Dead zone in steering

[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.

[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.

[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.

[blefevre]

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

[Holland]

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

[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?