1998 V70 Excessive play in steering

5rivers · Post by **5rivers** » 18 Aug 2014, 15:17

Hi,
Recently been experiencing excessive play in the steering of my car. Just wondering where I should start to correct this problem. I've checked out the forum database and found a few older/similar situations. I know I have a torn CV boot that needs to be replaced. Will check out the bushings on tie rod ends and control arms. Appreciate your replies. Thanks!

Post by **JimBee** » 18 Aug 2014, 18:06

I would want to know what's causing the play before going very fast or far. Even worn steering links that might cause some misalignment or shimmying won't usually cause the steering to feel loose.

You're already planning to check out the link connectors so that's a good start.

Next, have a helper turn the wheel with the engine off and the car securely supported high enough that you can look around underneath while the steering wheel is being turned.

Others who have replaced a rack might have an opinion on whether it could be that, but with looseness as you suggest, you should be able to see it from underneath when the steering wheel is turned.

Post by **abscate** » 18 Aug 2014, 19:23

Up goes the car onto jack stands up front.

Grab wheel top and bottom .....push pull. Excessive play here us ball joints

Grab wheel front back....push pull. Excessive play here is tie rods.

Rolling down I88 past you (?) on a Sunday if you are interested, send me a PM

5rivers · Post by **5rivers** » 23 Aug 2014, 19:19

Ok, it finally stopped raining long enough for me to jack up the front end and inspect the tie rods and control arm bushings. Definitely need tie rods, there are a few small cracks enough so that grease has leaked out. The passenger side tire tread on the outside is practically worn out. Bummer! Time to pull out the spare tires from storage. Still trying to get the axle nut off to change out the outer CV boot. I have tried heat, liquid wrench and WD40. Even with a breaker bar and a 36mm socket, nothing seems to budge the nut. Any suggestions??

Post by **kahl** » 23 Aug 2014, 20:38

Get a pipe extension for you breaker bar, works every time! I don't know your mileage but control arms, tie rod ends and inner tie rod would be suspect.

Post by **rspi** » 24 Aug 2014, 02:06

It is best to use a 4 foot breaker bar when removing the axle nut. I have tried a 3' bar and ended up trashing it.

Post by **erikv11** » 24 Aug 2014, 07:38

I have always been able to break loose the axle nut with a cheap-o electric impact I got from Harbor Freight. Have done 6 or 7 this way.

Post by **rspi** » 24 Aug 2014, 12:10

Post by **abscate** » 25 Aug 2014, 05:18

Stopped off on a trip and we managed to get 5rivers front axle nut off with 18inch bar and socket. Trick was to get kid in car holding brake firmly down, and BFG on end of breaker bar...I calculated about 400 FT lbs torque needed to break the nut free. Looks like just tie rod ends needed on this round!

Bravo Zulu!

5rivers · Post by **5rivers** » 26 Aug 2014, 10:06

Thank you so much abscate!
Now that the axle nut is loose, I managed to get one bolt out of the control arm. The second bolt, closest to the firewall, was/is a bear! The bushing tore and the metal round tube, inside the bushing, is stuck to the bolt! The bushing has completely fallen apart, but parts of it are still inside. I have tried numerous things to get the bolt out, but have not tried heat given how close the inner CV boot and steering bellows are to this bolt. Any suggestions?