Tired of sloppy steering, but what's the fix?
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a million. I've thrown just about every fix at it, and what I can tell you is that its hit or miss these days with racks.
That still leaves tie rod ends, bumpsteer kits, lower A arm bushings, rack bushings, steering shafts/joints, loose steering wheel bolts, bad upper columns.
I've bought everything on that list and I still have 10degrees of play.
That still leaves tie rod ends, bumpsteer kits, lower A arm bushings, rack bushings, steering shafts/joints, loose steering wheel bolts, bad upper columns.
I've bought everything on that list and I still have 10degrees of play.
juiced_94gt
Active Member
Its the best item I've bought for the steering (besides the bumpsteer kit), but its no good if the rack has play as well.
R.A.T.M.
Member
I have the fix!! I just fixed this in my Cobra!!! I had a ton of play in the steering wheel, and it was ALL OVER THE PLACE WHEN IT HIT BUMPS!
There is a bearing in the firewall, that the steering shaft goes through. Mine broke, fell out, and was riding around the lowest part of the steering shaft. I could grab my steering shaft at the firewall and move it up and down. I looked at other Mustangs I have, and many had bad bearings in the firewall. Well, I finally found one that had a good one. It is held in a cup (with two 10 or 11mm bolts attaching it to the firewall.) A solid steering shaft will help as well, but I have had this problem in other 94-04 cars. Other cars, I just put a stock replacement shaft, it didn't solve the problem, and here I never knew of this bearing!! Well, I really looked into this on my Cobra, and I solved it!!
I have NO PLAY ANYMORE!! Car is like brand new!
There is a bearing in the firewall, that the steering shaft goes through. Mine broke, fell out, and was riding around the lowest part of the steering shaft. I could grab my steering shaft at the firewall and move it up and down. I looked at other Mustangs I have, and many had bad bearings in the firewall. Well, I finally found one that had a good one. It is held in a cup (with two 10 or 11mm bolts attaching it to the firewall.) A solid steering shaft will help as well, but I have had this problem in other 94-04 cars. Other cars, I just put a stock replacement shaft, it didn't solve the problem, and here I never knew of this bearing!! Well, I really looked into this on my Cobra, and I solved it!!
I have NO PLAY ANYMORE!! Car is like brand new!
I just checked, theres no play in the driveshaft like your describing in regards to the bearing.
Heres what their (wild pony) website says:
"You can sharpen your Mustang’s steering response with this solid steering shaft assembly. With your stock steering shaft, motion is lost due to the flexing of the rubber rag-joint. This flexing usually feels like play in the steering wheel (you can move the steering wheel without the car changing direction). The factory joints are replaced with race-quality needle-bearing U-joints, resulting in a dramatic improvement in steering response."
Seems reasonable I guess.
How tough is this to install?
Heres what their (wild pony) website says:
"You can sharpen your Mustang’s steering response with this solid steering shaft assembly. With your stock steering shaft, motion is lost due to the flexing of the rubber rag-joint. This flexing usually feels like play in the steering wheel (you can move the steering wheel without the car changing direction). The factory joints are replaced with race-quality needle-bearing U-joints, resulting in a dramatic improvement in steering response."
Seems reasonable I guess.
How tough is this to install?
No pics....I don't bring my camera everywhere I go. The sfat is easy to install. I kept my wheel straight, and the bolt that holds it to the rack you can access right from underneath the car....I took that bolt out, then I used a pry bar and pryed it off the rack...(came off with little effort) Then go under the dash and disconnect the steering shaft from the column. It is a total of 2 bolts and you can replace it quickly.
Same problem in my 87 hatch. I do have a new manual rack, tie rod ends and what not. checked into it and the problem is the worn out shaft/bearing (like mentioned above) inside the car. My problem isn't as bad as 4", more like 2", but it is a pain in the butt doing all that steering to keep straight.
94 Cobra 5.0
Member
http://www.latemodelrestoration.com/iwwida.pvx?;item?item_no=LRS-3611A 1&comp=LRS
If this link doesnt work the part number under the 50resto website is LRS-3611A
Im pretty sure thats what you guys are talking about.
Just made me go out and check mine to see if it was bad......new project just arose.
Hope that solves your problem.
If this link doesnt work the part number under the 50resto website is LRS-3611A
Im pretty sure thats what you guys are talking about.
Just made me go out and check mine to see if it was bad......new project just arose.
Hope that solves your problem.
95strokerPSU
Member
Steering Rack.
I had the same exact problems as desribed above. The car wandered on uneven roads, every bump had the potential to send me into the next lane, and highway driving was just scary. Today I took the car out for the first time since installing 03 Cobra rack and I finally felt like I was 100% in control. The only other thing I changed will swapping racks, was I switched to ATF Type F fluid. I didn't realize before that Mustangs' require it instead of power steering fluid. But I highly doubt the fluid was the source of the steering slop.
If you can't find an 03 Cobra rack, stick to real Ford racks, not remanufactured pieces. I got my rack from Prestige Mustang, but MPS often has them come through as well.
I had the same exact problems as desribed above. The car wandered on uneven roads, every bump had the potential to send me into the next lane, and highway driving was just scary. Today I took the car out for the first time since installing 03 Cobra rack and I finally felt like I was 100% in control. The only other thing I changed will swapping racks, was I switched to ATF Type F fluid. I didn't realize before that Mustangs' require it instead of power steering fluid. But I highly doubt the fluid was the source of the steering slop.
If you can't find an 03 Cobra rack, stick to real Ford racks, not remanufactured pieces. I got my rack from Prestige Mustang, but MPS often has them come through as well.
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