Steering wheel free play- how much is normal?

[triston]

Hi All,

I just got my car bask (2008 gt sti) after about a month and notice that the steering wheel has a (seemingly) fair bit of 'free play' (best way I can describe it) i.e. the wheel is loose and can move left or right about maybe an inch or so quite freely before the wheels would turn. i.e. driving in a straight line could almost shake from left to right with out veering one way or another. I've been driving a ford focus for the last month so not sure if its just the car change or something that needs closer inspection.

So whats normal for our cars? and if mine is not normal what could be wrong?

Cheers,
Triston

[macko]

[DownUnder]

Hi All,

I just got my car bask (2008 gt sti) after about a month and notice that the steering wheel has a (seemingly) fair bit of 'free play' (best way I can describe it) i.e. the wheel is loose and can move left or right about maybe an inch or so quite freely before the wheels would turn. i.e. driving in a straight line could almost shake from left to right with out veering one way or another. I've been driving a ford focus for the last month so not sure if its just the car change or something that needs closer inspection.

So whats normal for our cars? and if mine is not normal what could be wrong?

Cheers,
Triston

sounds like something's definitely up... I'd get it checked

[lump_a_charcoal]

Hi All,

I just got my car bask (2008 gt sti) after about a month and notice that the steering wheel has a (seemingly) fair bit of 'free play' (best way I can describe it) i.e. the wheel is loose and can move left or right about maybe an inch or so quite freely before the wheels would turn. i.e. driving in a straight line could almost shake from left to right with out veering one way or another. I've been driving a ford focus for the last month so not sure if its just the car change or something that needs closer inspection.

So whats normal for our cars? and if mine is not normal what could be wrong?

Cheers,
Triston

Sounds like something is worn - steering on modern cars is usually pretty responsive.
My old hilux used to get sloppy when the steering linkages were worn, so I assume it is something similar.

[DownUnder]

Heaps of things could play. Steering rack bushes, suspension bushes, steering linkages, tie rods, the rack itself, I'd get it checked or get underneath and start prying and shaking things to try and find the source of the problem.

[triston]

the car got serviced the other day - needed new control arm bushes and there was a loose bolt on the steering rack somewhere