Steering play/not returning to center

[KieWhitehouse90]

Hello, I've been doing some searching for my problems with my steering and haven't quite found a solution/explanation for my awful steering problems.

The problems -

The other day i took it for a drive round the block for the first time in months after I've finished putting the thing back together.

The steering has awful play(i have to turn the wheel about a quarter turn before the wheels start to turn too)
It will not correct itself at all (if i turn one direction and let go of the wheel it will go in a circle until i correct it)
And also, any sort of acceleration pulls the car to one side (whichever direction i last turned)

I have recently changed to D2 coilovers, I've lowered it to leave about an inch gap between the tires and the wings.
I have changed all the suspension arms because all the ball joints before were no good.
Replaced drop links.
Replaced hubs/bearings.
And also the track rods and ends too.

I've been to my local garage and had the alignment done, and it hasn't helped at all in fixing my problems.
My first thought was the camber being out, but after reading other threads it doesn't seem negative camber would cause all these problems, just cause some nasty tire wear/some stiffness

Sorry to make this post so ridiculously long, any help would be appreciated, as most garages won't touch the car here being an import.

Thanks !

 

[And_44]

I have a kinda similar problem with mine but the movement is probally like a half inch before any movement is noticed.

My right outer tie rod is bad along with the sway bar link. The link is really, really bad.

Only thing wrong with my steering system/suspension though that I can find that would effect steering.

 

[PieEyedPiper]

Can you post up your alignment sheet?
I know you said the parts are all new, but is there any play in the tie rods? If the car is on the ground do the wheels turn with the steering wheel or is there a lot of slop in the steering wheel before you see the tires start to move? You mentioned this in your description but I was unclear whether the wheels just aren't turning when you use the steering wheel or whether the car doesn't respond to input the way you'd expect.

Do you have any reason to suspect damage to the rack? How's the fluid level? Any leaks?

 

[KieWhitehouse90]

I don't have an alignment sheet sorry.
When i said 'alignment' all i mean by that is, adjusting the track rods so the wheels are the same distance apart as the rear.
Atleast thats all i think was done. Afterwards, if there was any difference at all, the car drives slightly better in a straight line then before, but thats all, if anything.
I'm thinking there might be an issue with the rack, although the fluid level is fine, there are no leaks whatsoever.

And yes, i mean slop in the steering wheel before the wheels start to react and move.

BUT when on axle stands, a lot of this 'sloppyness' goes away. Atleast 50% of it anyway..
Is there any chance i have overtightened much of the suspension/ball joints?

 

[TSiAWD666]

I've had steering play problems for a few years now. I had I want to say about an inch of travel before I could feel steering take effect between directions.

I had my ball joints and tie rod ends looked at since I saw no issues, and a shop agreed they were fine. I had a shop adjust the pinion torque on my rack and initially the play disappeared and was great, but within 25 miles it reverted to the original play.

The only resolution I had that has stuck for a while was replacing the rack. I went with a remanufactured rack which might not have been ideal, but since I wasn't sure it would solve the problem I didn't want to gamble on a new OEM rack for over $800. The replacement rack reduced the steering play greatly to the point that I can tolerate it, but it is not perfect. Other might not notice it but I do road racing and steering response is extremely important to me and I'm pretty picky I guess. I wonder if a completely new OEM rack will resolve the issue entirely but for now will continue with this one.

I can't say what is preventing your steering from centering as I haven't tried to troubleshoot that before. I would have guessed tie rod ends but you said you checked those.

 

[KieWhitehouse90]

I'm hoping i don't have to try with replacing a rack, it costs a lot for you in the states, to get one here in the UK would well.. i don't even want to begin trying to price that...

I will definitely keep it in mind though, maybe i can find somebody here who can refurbish this one.

Did/do you also get some extra vibrations when over say.. 60mph or so?
Much more vibrations that should be there.

 

[TSiAWD666]

Sorry for the lack of response as I didn't subscribe to this thread.

I did not get vibrations at any speed that I can recall. The car drove fine generally other than the play, and the alignment held true.

 

[LxiMax]

I also have a problem with this. My alignment is dead on in every category, yet when driving down the road it veers to therright. The weird thing is that when you turn the wheel to the right, it doesn't come back to the center. If you turn the wheel left, it comes back to the center, then slowly starts to veer to the right. I'm think some seals may be gone in the rack but I'm not sure.

 

[ed1380]

I'm having the same problem now. I picked it up to factory height and installed the original upper control arm pivots. It was lowered an inch and had the ingralls camber kit and everything was fine. It tracks straight, but more than 1/2 revolution either right or left and it pulls to lock the steering in that direction.