Play in the steering wheel

wapolo3 · Post by **wapolo3** » Mon May 07, 2007 11:02 am

Hey Mark

I have an 83 spider, with 44k. There is a little play in the wheel and I would like to tighten it up. There is no drift at speed and it tracks great, just the slop in the wheel. How do I fix that?

HOLLYWOODSPIDER · Post by **HOLLYWOODSPIDER** » Mon May 07, 2007 12:46 pm

Raise the front end up on jackstands so both front wheels are completely off the ground. Do not attempt this with the wheels on the ground.

Under the hood, find the steering box under the brake booster. On the top side, there's a slotted adjusting screw held tight by a lock nut at the base.

Loosen the locknut, adjust the screw (not too tight!) and retighten the locknut. Since you're in there, it's a good time to add some grease to the steering box. The grease goes in where the other, non-locknutted bolt on the top of the gearbox is. Drop the car down and see how it steers.

I had to do mine twice, as it was too tight the first time. It only takes a few minutes, but clearances are tight in there.

If you don't have a Haynes manual for your car, get one. They're only $22, and they detail all regular maintenance procedures such as this. They're written for the non-mechanic end consumer with step-by-step instructions and many photos. Way more comprehensive and user friendly than a Chilton book. Throw in a factory shop manual and you'll have all you need to do practically anything to your car.

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Mon May 07, 2007 1:16 pm

before adjusting the preload in the gear box, I'd check the front suspension and steering linkage for any looseness.
Since it's an 83, does it have rack and pinion?

wapolo3 · Post by **wapolo3** » Mon May 07, 2007 4:18 pm

Thanks for that info. I'll give that a try. I thought the rack and pinion was 85 and on, but I'll check. Is this something I need to do like every 30k or so?

Shane124 · Post by **Shane124** » Tue May 08, 2007 9:14 pm

does it really matter if you do this? I only ask becaue I have some play in the wheel and I kinda like it. Will not fixing this cause any problems?

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Wed May 09, 2007 12:42 am

why on earth would you like play in the steering?

pertyfly · Post by **pertyfly** » Wed May 09, 2007 1:04 am

I was wondering the exact same thing. Looseness in the wheel causes nothing but problems.

The Magic Fiat · Post by **The Magic Fiat** » Wed May 09, 2007 12:40 pm

My uncle had a Model A Ford with so much play in the wheel that it looked like he was negotiating a winding mountain road just going down the driveway.

He didn't keep it long, he was always buying old clunkers for $20 to $30, it was right after the war.

I didn't see it, but my dad said it was pretty funny to watch him drive it.

Neil

Shane124 · Post by **Shane124** » Wed May 09, 2007 5:08 pm

I don't know why I like it. I'm only seventeen and have only driven a few cars and like the way the fiat drives the most. I just don't want to changwe something then it feel different.

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Wed May 09, 2007 8:49 pm

look at play in the steering from the other end; when you're holding the wheel steady, the front wheels on the car are able to change direction. Bad for precise handling, bad for tire wear and fuel mileage