steering wheel play

[rob41185]

hey i have a 99 explorer and it has some considerable play in the steering. It gets to be more and more as you go faster and i was wondering if you could do anything to tighten up the steering or something. Thanks

 

[mrboyle]

Your '99 uses a rack & pinnion style steering system that is non adjustable. Any "freeplay" is going to be due to either the inner or outter tie rod ends wearing out. I suggest taking your X in and having the front end inspected ASAP.

 

[Isaac]

Mike,,,

while were on the subject,,
what about the older Explorers (91-94)
how do you go about tighting up the stearing, how is that done on the stearing box?
Thanx
Isaac

 

[Big E]

On the 99 Explorer you do have rack and pinion. You could have an outer tie rod loose (like previous stated) or a ball joint loose. On the 91-94 you have a gear box that wears out and the problem also could be a inner tie rod, outter tie rod, a loose gear box, or ball joints loose. And if you have a loose ball joint or tie rod there is no way to tighten those up, just replace them. But if you have a gear box loose you have two options. Buy a new one for aproxmily 500 bucks or you can tighten it up. To tighten it up: you need to loosen the jam nut that is on the stud that sticks out at the top of the gear box. Then tighten the stud only a quarter turn at a time. Over tighen will make is dangerous to drive. Then when you are all done, tighten the nut making sure you hold the stud, and then go for a test drive. The adjust again if needed. But only go alittle bit at a time on the adjusting stud.

Eric

 

[jimmiecakes]

In the centre of the steering box is a designed in "high point". If you're adjusting your own steering box be very wary of trying to get those last few miles out of a junk gear. If the "high point" has worn to the point of disappearing, you can adjust you're way into two high points.... one on each side of centre. This will be a car you herd down the road rather than driving it....