Hey guys,

I just picked up a 00 Honda Civic coupe. While driving the car (and even while stopped) the steering wheel has A LOT of play -- particularly at center. Before I bought the car, I took it to a local shop to have them look it over. Their report to me was that the steering rack and the suspension (ball joints, tie rods etc) was a-ok. What could be causing this excessive play? I've included a link to a video that might help explain the situation better.


Thanks for your input! I'm all ears!

 

For the 96-00 Civics:

 

Your video does not play.

What TomCat posted is for manual steering. If you have power steering (LX or EX model), the engine must be running during the rotational play test. It is normal for the wheel to be loose when the power steering is not working because the engine is stopped. If the power steering system is broken or disabled it will be loose all the time.

 

Thank you for telling me. The video link should be fixed now.

My Civic is an HX model with power steering.

 

The Adjustment shown in the manual is still present on power steering.

 

I just tried this last weekend if you have a bad rack and it's whining with all the tall tells it most likely won't work for you either. Don't try just changing the inner tie rods either. Mine will even pop when I'm rolling backwards in neutral, and whine when I'm making a left turn, along with the play in the wheel. I recommend just replacing the whole rack. Now I gotta get down their twice.

 

Appreciate all the suggestions, fellas. Haven't had the chance to get down and make any adjustments yet, but hopefully I'll have some time this weekend.

Any ideas why the steering column doesn't lock though? Will I have to replace the whole steering column to get this feature to work again? If so (and silly question perhaps), but are junkyard steering columns even safe to use? I would think that if a steering column has sat outside in a pick-n-pull yard for a while that the metal might start to corrode, and if it snaps on you while you're on the highway, you're pretty much phucked.

It's rained A LOT recently, which is why that question is even swirling in my mind lol

As I said in the video, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if someone at some point was being rough with ignition switch and steering column. Plus all the windows have tint on them except the driver's window, which is aftermarket glass. Hmmm....