Process for testing steering play?

[LateFan]

RE: '86 ES coupe

What steps can I use to test the whole steering system for play or slop?

We've got some on-center "rattling" or clunking noise that you can feel and hear in the wheel as you drive. We've replaced all tie rods and ball joints and rebuilt the front suspension with new control arms and bushings. Alignment is good.

Steering play can be in soft tires, the tie rods, the steering rack / hydraulics, the U-joint at the rack, the swivel joint in the shaft, and up at the wheel connection itself(?).

What's a simple accurate way to see what's loose? I want to find out if it's unsafe, or just annoying, and how to eliminate it.

I have read some info that there was a recall at one time and the joint in the steering shaft was modified - this one may have that.

[acolella76]

If the play is coming from the steering shaft you should be able to see it if you get under the car and have someone shake the wheel.

Otherwise the easiest way I've found is by lifting one side and shaking that front wheel. Switch to the other side if you don't hear anything. Basically just get in there and shake stuff.

[LateFan]

That sounds smart.

Here's the joint in the shaft… those plates between sections seem kind of loose.


Different hardware than this ECS coupler or what I see on realoem.


Also found this with a reference to a Turner joint, and bad U-joint within the coupler..

http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=115709&page=2

EDIT - the Turner joint is for a newer car.