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  #1  
Old 05-16-2011, 02:10 PM
Frank Rizzo Frank Rizzo is offline
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Play on steering wheel

I've been having an issue with play on my steering wheel. Whenever the wheel is centered, I can move it ever so slightly in either direction before it starts to turn the wheels and I can feel it "grab". Does anyone know why this might be?

I recently had the rack and pinion replaced (not sure if it's related). Also, I had to replace my return hose due to a leak. When I did so, there was a kink in it and this was causing a weird grinding noise when the car was running. I fixed the kink with an extra hose clamp and the noise went away, but this problem persists.

Is it possible I got air in the system and that's what's causing the steering to be loose?

Thanks in advance.
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  #2  
Old 05-16-2011, 02:34 PM
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Hocrest Hocrest is offline
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Re: Play on steering wheel

There are 2 clamps that hold the rack to the subframe. Either they didn't replace the bushings with new and they are worn out, or they didn't tighten those clamps properly.
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Old 05-16-2011, 02:53 PM
92snowmachine 92snowmachine is offline
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Re: Play on steering wheel

did you replace the inner tie rods with the rack? if the bushings are tight and in good condition this could be an issue.

also, where did you get the rack?
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Old 05-16-2011, 03:14 PM
Frank Rizzo Frank Rizzo is offline
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Re: Play on steering wheel

Are the bushings hard to replace? I didn't replace the tie rods. I got the rack at Oreilly
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Old 05-16-2011, 03:36 PM
92snowmachine 92snowmachine is offline
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Re: Play on steering wheel

bushings are pretty easy to replace (a lot easier at same time as rack), might want to double check part numbers to make sure they didn't give you the wrong rack. i doubt they had one in stock so unless it took a week to get they might have mixed it up with another subaru rack. inner tie rod play tends to be more noticeable after installing a new rack for some reason.
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Old 05-17-2011, 03:56 PM
Frank Rizzo Frank Rizzo is offline
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Re: Play on steering wheel

Thank very much
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Old 05-21-2011, 02:00 PM
Frank Rizzo Frank Rizzo is offline
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Re: Play on steering wheel

I don't think it's the bushings. The steering completely broke today. The steering wheel turns independently of the front wheels, as if something got stripped. I hope the shop doesn't try to jerk me around on this...
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Old 05-21-2011, 02:18 PM
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Gloomy Gloomy is offline
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Re: Play on steering wheel

Could it be the universal joint from the steering column to the rack?
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Old 05-21-2011, 07:41 PM
XT6Wagon XT6Wagon is offline
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Re: Play on steering wheel

The SVX does use a rubber isolator in the steering system. More likely though that they forgot to tighten one of the connections and it fell apart.
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Old 05-22-2011, 12:53 PM
92snowmachine 92snowmachine is offline
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Re: Play on steering wheel

if you didn't already tow it somewhere you can tow it to house and i will help you fix it. i have a 3 car oversized garage and lots of tools. hate to see you throw hundreds of dollars at a problem that might not cost you anything. did you install the rack yourself?
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Old 05-23-2011, 04:15 PM
Frank Rizzo Frank Rizzo is offline
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Re: Play on steering wheel

Quote:
Originally Posted by 92snowmachine View Post
if you didn't already tow it somewhere you can tow it to house and i will help you fix it. i have a 3 car oversized garage and lots of tools. hate to see you throw hundreds of dollars at a problem that might not cost you anything. did you install the rack yourself?
Thanks, I really appreciate that offer. I'm going to try and hold the shop responsible since they install the rack and likely caused the problem. If they tell me they want to charge me for it I'm going to have it towed back home from the shop and attempt to fix it myself. Perhaps I'll take you up on the offer then and I'd be happy to pay you for your help...
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Old 05-23-2011, 04:30 PM
92snowmachine 92snowmachine is offline
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Re: Play on steering wheel

good luck makin them fix it for free. let me know if you end up needin help, no pay needed, i usually spend most nights and weekends workin on friends and family cars
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