play/movement in steering wheel

[brett84]

I'm taking the car for a suspension setup (finally) at Willow in the near future but wanted to sort a couple things out first. I've got movement/play in the steering wheel, quite a bit, feels loosish when turned before actually turning the wheels. and if stationary i can just move wheel left/right freely by what i think is quite a bit.
any ideas what might be causing this or what i could replace?

[kevin63]

First check would be the universal joints on the steering colum (in the drivers side wheel arch), nip them up or replace if they're worn, then if not those it could be the ball joints.

[brett84]

Thanks, i'll have a check on the UJs, how can I tell if they are knackered? Just visual inspection?

[kevin63]

You'll know, if there is any slack then they're knackered. I have had one be loose on the spline before and it just needed tightening up, but that was when the car was new, any slack anywhere else is not good. If they're ok then grease them up while you're there, as they are prone to everything the road can throw at them.

[phazed]

Is it a P/S or manual?

[brett84]

none PS, 1993 model

[phazed]

Column joints as stated,
Track rod ends,
Track rod to rack coupling,
Play in rack,
Play in column.

[brett84]

thanks
i'll check it out next weekend.
need to get the handling sorted out as it's pretty bad. Handling and brakes first, engine mods after

[brett84]

Sorted this today

It did just need tightening up, actual part names I don't know - so, there is a section of straight tube in the wheel arch with splines at both ends, the knuckles at both ends just needed tightening up. They were just loose enough to not fully clamp on the splines causing the play.
It is so much better than it's ever been now

[kevin63]

They are your steering universal joints, commonly known as UJ's
It's always nice when you can sort problems out for free