Steering wheel play....please help.
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Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Dec 2009
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Steering wheel play....please help.
Whats up everyone, Mike here. Ive got a 2000 civic coupe DX, that I just recently bought. The steering wheel has a good amount of play in it. Especially at highway speeds. The guy that I bought it off told me he recently replaced the power steering pump. Is it possible to have air in the lines? I can move the wheel about 2-3 inches either way before it grabs. Any and all help is appreciated. Thanks
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Joined: Apr 2002
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From: I am Tyson
Re: Steering wheel play....please help.
fluid shouldnt make a difference of play.
take off the steering column cover between the pedals. turn the steering wheel so you can see the pinch bolt to the U joint. check if it is loose. probably is.
you can also adjust the pinion gear at the outside of the steering rack. you need a VERY large wrench or channel lock pliers to loosen then retighten the spring washer. it will take several tries to get the feeling right.
otherwise, check for play in the balljoints and tie rods.
take off the steering column cover between the pedals. turn the steering wheel so you can see the pinch bolt to the U joint. check if it is loose. probably is.
you can also adjust the pinion gear at the outside of the steering rack. you need a VERY large wrench or channel lock pliers to loosen then retighten the spring washer. it will take several tries to get the feeling right.
otherwise, check for play in the balljoints and tie rods.
Thread Starter
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
Re: Steering wheel play....please help.
fluid shouldnt make a difference of play.
take off the steering column cover between the pedals. turn the steering wheel so you can see the pinch bolt to the U joint. check if it is loose. probably is.
you can also adjust the pinion gear at the outside of the steering rack. you need a VERY large wrench or channel lock pliers to loosen then retighten the spring washer. it will take several tries to get the feeling right.
otherwise, check for play in the balljoints and tie rods.
take off the steering column cover between the pedals. turn the steering wheel so you can see the pinch bolt to the U joint. check if it is loose. probably is.
you can also adjust the pinion gear at the outside of the steering rack. you need a VERY large wrench or channel lock pliers to loosen then retighten the spring washer. it will take several tries to get the feeling right.
otherwise, check for play in the balljoints and tie rods.
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,134
Likes: 1
From: FL
Re: Steering wheel play....please help.
I've noticed that I have a very similar problem...
Steering wheel appears to have a little bit of play. Last night while braking and changing lanes to the right (getting on an interstate offramp) my steering wheel had some rattling and chatter. I had gotten so used to the play in the steering wheel that I dismissed it as nothing until last night when it shook like crazy for the first time ever.
The steering wheel also always pulls slightly to the right. The rotors, pads, lower ball joints, outer tie rod ends, axles, wheels, tires have all been replaced recently (not exactly when this started) and I have had an alignment in the past month also.
I am guessing that the problem last night could be attributed to the steering wheel play.
My question to you, Tyson is:
are these the bolts on the U-joint that you are referring to possibly being loose?
(92-95 Civic diagram)
Forgive me if this isn't even the U-joint... i'm familiar with most things on my car but for the most part, not the steering column and rack.
Steering wheel appears to have a little bit of play. Last night while braking and changing lanes to the right (getting on an interstate offramp) my steering wheel had some rattling and chatter. I had gotten so used to the play in the steering wheel that I dismissed it as nothing until last night when it shook like crazy for the first time ever.
The steering wheel also always pulls slightly to the right. The rotors, pads, lower ball joints, outer tie rod ends, axles, wheels, tires have all been replaced recently (not exactly when this started) and I have had an alignment in the past month also.
I am guessing that the problem last night could be attributed to the steering wheel play.
My question to you, Tyson is:
are these the bolts on the U-joint that you are referring to possibly being loose?
(92-95 Civic diagram)
Forgive me if this isn't even the U-joint... i'm familiar with most things on my car but for the most part, not the steering column and rack.
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