What to do if your steering wheel is free play?
The below table lists common symptoms and remedies for free play in the steering system. Uneven tyre wear. Replace faulty steering parts. Perform wheel alignment. Loose steering gear (rack or box) mounting. Tighten steering gear mounting bolts/replace mounting bushes. Loose wheel bearings. Adjust or replace bearings.
What does excessive play in the steering system mean?
Please CLICK HERE for more information. Excessive play in the steering system can be defined as: where the steering wheel can be turned more than one to one and a half inches without the wheels rotating. When the steering wheel is loose, “has play in it”, it is difficult for drivers to correctly know the position of the front wheels.
Why does my steering wheel play so much?
Do not be disheartened because problems can arise, but there is a fix for everything. If the pitman’s arm is damaged, your steering wheel could become loose or have excessive play in it. Now, this is an essential component and acts as a link between the steering box and the rack.
How does a rack and pinion steering wheel work?
The majority of light vehicles use rack and pinion steering. The steering rack is essentially a straight bar with splines at the ends. These splines engage with similar splines on the pinion and allow the steering to function when the wheel is turned.
The below table lists common symptoms and remedies for free play in the steering system. Uneven tyre wear. Replace faulty steering parts. Perform wheel alignment. Loose steering gear (rack or box) mounting. Tighten steering gear mounting bolts/replace mounting bushes. Loose wheel bearings. Adjust or replace bearings.
Please CLICK HERE for more information. Excessive play in the steering system can be defined as: where the steering wheel can be turned more than one to one and a half inches without the wheels rotating. When the steering wheel is loose, “has play in it”, it is difficult for drivers to correctly know the position of the front wheels.
Why does my steering wheel play all the time?
Idler arms are common. That is one of the first things I would check, something obviously is wrong witht that much play. You need to determine if it’s something in the steering gear or in the front end. I’ve heard of the knuckle in the steering shaft going also.
The majority of light vehicles use rack and pinion steering. The steering rack is essentially a straight bar with splines at the ends. These splines engage with similar splines on the pinion and allow the steering to function when the wheel is turned.