Hey guys, here whats going on, when I’m driving my car about 30MPH I start feeling a lot of play in my steering wheel. When I’m on the hwy and driving about 60 to 70 I can really feel it. It’s almost impossible to keep it in a strait line. There about a inch or two of play when steering, any ideas. Thanks guys

 

Jack car up in the front. see if you can shake the tire. shake left and right = tie rods. shake up and down = ball joints

 

yah i can move ther left to right, i cant check right now if they go up and down.

 

If that's the case then, get new tie rods, inner and outer, both sides. Also you may need to check your center link. If it moves freely then the joints are worn out so replace it too. tie rods usually run around $10 each at the most, center link i believe you can pick up for about $20-30.

 

I just bought every front end steering component from Rockauto.com for $97 plus shipping, that was Idler Arm, Center Link, 2x Tie rods Inner, 2x Tie Rods Outer, 2x Tie Rod Adjusting sleeve and also 2 Ball joints.

Very cheap, so for ~$100 I will have a whole rebuilt steering setup. You may want to do this also, chances are if your tie rods are going out, so are your other parts, especially if you have THAT much play in your steering.

 

The prices i said are high but I was just making sure I covered it, but $97 for all that? That's cheap. I think I might visit that site myself.

 

what do you all feel about p.s.t, are they any good, i figur if im going to rebuild my front end, i mite as well spend a little more and do some upgrades.

 

One of the best companies out there. That would be the best decision if you have the money. Go ahead and get the whole kit. Comes with everything you need. Get all new bushings, tie rods, center link, idler arm, ball joints. You might even need to change shocks and struts. When suspension parts fail, shocks and struts take more of a beating and don't hold up near bout as long.

 

Yeah:

1987 CHEVROLET CAMARO 5.7L 350cid V8 TPI (8)
SPICER5051026BBall Joint$ 7.21$ 0.002$ 14.42
SPICER4351075BCenter Link$ 21.79$ 0.001$ 21.79
SPICER4251013BTie Rod End Adjusting Sleeve$ 3.26$ 0.002$ 6.52
SPICER4501065BIdler Arm$ 11.51$ 0.001$ 11.51
SPICER4011317BTie Rod End$ 7.12$ 0.002$ 14.24
SPICER4011316BTie Rod End$ 7.12$ 0.002$ 14.24
Shipping $ 14.63
Order Total $ 97.35


I got spicer parts, its the same company as Dana. The MOOG is more expensive, but IMO its all made in china anyways!

 

Not so fast hot rod! The quick ratio (sport stearing as GM likes to call it) could also be cooked. Mine was on top of everything else. I managed to find a good one in the wrecking yard by going through a few birds and maro's turning the wheel back and forth while counting the turns lock to lock. I also had a friend grab one side while I moved the other to check for excesive play. It only cost me 15 bucks (U-pull) and a new alignment. From the sound of how much play he has, I would be looking at the pitman arm and see if there is any slop while someone turns the steering wheel back and forth.