notchy steering feeling

[trixie]

Anyone know what it could be that makes my steering feel like there's a notch when I move the steering wheel from top dead center? If you put your hand at the 12 o'clock position, and just moved it slightly left to right, you would feel a little -- I don't know, like as it rotates, it's hitting a little bump-? It doesn't seem to effect anything, and is more pronounced at slower speeds.
Thanks, Michael.

 

[Doug]

Does it feel like the wheel is hard to turn at certain spots? I had a similiar problem with my truck and i got some lucas power steering additive and it fixed the problem.

 

[jimbo74]

could just be play that is normal in steering systems..... like slack...... some is allowable but if you think it is bad, or too much or whatever, take it in and have it checked....

 

[trixie]

I wouldn't call it "hard" to turn the wheel. I just get the feeling that something is worn, and wondered if this was a common sensation. It's only from 11:58 to 12:02, if you think of a clock- maybe a little less.
Michael.

 

[jimbo74]

could just be slack, when WE do alignments at work, we are supposed to start the engine and wiggle the play out of the wheel to center it, if we dont, it might cuase the steering wheel to be off center when we are done aligning it.....

 

[trixie]

That's the funny thing, the steering wheel is totally lined up. I've own tons of cars/trucks, and most of them drove straight with the steering wheel a little off-center. It almost feels like a stereo knob, where there is a notch to show you what center is.
Michael.