I just had the front end aligned by ETD yesterday. The alignment seems to be on, but the steering still has some play in the center that I was understand the alignment would help. Apparently my ball joints and bearings and all that stuff up there is OK (I'm sure they would've fixed something for more money, since I actually asked them to check it all out). So... What else could cause play in the center of my steering? Once I turn a few degrees either way, it seems to be normal, but if I hit a bump while the wheel is centered, I have to be careful.

 

how many miles are on the car? there are many different things that could casue play in the front end, be a little more specific.. does it seem likes its too easy to turn or do you mean that it feels like it has play when turning... play when turning for example you turn the wheel a little but the tires dont move would be a worn pitman arm, give as much info as possible and im sure someone on here if not me will be able to help you narrow down and locate the cause

 

For a few degrees either way from the center, it feels like the steering wheel has no effect on the wheels turning, but then it catches and works like it always has. I could be driving in a straight line and wiggle the wheel from side to side with no movement.

If it's the Pitman arm, how do I check myself to see if it's worn? Is it obvious? LOL

 

GilmourD: I know exactly what you're talking about. I like to describe it as a "bouncy" or rubbery steering wheel. Like you can be driving in a straight line, turn the wheel a few degrees in one direction and let it go, and it will oscillate back and forth. Both of my Camaros (those in the sig) do that, and it's very annoying.

What's more, I've rebuilt the front ends on both of my cars and had both of them re-aligned, and none of that has helped that condition.

If I understand correctly, there's a piece of rubber that connects the steering-wheel shaft to the input shaft on the steering pump. My guess is that the rubber gets worn over time, and it ends up putting play into the steering wheel.

I'm not sure if that's what it is or not, or if it's even possible to replace. It just seems to make the most sense to me--I can't imagine that any other part of the front end (which is made mostly of metal parts) would behave in such a flimsy way even if it were worn.

 

It doesn't so much bounce as it just has no effect... But then again, I never let go of the wheel... Hmmm. [shrug] Any other suggestions?

 

get the front end up on jack stands, put em under the subframe rails and grab the one of the front wheels at 3 and 9 o'clock and try wiggling them as if you were checking the wheel bearings, its helpful to have a friend help with this, if there is play in the wheel and you can get it to move side to side look under the car and see where the play is, the pitman arm is the arm that connects to the centerlink and is on the bottom of your steering box, make sure your steering wheel is locked and see if theres play when you wiggle the wheels, take note of anything else that may have play in it, things to note would be your inner and outer tie rod ends, the idler arm, which looks similiar to the pitman arm but is bolted rigidly to the subframe on the opposite side, those are all wearable parts that could cause a loose or sloppy front end, also take note of the condition of your bushings, and while you have it off the ground check the ball joints too by grabbing the wheel at 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock and wiggle to see if they have play in them.. thats all i can think of right now, but im a tad drunk, if i mixed anything up im sure someone will correct me though good luck!

 

Steering gearbox needs adjustment.... not part of an alignment service

 

and as rb has just noted steering boxes also wear over time but are adjustable, theres a bolt in the middle of em where that you can adjust if the slop appears to be in the box itself, your manual should have instructions to adjust it iirc, however when my steering box required adjustment it was more like ridiculiously easy to turn and scarry at highspeeds more so then it was unresponsive, but perhaps that can happen as well

 

I've been busy for a while, so I haven't had a chance to look at this 'til today... But... OK, I found the adjuster on the top of the gearbox. How do I know how much to adjust it? I don't see anything in the Chilton manual involving adjusting it on the car. They seem to have the gearbox completely disassembled and out of the car, cuz the next step is reinstalling it. LOL Any easy way to tighten this up to remove the slop?

 

Loosen the nut, and turn the Allen screw in ¼ turn; test-drive. If it helped, do it another quarter turn. If it starts to feel stiff or sticky, back it off.

Not real scientific or quick, but effective.

 

Thanks. That's all I needed to know. I was just afraid cuz somebody in another message mentioned it could be dangerous to adjust it. I shall do that.

It may not be scientific or quick, but it's a hell of a lot easier than removing the whole gearbox like the Chilton book seems to suggest.

 

I have read through this post, and I have a question.

I had taken my car in for inspection yesterday and they told me that my idler arm was loose. The alignment on my car is good, but sometimes you can feel the car follow things. (especially when I have the 16x8 rims on it)

What is the difficulty of replacing the idler arm? (if any?) And if anyone has a part number I would very much appreciate that! Thank you in advance!

 

any suggestions...?