AE86 non-power steering problem

[andee17]

Hi I have a problem with the steering on my 1983 ae86 levin, the car has a manual non power steering rack.

My problem is I have alot of play in the steering wheel, its very slack and feels very sloppy. When I get to about 60mph it develops alot of wheel wobble. I have changed the inner and outer track arms but the play is still there. I will be getting my wheels balanced on the weekend but it wont solve the issue of the loose feeling steering.

My question is do non-powersteering models suffer from this issue after time, if so what can I do to fix it because im on my last nerve with this now.

Thanks

[fax0815]

Non powersteering racks are the best and normally dont go wrong!

Have you checked the U-joint between the steering coloum and the rack, the wear and give you some play.
If it aint the problem it might be play in the actual rack and pinion gears?
Had that before, when someone didnt change split gaiters, loads of dirt and water got in it and fuc*** everything!

How about tracking?

[jondee86]

Get someone to rock the steering wheel back and forth. Just enough
to take up the slack and "bump" the movement at either end of wheel
movement. You get underneath and see if the rack ends are moving
continuously with the wheel, or if just jerks in the opposite direction
each time the wheel takes up the slack.

If the rack does not move with the wheel, you have wear in the rack.

If the rack moves with the wheel, the problem is in one or more of the
inner/outer rod ends. You should be able to pick up where the motion
of the rack gets lost. Yeah, and check that universal the same way.

Cheers... jondee86