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86 Camaro Berlinetta 305 V8 with AT. As soon as I put the key into the ignition to unlock the steering wheel without starting the car the steering wheel has excessive play on the right side only. What gives here? Anyone know please chime in on this...suspension checks out fine.
I never knew before what that lock nut on top actually did. I feel like it would be set from factory and never need adjustment but maybe something wears out?
tightening the steering box made a big difference with my last thirdgen. Good guide JRobling.
As mentioned, be careful about over tightening; this will be easy to tell on a short road test as the steering will be stickier to return to centre.
Also i suspect these cars had a pretty wide dead centre zone when new; especially compared to a newer rack and pinion setup in something like a BMW sport/ M car. After a full moog steering kit and adjusting the lash outta the steering box, I still had a little play on centre before the wheels would turn...
Your play is coming from both the screws in the column and the plastic u joint that mergers the steering wheel shaft and the steering rack assembly. I have replaced mine with one from a corvette and tightens it up a bit but it is mainly fatigue in the 2 joining metal parts that is your play.
Update: Found the problem to the excessive steering wheel play. It turned out to be the plastic steering sphere with the horseshoe spring inside. It was worn out. the spring inside the steering sphere. Also the bearing race crown was very damaged and the lower bearings on the upper steering shaft of the tilt column was missing the little bearings around the retainer. Got these parts off of ebay and now the steering is all tight like it used to be. hope this helps someone else out there on what else to look for when dealing with steering wheel slop. Thanks to all for the reply's!
Update: Found the problem to the excessive steering wheel play. It turned out to be the plastic steering sphere with the horseshoe spring inside. It was worn out. the spring inside the steering sphere. Also the bearing race crown was very damaged and the lower bearings on the upper steering shaft of the tilt column was missing the little bearings around the retainer. Got these parts off of ebay and now the steering is all tight like it used to be. hope this helps someone else out there on what else to look for when dealing with steering wheel slop. Thanks to all for the reply's!
Update: Found the problem to the excessive steering wheel play. It turned out to be the plastic steering sphere with the horseshoe spring inside. It was worn out. the spring inside the steering sphere. Also the bearing race crown was very damaged and the lower bearings on the upper steering shaft of the tilt column was missing the little bearings around the retainer. Got these parts off of ebay and now the steering is all tight like it used to be. hope this helps someone else out there on what else to look for when dealing with steering wheel slop. Thanks to all for the reply's!
Can OP please post pictures of the parts that solved the problem?
The links to eBay will die, but pics last forever and will ensure those searching for the answer in the future will get the help they need
Hi,
Can anyone tell me what the thread and length of the 3 torx bolts are that hold the outer plastic trim on to the steering column. The columns out of a 1988 camaro that I dismantled a couple of years ago and is now going in to a new project.
Thanks in advance,
Reuben
