sticky steering

[carrerarsr65]

howcan i figure out if the problem with the steering sticking mainly at the 12 o clock position is my steering rack or up by the steering wheel, if up by the s.wheel i see some guys have used the slip fit sleeve is this really a good way of fixxing that bearing problem in that area ? anyway thanks for any suggestions

[DRACO A5OG]

Try a search for scratchy/noisy steering wheel.

Just disconnect the horn fuse, remove wheel then take the contact and re-form the area that has worn down to a indention by using a angled pin tool and forming it up.

You see what you are feeling or hearing is the outer edge of the deformation rubbing against the plastic portion of the horn contact of the steering wheel.

The stickiness is caused by the vertical engraving of the contact because you car drive striaght most of the time which causes this affect.

Even if you replace the "WIPER SWITCH" aka horn switch, it return in a year or so. PAG job security for the dealer mechanics.

Jim

[Nickshu]

I would start by putting in the slip fit upper steering bushing (behind the wheel). It's cheap and easy to do.

Then if it persists you can start looking south from there at the u-joints in the steering linkage, the upper steering rack bearing, and then steering rack rebuild.

I just went thru this sequence with the same symptoms and ended up being my steering rack. Rebuilt with new bearings and replaced the upper rack shaft bearing too, as well as installed Turbo tie rods, and the steering feels like new!

[DRACO A5OG]

NIck, what do you think was the most significant swap/rebuild?

[Chuck.H]

I had a notch at the 12:00 position that I was SURE in the rack due to the 300k+ miles it had on it, but when I removed the rack and steering ujoints I was quite surprised to find the wheel STILL had the notchy feel!!! Turned out to be the lower column bearing went bad.

If you remove a few HVAC bits, you can remove the ujoint at the bottom of the steering wheel shaft - this will let you spin the steering wheel freely to check it.

HTH,
Chuck.H
'89 TurboLookTarga, 343k miles

[Nickshu]

Originally Posted by DRACO A5OG

NIck, what do you think was the most significant swap/rebuild?

The top bearing inside the steering rack (#1712 needle bearing) was dry as a bone, pitted and fell apart when I removed the shaft. Most likely the source of the "index" feeling. I expected the same from the steering rack shaft bearing (the one inside the smuggler's box) but it was actually pretty good, I replaced it anyway since I don't want to tear it apart for another 30 years. Once I had everything apart I found that my steering column bearings were smooth and quiet with no play (I do have the sleeve bearing at the steering wheel), and the U-joints on the linkage were in great shape too, so in the end everything was down inside the rack.

The turbo tie rods help smooth things out too, but the "index" feeling definitely came from inside the rack.

Cheers!

[Nickshu]

Originally Posted by Chuck.H

I had a notch at the 12:00 position that I was SURE in the rack due to the 300k+ miles it had on it, but when I removed the rack and steering ujoints I was quite surprised to find the wheel STILL had the notchy feel!!! Turned out to be the lower column bearing went bad.

If you remove a few HVAC bits, you can remove the ujoint at the bottom of the steering wheel shaft - this will let you spin the steering wheel freely to check it.

HTH,
Chuck.H
'89 TurboLookTarga, 343k miles

Good advice. I found mine was smooth as silk but I'd hate to rebuild the rack to find out that it's not the problem.

Bottom line for me is the car is about 30 years old so I would go thru it from top to bottom, get it squared away and don't worry about it ever again.

[brianlay]

Check the roller bearing on the shaft just above the steering rack. It's clamped in a rubber housing.