STEERING SHAFT PLAY...NORMAL OR NOT?

[vlados2002]

The steering shaft in my '71 2002 has about 1/8" play when I grab the steering wheel and move it side to side. Has anybody else experienced this issue? I looked at the bearing, spring, retainers etc and they seem to be in good shape but I could be wrong...

thanks

[nbristow01]

Wow 1/8 th inch is good. But if it is an issue check your idler arm bushings. See if they allow the idler arm to move within the bearings themselves.

[Lorin]

Play as you describe is not normal. The only thing that keeps that bearing from having play is zero clearance or very slight preload created by the rag joint on the bottom of the shaft. What you need to do is loosen the clamp at the bottom of the shaft and slide the shaft further towards the steering box until the play is gone. Tighten clamp. This makes it sound easier than it actually is to do but you will be pleased with the outcome.

[vlados2002]

Play as you describe is not normal. The only thing that keeps that bearing from having play is zero clearance or very slight preload created by the rag joint on the bottom of the shaft. What you need to do is loosen the clamp at the bottom of the shaft and slide the shaft further towards the steering box until the play is gone. Tighten clamp. This makes it sound easier than it actually is to do but you will be pleased with the outcome.

Can you tell me what number on the diagram is the clamp that needs to be loosened?

thanks

[BillWilliams]

Getting old

[Lorin]

Part # 5.

[vlados2002]

Part # 5.

THANKS

[c.d.iesel]

that much SIDE-TO-SIDE is very bad

and I would not drive it untill the cause is corrected!

loosing the coupling between the column and steering gearbox

might KILL YOU! - but there might be other 'history' issues

with this car - Dig into it and locate the cause - please

[vlados2002]

that much SIDE-TO-SIDE is very bad

and I would not drive it untill the cause is corrected!

loosing the coupling between the column and steering gearbox

might KILL YOU! - but there might be other 'history' issues

with this car - Dig into it and locate the cause - please

Thanks for your advice. Coupling is labeled #4 in the picture?

[c.d.iesel]

..."Coupling is labeled #4 in the picture?" = yes

easy to see from above

and if you follow the trace line through

all the steering column components,

up to the top, you'll also see the top

supporting bearing for the column.

That column should have ZERO side-to-side

wiggle when holding the steering wheel

and trying to move it from 9-0clock to 3-0clock -

side to side - ZERO PLAY.

Same way you would grasp your wheels and try to wiggle

9 to 3-0clock, and grasping top and bottom and trying to wiggle

12 - 6-oclock. Front wheel bearings might have 1-2 mm play,

but your steering column should be -=0=- movement

[roadhog0]

Or you can be like me, you can have what feels like play in your steering wheel but just have mushy tires, my tires are real mushy so I have a fair amount of back and forth play even with all new ball joints, adjusted steering box etc.

[Lorin]

AAAAHHH!!! The sky is falling! This is not a big deal or a major safety issue so dont worry . The last 3 '02s i have purchased have had this situation, the fix is still in post #3.

[Guest Anonymous]

Wow 1/8 th inch is good. But if it is an issue check your idler arm bushings. See if they allow the idler arm to move within the bearings themselves.

Holy Toledo!

If 1/8" is good, does that mean 1/4" is 2x as good? lol