How much slack is ok?

[dfhotlm33c]

Going through car...for next year


Appleton 3.4 rack

when engine isn't running, the steering wheel will move about 10* either direction before the wheels move..

examining closely, this slack isn't at the rack, as the input at the rack doesn't move when the steering wheel is turned through this range of slack motion..in other words, the slack seems to be generated strictly through the u-joints in the system..

is this normal, or too much? do I need to rebuild the steering column?

[sj valley dave]

Replace the u-joints in the shaft...simple to do and our driver really liked the feel much better when we did...Having the wheel move that much without doing anything is a strange feeling I would think...

[hucktyson]

Going through car...for next year

Appleton 3.4 rack

when engine isn't running, the steering wheel will move about 10* either direction before the wheels move..

examining closely, this slack isn't at the rack, as the input at the rack doesn't move when the steering wheel is turned through this range of slack motion..in other words, the slack seems to be generated strictly through the u-joints in the system..

is this normal, or too much? do I need to rebuild the steering column?

What your feeling is the torsion bar in the servo twisting and its normal

[hucktyson]

Going through car...for next year


Appleton 3.4 rack

when engine isn't running, the steering wheel will move about 10* either direction before the wheels move..

examining closely, this slack isn't at the rack, as the input at the rack doesn't move when the steering wheel is turned through this range of slack motion..in other words, the slack seems to be generated strictly through the u-joints in the system..

is this normal, or too much? do I need to rebuild the steering column?

If its actually 10 degrees thats pretty excessive if you take the shaft out and feel play in the joints then they should be replaced

[sj valley dave]

When we replaced ours, the slack went to almost zero...10* is a ton of movement...imo

[Palehorse]

make sure set screw is tight too, mine loosened up and I thought it was bad u-joints.

[dfhotlm33c]

Thanks so much! Great ideas! I will check the set screws first..