Dead zone in steering

[gverelli]

^^Think I may have that issue, I replaced everything and still have play in the wheel

[glucklich21]

Yeah I'm getting a whole new assembly when I pull the engine.

[Turd]

Tighten up your rack/pinion tolerance. Check bushing. Check all joints for slop.

[glucklich21]

Well I discovered something. I should note it's only like this at certain angles the steering wheel is at.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQlkgMgXt8s

So everyone having this problem go see for yourself if yours is doing this as well.

[blefevre]

One more idea: what about where the rack mounts to the chassis. Anything broken / worn there>?

I will check them when I check the flex disc and all that.

[Sagaris]

One more idea: what about where the rack mounts to the chassis. Anything broken / worn there>?

[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.

[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]

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

[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.

[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.

[glucklich21]

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

[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.

[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.

[N2MYE30]

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