My 91 RS vert has some serious play in the steering. I'm NOT talking about the play in the steering wheel tilt that all our cars get. Already took care of that. When I am driving, I can turn the wheel back and foth maybe 15 degrees to each side and not change the direction of travel. In other words, its like the steering wheel has lots of play before it transfers any steering input to the wheels. This lets the car wander all over the road. Its bad enough that sometimes I don't want to drive it. I have to actively steer the cat all the time, even if te road is straight.

I have replaced the steering box, which took about half the play out, but it is still bad. I also did wheel bearings, all 4 struts and center link, followed by alignment. 3 diferent mechanics all said my ball joins and tie-rod ends are fine.

Anybody have ideas what else could be causing this much play? Was the stering pretty tight on these to begin with?

 

Check out your rag joint. Located on the steering shaft where it bolts to the box. Pretty simple to replace, grind off four rivets, replace the rag joint, replace rivets with bolts.

 

Also check the steering shaft connector between the column and the rag joint, near the brake master cylinder.

 

ok, I'll check those both out. should I just try to move the rag joint and steering shaft connector with my hands to see if there is play? Is that how you tell if they are bad? Thanks for the help. I hadn't thought of either of those.

 

Pull back the plastic dust cover from the rag joint and turn the shaft by hand looking for play at the rag joint. Check the joint farther up the shaft the same way, verify that the bolt in that joint is not loose.

 

also how did u fix the tilt problem in the steering wheel? i have that same problem and ive taken the steering wheel apart twice already, it tightens up but then after a while it works its way loose...i cant remember if i put locktight on the 2 bolts that seem to be the culprit tho.... soo how did u fix it? i have to pull it apart again and i want this to be the last time lol.

 

did you check your idler arm too?