Loose Steering...All Because Of...A...

[Armored_Saint]

round corrugated plastic bushing located within the insides of the steering shaft!

 

My car steering started feeling unusually loose after last weekend ride to M'sia. In the first half hour of inspection at the workshop, nothing at the steering linkages or rack turned up suspicious. I told them how I strongly suspected a problem at the shaft area...you know it because of the feeling you get when you start making turns and such.

 

The steering wheel was removed, the column dismantled and shaft stripped to its barest. There inside lay a cone like plastic bushing with a small round corrugated plastic bushing inside. The latter, used to provide a firm support between the two connecting shaft rods, had broken into pieces. Looked like wear and tear to me.

 

We knew quite instantly the chances of getting such an minute alien part would be remote. The problem was solved by stuffing 4 rubber O-rings to act as the support.

 

The steering is now back at its original firmness, with very little clunking when going over rough roads. Hope this improvisation can last.

 

Thought I'd share this experience as another possible cause of slippery and loose steering!

[Protoss38]

Thks for sharing.

 

Very good infor.

[Konspire]

wow...that was a close one. glad u r safe back....

[Armored_Saint]

What can I say? I'd like to think steering columns are durable and can last the life of a car (notwithstanding accidents which create an impact, of course).

 

But looking at how the column/shaft assembly, I couldn't help but feel there might have been a better way of constructing it. Lots of plastic bits and pieces in there.

 

[Saaber]

....good field repair....

[Gadgeter]

thanks for sharing....

 

Next thing do try to take some photo..

[Sky8807]

I had encountered that many years back on a Madza 323.

The parts, if available is cheap.

[Armored_Saint]

Yes, a plastic ring bush shouldn't cost much...probably in the cents region. The improvised rubber seals now inside, however, are working just as fine.

[Armored_Saint]

It's almost a year and now the loose steering problem is revisited. The stop-gap measure of using rubber o-seals to provide the cushion and support is defeated - the seals have dislodged!

 

The pictures speak for themselves. Good thing I managed to find a second-hand steering shaft assembly.

Edited February 14, 2004 by Armored_Saint

[Gadgeter]

Thanks for the picture.