Slop in the steering wheel. Anyhelp?

**gnomee** · 01-26-2006, 03:08 PM

Okay I have a 96 T/A and a 98 Formula roughly the same mileage believe it or not 166,xxx.

Okay the 98 is great I move the steering wheel a half inch left or right and the wheels move no slop. Now on the 96 I have anywhere form a half inch to an inch of slop before the wheels move. What could really cause this other than low fluid? The rams that steer the wheels from the fluid are not leaking.

Well writing this I came up with the bright idea to check the fluid

) It is a little low and I will check that but I'm not thinking it is low enough to cause this sort of issue. So unless that is for sure what it is I'm hoping you guys might have some suggestions. Thanks in advance for any help!!

**02z28ls1** · 01-26-2006, 06:47 PM

Power steering fluid level doesnt affect play in the steering.This could be a number of things which a good mechanic could pinpoint for you but I'll run down a list of things that it could be in order of most common.Tie-rod play-either inner or outer.Rack and pinion play-the "rams" that you spoke of is actually the rack and pinion gear box-pull back the bellows boot on both sides where the inner tie rods are and see if there is any leakage inside the boots.Steering linkage play-see if there is anything loose in the steering linkage running down the steering column and next to the motor(connection to the rack also).Looseness in ball joints or control arm bushings.Less likely but can't be overlooked-play in the wheel bearings.In other words -have some one that knows what they are doing shake down the front end suspension-tell them what you are concerned with.A good alignment man can spot this stuff.

quicky06 · 01-26-2006, 06:53 PM

im not sure on newer cars but my 88 blazer all i had to do was tighten a bolt which pushed the 2 gears in the stearing column closer togeather. if that helps at all

**02z28ls1** · 01-26-2006, 06:57 PM

Originally Posted by quicky06

im not sure on newer cars but my 88 blazer all i had to do was tighten a bolt which pushed the 2 gears in the stearing column closer togeather. if that helps at all

Totally different different type of steering box-that's a recirculating ball design box in the Blazer- F-body is a rack and pinion.If the play is the rack,replacing it is the only option-have everything checked out first.

**gnomee** · 01-26-2006, 07:14 PM

Thanks for the info 02z28ls1. I will pull those boots back and check other loose things. I just put a water pump on it and that is my next job. 166,xxx and still on the stock opti spark!!! Yipee!! Thanks again for the info, I have a buddy who works at a local shop and has some ASE certs. I'll have him look it over if I don't find anything obvious.