[gilbertj0hn]

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. Steering systems generally give ample warning of problems and excessive play is generally caused by worn steering racks and tie rod ends. However because steering parts are considered ‘Safety critical parts’ it is best to address any issues as soon as possible.

[bokab51]

A visual inspection of the steering system is recommended to identify any potential problems. The best way to do this requires the vehicle on the ground resting it’s full weight on the steering and suspension system as raising the vehicle has the effect of locking or wedging components against each other removing any free play. Have an assistant turn the steering wheel from side to side but only until resistance is felt. Moving the steering wheel in this manner will reveal:

[mycroftholmes]

Special tools and equipment are often required to service suspension components. Wheel alignment must be performed after replacement of any suspension component. Always refer to the vehicle manufacturers repair advice before commencing any work on the vehicle.
The below table lists common symptoms and remedies for free play in the steering system.

[tcatm]

There must be NO free-play between the gimbal ring and the shaft. more

[llama]

The ONLY time these bolts should ever be torqued is when the gimbal ring is new and it is being installed for the first time. [links]

[gmurray840]

Excessive steering play can be a serious and dangerous condition.
The drive should have very little side-to-side freeplay.
Have a friend hold the steering wheel tight while you stand behind the boat and swing the drive back and forth. It should move very little.

[poet_imp]

If you have excessive movement, inspect the area at the top of the Gimbal Ring where the steering shaft passes through the gimbal ring and into the boat.
(See image below)

[MYurong20]

My car has 220000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission. here

[jstn]

Hi there. The first thing you would need to do is perform a dry park steering test. Have someone get in the car and set the parking brake. Then have them start the engine and turn the steering wheel left and right just to when the wheels begin to move. Look under the vehicle at the steering system and see what is moving. If you had your rack and pinion system replaced a month ago and all of a sudden you have a loose steering, either the ball joints on the end are loose or the bushings on the rack and pinion are missing or damaged. Fix or replace what is moving. If you need further assistance with your steering wheel moving and the tires not moving, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.

[lockie]

My first guess is the bushings. The car has 200k plus miles and is completely stock. [links]

[Traktion]

I recently had some installs done at Car Toys. An auxiliary cord and a remote start system. I don't think fuses and electrical work could affect steering, but I'm obviously not an expert. It's just odd that less than a week later, this problem occurs. I also took the car to my mechanic about a month ago and replaced the entire power steering rack. I hope this has no direct correlation.

[adamjkok]

My 2005 Subaru Legacy GT has suddenly given me a very unresponsive steering issue. It gets worse as speed increases. It feels like I'm sliding sometimes, as if I'm on ice and the tires don't have any traction. I turn the wheel and the car doesn't turn until it "catches" and sometimes jerks or slightly swerves. The steering wheel doesn't return to center and isn't aligned with the direction of travel. here

[bitcoin_pl]

Special tools and equipment are often required to service suspension components. Wheel alignment must be performed after replacement of any suspension component. Always refer to the vehicle manufacturers repair advice before commencing any work on the vehicle.
The below table lists common symptoms and remedies for free play in the steering system.

[RioMays]

Tie rod ends, as the name suggests, are found on the ends of the steering rack and 'tie' the rack to the steering knuckle or hub carrier. Any free play in these affects the tracking and is generally displayed as uneven wear on the outside edge of the tyres. Poor tracking will also cause the vehicle to wander/drift to one side while driving or braking. here

[omaryamfinleyy]

To respond to driver inputs and turn the wheels, ball joints allow the suspension to move up and down while allowing the steering knuckle to pivot. Worn out ball joints affect the camber of the wheels and result in the poor response to driver input as well as a tendency for the car to pull to one side.

[UnnaturalIntelligence]

A visual inspection of the steering system is recommended to identify any potential problems. The best way to do this requires the vehicle on the ground resting it’s full weight on the steering and suspension system as raising the vehicle has the effect of locking or wedging components against each other removing any free play. Have an assistant turn the steering wheel from side to side but only until resistance is felt. Moving the steering wheel in this manner will reveal: more

[kslaughter]

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. Steering racks are fairly tough and generally little goes wrong with them. If anything the bushings on either side of the rack tend to fail and it is these that allow for play in the steering.

[Frost987]

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. Steering systems generally give ample warning of problems and excessive play is generally caused by worn steering racks and tie rod ends. However because steering parts are considered ‘Safety critical parts’ it is best to address any issues as soon as possible.