It's not to bad, about 1/2 in either direction. The alignment is ok and the tires pressures are good. The only thing done to the front suspension is springs, struts, 31mm sway, hub assembly pass side 9other side still fine) and PST poly bushings, all about three years old. I was wondering if it was in the steering linkage or tie rods? Any ideas, thanks.

 

First I would check your tie-rods... after that you can adjust the pre-load on your rack... which could be some of it if it's not your tie-rods.

 

...or could be the rag joint in the steering shaft. You need to do some investigating to see where the slack is.

 

I just had the same issue at 92k miles and after checking everything else, it turned out that the rag joint in the steering linkage was worn out. I had to buy a new steering linkage assembly (93-97 f-body: GM Part # 26020775).

If it is your rag joint that's worn here's the options:

- A brand new linkage is $111.29 from gmpartsdirect.com.

- Call Jason Cromer at Sam Taylor Buick (http://www.samtaylor.com/html/parts.html), I bet he has a much lower price than gmpartsdirect.com.

- Check some salvage yards as I've heard of some people getting a used one for like $15.

- Replace the rag joint with the "rag joint eliminator" from Unbalanced Engineering ($30) - http://www.unbalancedengineering.com/Camaro

 

would that introduce more vibrations and such through the steering wheel?

 

Agree about the rag-joint. I had a fair amount of play in the steering wheel. I even had to argue with the dealership that it had a problem, but ultimately they agreed & replaced it. I think they said some rivots had become loose.

 

Assuming you're talking about the Rag Joint Eliminator, yes, I think it would. That rubber piece is there for a reason and you can bet a majority of it is to serve as a vibration damper.

 

Thanks, I appericate it. I looked at the tie rods, they seem unbent and firmly in place, as do the wheels themselves. I do have uncoated headers though, so maybe it's the rag joint. If it is, how hard is it to replace and if so, do I need a new alignment? Also, I was thinking of installing bump steer tie rods. If it is the tie rods, would this correct it, or just an addition to the rods?

 

Replacing the rag joint doesn't require an alignment as it's just part of the steering linkage shaft that connects the steering column to the steering box. At the bare minimum you'll be removing the linkage shaft. Then you'll either replace the whole linkage with a new one or replace the bad rag joint in your old linkage with the "Rag Joint Eliminator". Either way, it's up to you. I bought a new linkage just before I found the rag joint eliminator product from Unbalanced Engineering; otherwise I might have gone that route instead. Just make sure that you keep the steering column "locked" when your replacing the linkage shaft. This will prevent you from overly "twisting" the wires in the steering column while the linkage is detached.

Hope this helps.

 

Yes it does, thank you.

 

Nope, if does you have other issues. I noticed no increase in NVH after I installed mine.