Play in steering wheel, handling a bit off...

[Neil_W]

Hello all

Hope you can help,

Over the last week I have noticed bit of a problem with my handling just doesnt seem that good or sharp anymore and occasionaly on the duel carrigway it will pull around a little bit at random then drive smooth again

also steering doesnt seem that sharp bit of play in , maybe half an inch to an inch seems a little loose.

And lastly if I put full lock on to the right and reverse I can hear a clicky thumpy sound as if something is catching on the front left wheel.


Any advice?

 

[Maniac]

That's not right at all, an inch of play? Most cars have a little play, but not nearly an inch at the wheel, the sounds on lock could be rubbing or could be joint wear related. Without really seeing it it's hard to pinpoint but I'd get that checked by a garage for wear on any suspension or steering joints.

 

[cj10jeeper]

The clunking in reverse on full lock is normal and most do it under certain conditions

Play in the steering is not right. Up on a ramp and check all the joints related to the steering an the front suspension bushes.

If they're all OK it may just be the alignment that's out and will need a specilaist 4 wheel geo set up using Hunter or similar equipment.

 

[stradale]

I have a similar problem with my car, although I have no problems while reversing on lock. The feeling of play in the steering became more apparent after the front shocks and front suspension bushes had been replaced. After that I had the car aligned and all four wheels balanced. It reduced the problem by about 50%, but it's still there. Especially on smooth tarmac between 100 and 120 km/h (60-75 mph) there is a vibration in the steering wheel and you can feel the steering wheel tugging a bit, left and right. However, it does not suddenly veer off course if you hold the wheel lightly. So the alignment should be OK, same as the balance of the wheels.

Neil_W, it's almost a year since you posted, has it been fixed? Anyone else who can shed some light on this, please chime in.

Thanks in advance!

 

[stradale]

*Bump*

Any thoughts?

 

[Stromtech]

In this case Play is Not Good...I would get an Indy to put the car on a hoist and check the front end components...asap

 

[andysat]

In this case Play is Not Good...I would get an Indy to put the car on a hoist and check the front end components...asap

+1

 

[Adamski]

Could be track rod ends


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[Kalvin]

could be a few things.. had a similar issue with play in front ball joints

 

[stradale]

Many thanks for the replies!

I know a good indy, so I'll ask them to check the ball joints and track rod ends shortly.

@ Stromtech: I don't know how else to describe it as play, but the weird thing is that everything still feels connected. The car changes direction as it's supposed to and the tugging does not seem to affect its course. Strange sensation though.

 

[cj10jeeper]

Quite common. I fixed on mine when I changed to non run flats and had a 4 wheel alignment done.

It's a very odd sensation when it does it, but doesn't appear to affect actual handling.

 

[Nova2k7]

my steering seems to want to pull when im doing about 60 as well, doing 30 its fine but anything above 60 and feel like the car want to pull left and right depending on the road surface, having the Bushes replaced helped alot but still does it