 

Some of the earlier cars had problems with P/S gearbox brackets breaking, but I think they had the problem cleared up by mid 80's. Worth a look at the mounting on gearbox.

 

Most likely the bolts holding the tilt unit have come loose. Very common, i would imagine eventually get so loose that if would become dangerous. Fix it, or have it fixed. There is a tech article on how to do it. Go to tech article on the home page, and you can find it there. Good luck, it takes a while.

 

actually I should have been more specific. Its actually feels as if it is in the rack in pinion or tierods or something. Its not the column but the steering its self... Thanks for trying to help me you guys. Appreciate it...

 

I would say get a moog front end rebuild kit from Spoon and go to town.

 

when i bought my car it had real bad play. all the linkage was stock (140k), and shot. i replaced all of it last winter and it helped, but im still going to rebuild the steering box. crawl under there and pull on the linkage, if it moves like its loose, it needs to be replaced

 

There's also a how-to somewhere on how to tighten up the steering box but I don't know where it is. Without rebuilding it, you can just take the play out of it.

Thanks for the info about the loose play in the tilt unit, I didn't know about that. I also have a bit of play in my wheel and I think that's where the play is coming from as all the front parts are new.

Ed

 

Anyone get this months issue of GMHTP? They cover swapping in an aftermarket steering shaft from Flaming River (http://www.flaming-river.com/enter.htm) and also installed a new steering box from Detroit Speed (http://www.detroitspeed.com/Home10.html). The shaft from FR uses universal joints instead of a rag joint but otherwise is like the stock unit. The hardest part of the install is just installing the U-joints on the shaft since you have to drill a couple holes for set screws and bolts. The only drawback is that this new shaft supposedly transmits more road noise but big deal if the steering is tight.

If you're looking to replace the rag joint in the stock shaft like I am, take a look at Flaming River.


Ed

 

I know I'm bringing an old thread back to life, but I found this thread while searching. I had the same exact problem. It turned out to be the center link was shot. While I was at it, I also replaced the idler arm.

I realize this probably won't help you, but hopefully it will help someone else...

 

I rebuilt the whole front suspension a while back so I dont' think that's my problem.


Ed

 

If you have the capability, you can make something like this. http://www.unbalancedengineering.com/Camaro/Rag_Joint/ . You wouldn't need to mod the joints to a u-joint, just replace the rag joint with a solid piece. Metal fatigue? Possible, but perhaps some materials engineer can chime in.

Anyhow, FWIW (being an old thread and all), I think the play is probably in the upper steering, not the rag joint. I replaced my rag joint a while ago, but I can still twist my steering wheel around a bit. Replacing the rag joint helped, but there's still play. The play doesn't translate into movement at the rag joint, it's definitely before. I can wiggle my steering wheel, but it doesn't wiggle the rag joint.

 

I agree, I think it's somewhere in the tilt wheel mechanism. I know of a procedure to tighten it up, I just haven't done it yet.

Ed