Steering Looseness (Is that a word?)
03-12-11, 10:00 PM
#16
I can enter the part numbers in the "Search by part number" box and it does come up. Their search really doesn't want the dash in the numbers though. It will discard it. Both 45516-50030 and 45516-50040 turned up the parts. HOWEVER, the only years listed are 2001, 02 & 03. There may have been a design change or the like after that.
It is so annoying on the highway, I might as well be driving a clapped out chevy (no offense to clapped out chevy lovers
)... it makes me want to sell it.Thanks guys for all the intel! I hope I can get my video posted to get some confirmation it is like yours...
03-12-11, 10:05 PM
#17
Tires can also be another reason a car wandering. I have no play in my steering, but when I changed my new BF Goodrich Touring TAs to Primacys it was like having front end work done. More precise handling. Don't forget that our cars steer like barges and will never steer like BMWs or a sports car.
fingers crossed Bon can confirm the diagnose once I figure how to post videos from my Crackberry... maybe not till Mon unless you guys have an e-mail address.
Thanks for all the help! I love this forum
03-13-11, 09:30 AM
#19
Viper. If you looked at the steering and front end and have found these bushings to be worn, I would go for it as these bushings can play a big part in sloppy steering. Good luck my friend.
Last edited by Bocatrip; 03-13-11 at 09:34 AM.
03-13-11, 10:13 AM
#20
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Thread Starter
If you are going to do the bushing replacement yourself then I have a few words of advice:
Be sure to mark the steering rack spines before you separate the rack from the steering column yoke. I'd recommend fingernail polish. If you get it back together just one spline off you'll have a crooked steering wheel.
Remove the bolt that keeps the steering rack splines attached to the steering yoke universal joint. You will want to rotate the steering wheel about 90° from straight degrees right or left to make loosening the spline bolt easier. This bolt must be removed completely to allow the spline joint to separate.
Be careful not to rotate the steering wheel when things are apart because this can lead to breaking the spiral coil in the steering column; an expensive mistake.
When reattaching the rack to the steering column align the splines exactly as they were before disassembly then slip the bolt into the clamp to keep the rack from falling off of the splines.
Be sure to mark the steering rack spines before you separate the rack from the steering column yoke. I'd recommend fingernail polish. If you get it back together just one spline off you'll have a crooked steering wheel.
Remove the bolt that keeps the steering rack splines attached to the steering yoke universal joint. You will want to rotate the steering wheel about 90° from straight degrees right or left to make loosening the spline bolt easier. This bolt must be removed completely to allow the spline joint to separate.
Be careful not to rotate the steering wheel when things are apart because this can lead to breaking the spiral coil in the steering column; an expensive mistake.
When reattaching the rack to the steering column align the splines exactly as they were before disassembly then slip the bolt into the clamp to keep the rack from falling off of the splines.
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usedname (08-28-23)
03-14-11, 09:15 AM
#21
If you are going to do the bushing replacement yourself then I have a few words of advice:
Be sure to mark the steering rack spines before you separate the rack from the steering column yoke. I'd recommend fingernail polish. If you get it back together just one spline off you'll have a crooked steering wheel.
Remove the bolt that keeps the steering rack splines attached to the steering yoke universal joint. You will want to rotate the steering wheel about 90° from straight degrees right or left to make loosening the spline bolt easier. This bolt must be removed completely to allow the spline joint to separate.
Be careful not to rotate the steering wheel when things are apart because this can lead to breaking the spiral coil in the steering column; an expensive mistake.
When reattaching the rack to the steering column align the splines exactly as they were before disassembly then slip the bolt into the clamp to keep the rack from falling off of the splines.
Be sure to mark the steering rack spines before you separate the rack from the steering column yoke. I'd recommend fingernail polish. If you get it back together just one spline off you'll have a crooked steering wheel.
Remove the bolt that keeps the steering rack splines attached to the steering yoke universal joint. You will want to rotate the steering wheel about 90° from straight degrees right or left to make loosening the spline bolt easier. This bolt must be removed completely to allow the spline joint to separate.
Be careful not to rotate the steering wheel when things are apart because this can lead to breaking the spiral coil in the steering column; an expensive mistake.
When reattaching the rack to the steering column align the splines exactly as they were before disassembly then slip the bolt into the clamp to keep the rack from falling off of the splines.
Awesome advice and thanks to all for the encouragement. I will order the parts from Sewell ($110) and post Youtube vidoes of before and after if it fixes the wander. I'll keep you guys posted when done and available... the before shows side to side movement of 3-5MM at this bushing when wheel rocked by the wife, so it is worth a try.
I also noted there was gearbox free play as well... manUal says 30MM measured at the steering wheel is max... I did not measure but I think it may exceed that spec as well. My Honda specs 10MM at the steering wheel before they say adjustment of the steering rack guide is necessary. I'll measure this on the Lex and adjust to bring in spec if out. Not sure if this is part of my wandering problem, but I'm pretty sure it isn't helping matters.
More to follow...
Last edited by Viper6; 03-14-11 at 08:37 PM.
03-14-11, 08:33 PM
#22
Before
Posted before shots (This was done on smooth cement floor... so maybe not as much movement as if it were on pavement... so it still seems like a lot to me.):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0HntYGpVFI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSeYGB2N95A
and the steering box freeplay here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0j4VsM_gBjo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0HntYGpVFI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSeYGB2N95A
and the steering box freeplay here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0j4VsM_gBjo
Last edited by Viper6; 03-14-11 at 08:36 PM.
03-14-11, 08:48 PM
#23
Thanks... it's like the steering inputs from the road surface load up and then release with the car trying to dart off line, and you counter it with progressive steering wheel movement that loads up and releases more correction than you wanted... vicious cycle made worse by head winds and truck turbulence. Frustrating detractor from the Lex experience. I hope this bushing swap fixes it and others can do it for their rides... I'm cautiously optimistic.
03-15-11, 01:40 AM
#24
Advanced
Thread Starter
Your video of the rack moving looks exactly like mine did. Now that I have the new bushings I need to repeat the test and see how the rack moves now. I'm sure that you're on the right track.
03-16-11, 12:55 AM
#25
Pole Position
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Viper6, thanks for such a dedication and detailed inputs...
I have already order the bushings by the dealer and will change them myself...such a movement on the rack definitely doesn't seem right and I also have a very shaky/loose steering feeling for some time now…
I also hope that the bushings will sort this out…
I have already order the bushings by the dealer and will change them myself...such a movement on the rack definitely doesn't seem right and I also have a very shaky/loose steering feeling for some time now…
I also hope that the bushings will sort this out…
03-16-11, 01:02 PM
#26
Racer
Viper, for sure thats far to much play ..... This may help me get my steering fixed. Thanks
I really hope it helps you and me. If I can't fix my steering, I will be selling the car. Its my only issue, but its gotta be fixed for me to want to keep the car.
Keep us all posted, and thanks again.
I really hope it helps you and me. If I can't fix my steering, I will be selling the car. Its my only issue, but its gotta be fixed for me to want to keep the car.
Keep us all posted, and thanks again.
03-23-11, 03:41 PM
#28
Update...fix in process
I needed to check with dealer first to see if they would address this under CPO... they said it was "normal" and compared to others in the shop, so they declined to do so, could not replace but the entire rack on an 05 and it would not fix my symptoms. Now that formality is over with, I am ordering the parts tonight and will take pics of the install and pics of movement after install for comparison. If parts come in time, I'll shoot to accomplish this weekend. Stay tuned.
03-25-11, 08:33 AM
#29
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I just had this done to my car. The bushings were quite expensive here in Finland, 250 eur (about $300) for just the parts at the dealer. I had them changed at an independent shop.
But holy cow, that was money well spent - the difference in both stability and on-center steering feel is night and day! Before the job, the car was wandering badly on the highway, any road surface irregularities or wind would greatly affect the direction of the car. Now it's like a completely different car, with Shinkansen train like directional stability.
I wholeheartedly agree with the earlier post saying that these should be a regular maintenance item. I used not to be able to drive the car on the highway with just one hand on the steering wheel before because it was wandering so much. But all of it is gone, my ride is perfect now. Yay!!
But holy cow, that was money well spent - the difference in both stability and on-center steering feel is night and day! Before the job, the car was wandering badly on the highway, any road surface irregularities or wind would greatly affect the direction of the car. Now it's like a completely different car, with Shinkansen train like directional stability.
I wholeheartedly agree with the earlier post saying that these should be a regular maintenance item. I used not to be able to drive the car on the highway with just one hand on the steering wheel before because it was wandering so much. But all of it is gone, my ride is perfect now. Yay!!
03-25-11, 10:19 AM
#30
Racer
Just called my mechanic friend to see how much he can get the bushings for. Plan to get mine done within a week! My wanders a bit but it was never unbearable. I have an 01 so i'd say it's due.