Major steering wheel wobble after aluminum steering bushing install - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

bigjacsoc · 08-07-2009, 08:09 PM

Video:

http://s266.photobucket.com/albums/i...t=100_1376.flv

I installed an aluminum steering bushing (the one that goes in the firewall) along with Energy Suspension rack bushings. The rack bushings went in smooth because I had the engine out and replaced the rack with one that isn't cracked. I got it all bolted up and checked that the knuckle where the column meets the rack had the bolts perfectly centered where they would pass in between the 2 sets of splines smooth.

I turned the passenger side wheel to make sure it was all good, and first I notice that the steering wheel is wobbling like crazy up and down, and after that I noticed that the part that sticks off the rack and has the splines was moving back and forth and is causing the whole rack to rotate inside the bushings.

After this I took the upper bolt that holds the column splines in place and turned the wheel and saw that the splines were sliding in and out of the knuckle and also that it looked as though the column wasn't going in a straight line from the steering wheel and is slightly crooked.

Anyway, has anyone done this aluminum bushing install and had this problem? If you have and this didn't happen please let me know. My motor is going in on Monday and pretty much NEED to get this resolved before then because of the lack of space to operate with the motor in. If you have not experienced this problem I will have to take the column out and see if I put one of the 4 little metal bushings crooked when putting them into the bushings.

Also I can get a video if you cannot understand the situation.

All help is appreciated, thank you.

bigjacsoc · 08-07-2009, 08:16 PM

Cliff Notes:

I installed an aluminum steering bushing and now my steering wheel wobbles horrible and the splines move in and out of the knuckle on my rack. Is the column crooked, or does it just do that?

***FaLKoN240*** · 08-08-2009, 12:04 AM

You used the aluminum rings that were originally on the rubber spacer?

Did you make sure to tighten down the bolt that clamps the splines to the rack?

I had a little wobble on mine for some reason. I wish I could be of more help, but I got rid of my car a while ago.

kalypso123 · 08-27-2009, 03:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigjacsoc

Cliff Notes:

I installed an aluminum steering bushing and now my steering wheel wobbles horrible and the splines move in and out of the knuckle on my rack. Is the column crooked, or does it just do that?

love the cliff notes... perfect

khoadogg · 09-11-2009, 10:08 AM

solved? I forgot to put in the metal "batman" things on the spacer but it's hard to remove it and reinstall it

08-07-2009, 08:09 PM	#1
bigjacsoc Zilvia Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Woodstock, GA Age: 33 Posts: 166 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Major steering wheel wobble after aluminum steering bushing install Video: http://s266.photobucket.com/albums/i...t=100_1376.flv I installed an aluminum steering bushing (the one that goes in the firewall) along with Energy Suspension rack bushings. The rack bushings went in smooth because I had the engine out and replaced the rack with one that isn't cracked. I got it all bolted up and checked that the knuckle where the column meets the rack had the bolts perfectly centered where they would pass in between the 2 sets of splines smooth. I turned the passenger side wheel to make sure it was all good, and first I notice that the steering wheel is wobbling like crazy up and down, and after that I noticed that the part that sticks off the rack and has the splines was moving back and forth and is causing the whole rack to rotate inside the bushings. After this I took the upper bolt that holds the column splines in place and turned the wheel and saw that the splines were sliding in and out of the knuckle and also that it looked as though the column wasn't going in a straight line from the steering wheel and is slightly crooked. Anyway, has anyone done this aluminum bushing install and had this problem? If you have and this didn't happen please let me know. My motor is going in on Monday and pretty much NEED to get this resolved before then because of the lack of space to operate with the motor in. If you have not experienced this problem I will have to take the column out and see if I put one of the 4 little metal bushings crooked when putting them into the bushings. Also I can get a video if you cannot understand the situation. All help is appreciated, thank you. Last edited by bigjacsoc; 08-07-2009 at 10:26 PM..

08-08-2009, 12:04 AM	#3
*FaLKoN240* Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: SoCal Temecula Posts: 16,885 Trader Rating: (73) Feedback Score: 73 reviews	You used the aluminum rings that were originally on the rubber spacer? Did you make sure to tighten down the bolt that clamps the splines to the rack? I had a little wobble on mine for some reason. I wish I could be of more help, but I got rid of my car a while ago. __________________ Best way to do business with me? Make your best offer FIRST.

09-11-2009, 10:08 AM	#5
khoadogg Nissanaholic! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Age: 40 Posts: 2,423 Trader Rating: (11) Feedback Score: 11 reviews	solved? I forgot to put in the metal "batman" things on the spacer but it's hard to remove it and reinstall it __________________ AIM SoarinStrong[B]STRONG 6iX[B] RB single turbo ///Work AMKREAD 180sx

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08-07-2009, 08:16 PM	#2
bigjacsoc Zilvia Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Woodstock, GA Age: 33 Posts: 166 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Cliff Notes: I installed an aluminum steering bushing and now my steering wheel wobbles horrible and the splines move in and out of the knuckle on my rack. Is the column crooked, or does it just do that?