I've got a lot of play in the steering when in a neutral position (going strait).

The ball joints were replaced about 10k mi ago and the wheel bearings seem to be snug. A few months ago my rack died and I replaced it with a used one from a junk yard. After install, I took it down to have the alignment done and when I picked up the car the mechanic that did the alignment (and put new tires on) asked if I did the rack myself. He then complemented me on the great job I did (patting myself on the back).

A month later, I started to get a lot of play in the steering. And now, having driven a month on it, I noticed some unusual wear patterns on my new tires.

PS fluid level looks good and the new* rack isn't leaking.

What do you think are the culprits and what should I check before I go back to the same shop and tell them that the alignment is off and ask for a warrenty realignment?

Thanks

I had a lower u-joint that was bad in my 87. It was really loose, and shook like hell every time you hit a bump in a turn.

With one person turning the wheel back and forth, and another putting hands on various parts, you should be able to analyze whether either u-joint is loose or if the problem lies in a tie rod end or something else.

If you can't find it, definitely bring it back to that shop- they should be able to easily pinpoint it on the lift. Hopefully nothing important loosened up!
Good luck!
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Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: 92 244-M47-207K ::: 90 745GL-M47-268K ::: 88 245DL-AW70-230K ::: 88 244 SOLD! 87 244 SOLD! Still looking for a bright red or black 244 with sunroof...

A while back I thought my U-joints were going out. There was a gritty feeling and when I WD40 the lower joint the feeling went away. Then a couple weeks later, my rack blew so I figured that was the real problem. Maybe it was both?

I don't think it is any of the bushings. I replaced all of the front bushings in the last year with IPD's shiny blue poly bushings. And thinking that the play might be due to the back end having a little too much play in the bushings I replaced a severely worn out bushing on the panaird rod. But that didn't fix it.

If it is a U-joint, then I must have an alignment problem as well (considering the tread wear)?

Tomorrow will be the day to find where the play is coming from.

Also, the Bentley manual mentions 3 different torque values for snugging up the wheel bearings. 41ft-lbs and the 2 other values, one for the older style and one for the newer style ~2ft-lbs. Which is it? Is the nut only supposed to be finger tight or cranked on a little? Last time I did it I cranked it up to 41ft-lbs (while spinning) and then backed off until I could feel the friction loosen up a bit. The wheel doesn't rock but I also don't want to burn out my bearings.

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- Mike

Steering column u-joints, either top or bottom, usually comes with a "gritty" feeling in the steering wheel. Another thought would be the lower A-Arm bushings although these are normally associated with a clunking or squeaking noise when going over bumps. Bad alignment?

jorrell
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89 244 171K miles, 92 245 236K miles, 06 XC70, 00 Eclipse custom Turbo setup

Wheel balancing?
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'89 240 All original, custom exhaust, KnN, custom guages, 260,000kms