Dead zone in steering

[blefevre]

I just can't find a solution to this, or anyone that has had the same experience.

My steering has a dead zone of about 45 degrees or so. What happens is sometimes during a sharp left turn the steering wheel will rotate about 45 degrees before the actual car starts to steer. At low turning speeds it sometimes isn't even noticeable. That is the basic problem. Pretty scary sometimes but I am pretty good at predicting it.

I have done new tires, alignment, CA, CA bushing, tie rods, tightened that big bolt by the pedals. Currently I run no PS due to a leak.

The easy answer is "your rack is bad". Has anyone had this experience with a rack. The car has 170k miles on it, 1990.

Is it possible that the flex disc in the steering column is so shot that it would cause this? Any thoughts?

[Holland]

Flex disc would be my first guess, pretty easy to check as well.

[blefevre]

Do I have to remove the rack to get the flex disc out?

[evilnickwong]

As far as I remember watching my mechanic do it, you don't. It's a pretty quick swap and the part is cheap too.

[CarsSuck]

I have a similar problem. I replaced all the suspension components as well and still have a dead spot and a shimmy. I think I may also have a poorly balanced wheel, as the shimmy doesnt pick up until 80 mph or so and the car tracks straight and true.

The problem isnt just the flex disk. There are two U-joints in the steering column. Mine feel pretty loose. I was quoted like $280 for the steering coupler at the dealer.

With the car jacked up, get under your car and grab the steering coupler where it meets the rack. Then have a friend wiggle the steering wheel. Should reveal where the slack is at.

[blefevre]

I have a similar problem. I replaced all the suspension components as well and still have a dead spot and a shimmy. I think I may also have a poorly balanced wheel, as the shimmy doesnt pick up until 80 mph or so and the car tracks straight and true.

The problem isnt just the flex disk. There are two U-joints in the steering column. Mine feel pretty loose. I was quoted like $280 for the steering coupler at the dealer.

With the car jacked up, get under your car and grab the steering coupler where it meets the rack. Then have a friend wiggle the steering wheel. Should reveal where the slack is at.

Well maybe I will have luck with the flex disc. I really hope I can do it without removing the rack though.

A slight difference with your problem...I have no shimmy. I have two sets of wheels/tires and have never had a shimmy or vibration with either sets, only the dead zone. Your shimmy is probably a wheel out of balance.

[N2MYE30]

I have about the same issue but im pretty sure its the rack gone bad.

[CarsSuck]

I have about the same issue but im pretty sure its the rack gone bad.

Well why do you think the rack is bad? Please share the details of your diagnosis.

[blefevre]

I don't understand how it would be the rack. If we assume a tooth sheared off the and assume the pinion can catch the next tooth it should only happen at one certain point. If the middle tooth on the rack is gone then the "dead zone" should be in the middle of the steering. If the very left tooths sheard off it should only happen at full lock.

At least in my case, it will happen at any steering angle. I can do full lock and still have the dead zone, wheel centered still has the dead zone, etc.

EDIT: It is important to note that I know what "sloppy steering" feels like and all that. This is an actual dead zone beyond just sloppy steering.

[glucklich21]

I have this same problem after refreshing my front end. It is down right dangerous at times.

[snowbrd83]

I just bought a new car last night. And its doing some of the same things. Driving around under 40 I dont notice it, but once I get up to 55+ it starts to have a small vibration as if a wheel weight is off. But then the car almost starts to wander and not drive straight. Its almost really twitchy and feels almost like the tie rods are not connected. Possibly the rack? Flex disc? Wheel bearings feel good. Car has after market springs( not sure what kind) camber plates, bilstien's, and nicer sways.

[Sagaris]

I feel like both your problem ^ and the OP's problem is worn control arm bushings. When you steer, slack is taken up in the sloppy bushings which does not contribute to an actual steering angle change on the tire+wheel. This slop in the bushing also allows the control arm to wiggle around on the freeway. It seems like a harmonics type thing because it happens only at a certain range of speeds. In either case, new control arm bushings fix theses things.

[blefevre]

My control arms, control arm bushings, tie rods, springs, spring pads, strut mounts, tires, wheels are all new within a year.

[Sagaris]

Assuming your car is an Airbag equipped car, do you think the collar nut on the steering column/steering shaft is loose? I dont think it would contribute much, if at all to a dead zone in the steering but I know mine was loose and would clunk/rattle over bumps and when steering. I thought my rack was worn because the clunking sound it made had me believing something was worn in the rack but I tightened it up and now that the sound is gone, my brain doesn't get fooled and the steering is jut fine. Just a thought.

[blefevre]

I have messed the collar nut. However, it was on there very tight so I only got maybe another 1/2 turn out of it. Unless there is a trick to tightening it? I don't get any clunks or rattles or vibrations, just the dead zone.