BLACK Z !

I was wondering if you could take the extra play out of the streeing wheel? I know th esteering box is adjustable but i am not sure how to adjust it and what the adjustment is for. Thanks

Error404

just how much play do you have?

I had ALOT of play (like almost 3 inches), but I came to find out that my steering gears had really had it. them replaced, and I'm down to about 1 inch of play.

what is normal play? I'd like to know how to take out a chunk of that 1 inch play myself!

KnightRider350

I haD about two inches of play in my steering wheel, with shot ball joints and tie rods and such... once those were fixed, I had about a solid inch. All the third gen's I've ever driven have had that inch to two inches...

A "wonderbar" brace will tighten that up I've been told. You can find them in lots of places... http://www.topdownsolutions.com/ has them I think?

BLACK Z !

I have the wonder bar, I have probably a 1 or 2 inches i am not real sure, my friends 85 z28 with a close ratio gear box was real tight.

stk350

I was about ready to ask this question. My 87 IROC has about 2-3 inches of play. Man, I never really paid any attention to it untill I drove my parents 4th gen. No play there.

Zepher

There is a coupler on the steering shaft called a Rag Joint. That will wear out over time and it isn't too hard to replace, just need to drill out the rivets. Rag Joint is about $4.00 at Advance or Autzone.

Bad center link or idler arm can cause play in the wheel.

Pro

TPIs have a different gear box, right?

Zepher

Nope, TPI doesn't determine the steering box type.
Suspension trim does.

90rocz

You have to have "some" play or else you'll be constantly correcting and steering all the way down the road. I'd say close to 2" is fairly normal.
I like MOOG replacement parts, they're beefier than most.

TPI doesn't determine steering, but most Z28 packages used "quick ratio" steering.

Error404

yes, the Z28 package has different steering gears, I just replaced mine

2 inches of play is normal? really? wow, I must be doing good then, I got about 1 inch. (and for some reason, with my new steering wheel, the play seems like got just a tad bit less, though the wheel is only 1/2 inch smaller)

BLACK Z !

How do you check the rag joint?

Z28SORR

After you have checked all the other suspension parts, pitman arm, idler arm, relay rod, ball joints, rag joint, etc, etc.

Then, on top of the gear box is a nut and bolt with a slot in it. This is the adjuster. Simply loosen the jam nut and turn the bolt in or out as required, and retighten the jam nut. Do not over tighten the bolt. This will cause premature ware of the box internals.

Damon

Yeah- agreed with above post.

Also, may people forget to check their wheel bearings. If they're loose or worn out you'll also have play in there. They should be adjusted BY HAND ONLY and just tight enough that you feel the nut just begin to tighten down on the bearings. You'll feel it through your finger tips- very light torque. Shove the cotter pin through right there if it lines up. Otherwise, back it off a tiny fraction of a turn until it line up with one of the two cotter pin holes. You'll never be more than 1/2 of a castle away from lining up on one of the 2 cotter pin holes.

Play is more than just one thing- it's the sum total of all the slop in all the suspension/steering parts. Almost any car this old has got at least one worn out suspension/steering part somewhere- guaranteed.