Steering play?

[byrds6]

Should there be any wiggle in the steering wheel? I can wiggle mine maybe a 1/4 inch if that before it moves the tires. May have always been this way I just do not recall. Thanks

 

[02Lightning]

I have the same issue, I haven't had time to look for where the play is.

 

[992dr]

I just noticed this while driving home from the beach yesterday.

 

[byrds6]

So is a 1/4 bad though. Or did it maybe have that much from the get go. As touchy as the steering is it seems of it wasn't there and I sneezed wrong I'd be off the road lol.

 

[Jason_S]

This 'play' in the steering wheel is usually due to the steering gear needing to be adjusted. it can be done in your drive way with a combination wrench and an allen wrench. there should be several videos on Youtube showing you how to do it. However, the last that I heard labor for the adjustment is only .1 hrs, so you could ask a shop to adjust it when you get your next alignment.

 

[byrds6]

So nothing is actually wrong with it. It just needs adjusting?

 

[Jason_S]

In most cases. An easy way to check, is to have someone rock the steering wheel back and forth in the range where you see play while you look at the steering gear output. If it turns with the steering gear, then the play is elsewhere and should be investigated further. If the output does not turn, then it is in the gear and is not a big deal until play becomes excessive.

 

[byrds6]

Awesome I may look into that soon then. Thanks for the replies. I already need to replace shocks and have recently had to do hubs and calipers. Really didn't want anything else expensive soon.

 

[02Lightning]

Unless it's rack and pinion, like in my case.

 

[byrds6]

Sorry to hear that. I hope that is not the case with mine. When It was at the dealership getting its brakes beld I asked about the adjustment and they told me they wouldnt do it. They only replace them. Of course thats probably more to do with not getting to charge you a lot for it lol.