[chris m]

Hi all,

I have what I would say is excessive free play in the steering. Have checked running gear, changed a buggererd track rod end, better but still there. My guess is the junction between the column and the rack or the actual rack. As in the title it is the model with belt driven powered steering. Any ideas before I rip the rack out?

 

[Lagdti]

Make sure the play is in actual rack it's self,and not in the colomn universal joints.They have a tendency to wear meaning that the wheel moves slightly without the wheels turning.

Also,jack both sides of the front of the car up and shake the wheels side to side.There is a possibility that the steering arm joints are worn.I'm not sure if their replaceable on their own or wether you need another rack.

Good luck Chris.

 

[chris m]

Cheers Laggy, I think on this one it's a whole rack although it does not look too hard to do, I see the manual models have an adjuster nut but no mention of it for mine, are the UJ's replaceble or is it new column.

 

[Lagdti]

I think you can buy the UJ's seperately.

If they're bolted at the top and bottom,then the UJ's are seperate.Sometimes the UJ's are connected together(theres usually two),and you just replace them as a whole.They are usually splined onto the colomn and theres normally enough spline to be able to unbolt them and slide them up and off of the colomn.

 

[chris m]

Cheers Lag, I'll taje a look later, if not there is a nice donor RSi at the scrapyard.

 

[Lagdti]

Sounds promising!

Good luck my Laaaaaannnndaaannnnn friend.:d

 

[chris m]

Cheers me old sparra

 

[DJC013]

Hello chris m, just wondered if you found a solution to the play in your steering ? Regards Damian.

 

[chris m]

No. I'm waiting for better weather before I drop the rack and check the UJ. In the meantime I've been underneath tightening all the relevant nuts and bolts on the front end and replacing bushes. It's improved it a bit.

 

[DJC013]

Ok, thanks for that, going to look at mine in the next week or so, will let you know if i find anything, regards Damian.