Technical Just a Couple of Questions

[Greggers]

Hi guys,

I've just got a couple of quick questions...

1) How much play in the steering rack should there be when you have both front wheels off the ground and then wiggle one of the wheels? I've replaced all of my front suspension parts (wishbone, struts, springs, drop-link etc) but I've got about half an inch of play at the steering arm which I'm concerned about. There's no play at the steering wheel at all.

2) I've got one of the MOST ANNOYING squeaks ever heard and I can't for the life of me track it down. One idea I have is that it might be one of my engine mounts. I took a picture (from the o/s wheel arch) so that you can see if you think that maybe it's failed.

I'm not sure if it's meant to look like that but I assumed that the bolt should line up with the access hole... no?

Cheers for any help you can give

 

[tenwierdufos]

to number 1

If its a modern car with a steering rack, there should be no play whatsoever, but you are allowed up to 1 inch of movement or 'play' at the steering wheel end and it still be safe

and to number 2

i dont know, sorry

 

[Deckchair5]

Shouldn't be any play there. 1/2" of play is huge.


You don't say whether you've changed your track rod ends or whether the play is there. Wear at the track rod inner ball joint is a pain as that's a new steering rack required as replacing in situ is next to impossible and you may as well renew the lot while it's out. Outer track rod end (item 3) is a doddle in comparison

Jack it up and try to move the wheel in the horizontal. Look at where the play/ movement stops

For identifying the squeak, get a can of silicon spray and squirt one place at a time

 

[Greggers]

Shouldn't be any play there. 1/2" of play is huge.

Ah.... that'll explain why I've never been happy with my steering then

There's no play at all in any of my ball joints as I replaced everything, including the track rod ends. All of the play is in the rack itself... Anyone got an idea of cost for this? Again, hopefully my warranty should cover this...

 

[Greggers]

Vehicle Details Reference : R/2005/043 Manufacturer Ref : Make: FIAT Model : STILO 1.8 AND ABARTH 2.4 Launch Date : 7/11/2005 Numbers Involved : 3030 Build Start Date : 1/1/2002 Build End Date : 12/1/2003 Recall Details Concern : POSSIBLE LOSS OF STEERING Description : Excess play between steering rack and pinion leading to noise and possible loss of steering when parking. Remedial Action : Recalled vehicles will have the steering pinion bearing preload adjusted, or the steering rack assembly will be replaced as necessary Vehicle Id : ZFA19200000000000 to ZFA19200000436250
ZFA19200000000000 to ZFA19200000436250

I think this might apply to me... I'm ZFA19200000061874. I wonder if this is also the squeak that I've not been able to track down?

What's the best way to get this rectfied under recall?

 

[tenwierdufos]

Check the universal joint that is at the bottom of your steering column, there is more likley to be play in there than in the steering rack itself,

Its quite easy to see and isnt coverd up by anything just to the left of your clutch pedal

 

[Greggers]

just to the left of your clutch pedal

Clutch pedal? What's that? In my car, we don't do clutch pedals :slayer:

 

[tenwierdufos]

welllll, you know what i mean



to the left of where the clutch pedal would be if it was a real stilo :bang:


but yes, well worth checking that universal joint out, i know the vectra ive got hidden in the garage has got about 2 inches of play in the steering, and 90% of that is in that little joint lol.

 

[Greggers]

lol, yeah, just pulling your leg

I'll check it but I haven't felt any play at the steering wheel at all.... it's all been at the wheels and rack

 

[tenwierdufos]

oh well, i hope its somthing cheap for you anyway!

on the plus side not having hydraulic power steering means the steering rack is a cheaper part?

but the fitting usually isnt im not sure how easy it is to get the steering rack out on these, some cars you can do it without removing a huge amount of other stuff.

good luck anyways and let us know if you work it out

 

[Greggers]

Will do matey. Hopefully it can be done under a recall as I can't believe that it's been carried out already. The car wasn't serviced at Fiat before I bought it and given that the recall wasn't put out until 2005, I reckon I'm in with a good shout.

In the meantime I'll have a look at how much work it'll be if I have to do it myself... the rack itself is about £225 or so I think.

 

[tenwierdufos]

hang on a minute, it shouldnt cost that much for a rack withouth hydraulics lol




The Make and Model you have chosen is >> FIAT Stilo [ Back ]

series All
Engine All
YearFrom 2.02
YearTo
Type Assisted Rack
PartNumber SR003
Information Electric Assist
Price (Plus VAT) £79
Deposit £60


The deposit is because this is a company that recondition racks, so you have to pay the £79 and £60 up front, but when you finish the swap and send your (broken) rack back to them they give you the £60 back (-£10 for postage if you get them to collect it i think)

Either way worth a look into if you do need a new rack.

http://www.carparts-direct.co.uk/Steering_Racks.cfm

 

[Greggers]

Soz, that was the Fiat ePer price... hence it being extortionate

 

[tenwierdufos]

Hah, yes, ePer

which is what my dealer used to come up with the price for a new glovebox hinge to be £80

so, shop around

 

[Greggers]

Does anyone have any ideas about the engine mount and whether that looks right or not?

Hi guys,

I've just got a couple of quick questions...

1) How much play in the steering rack should there be when you have both front wheels off the ground and then wiggle one of the wheels? I've replaced all of my front suspension parts (wishbone, struts, springs, drop-link etc) but I've got about half an inch of play at the steering arm which I'm concerned about. There's no play at the steering wheel at all.

2) I've got one of the MOST ANNOYING squeaks ever heard and I can't for the life of me track it down. One idea I have is that it might be one of my engine mounts. I took a picture (from the o/s wheel arch) so that you can see if you think that maybe it's failed.

I'm not sure if it's meant to look like that but I assumed that the bolt should line up with the access hole... no?

Cheers for any help you can give

 

[Greggers]

Right then... a bit more info about my steering.

I jacked up just one side of the car and wiggled the raised wheel with my hands. I was able to wiggle about 1/2 inch of movement out of the rack and I also noted the steering wheel, which was moving in perfect sych with the wiggled wheel. This means that there's no play between the wiggled wheel and the steering but the thing to note, is that the other wheel is still on the floor and not able to move. The same thing happens on the other side when I jack that one up.

This says to me, that there's no play between the steering wheel and the rack, but that there is between each wheel. Is that even possible?

 

[Morty Mort]

You've got extremely sloppy low-end rock bottom budget tyres...

 

[Greggers]

You've got extremely sloppy low-end rock bottom budget tyres...

Lol Cheers Morty... my Conti ContactSport2's are insulted

 

[tenwierdufos]

could be any of the 4 ball joints if the steering wheel moves then.

e.g. track rod end ball joints or track rod ones (inside the rack)