The steering wheel has a little play in the center before it kicks in going left or right. It was not like this new. Are there bushings I need to replace?

 

Your tie rod ends are probably shot

Jack up one front wheel and try to move it left and right (like the wheel would turn if steering) If theres play try to get under there and see where its comming from as a buddy moves the tire.

 

how many miles on the car??? there's a rag joint near the driver's header that sometimes wears down over time. look into a rag joint eliminator kit or a solid replacement bushing.

check thunder racing for parts...i think they have the kit.

 

Looks like he doesn't have headers. Those rag joints are pretty tough. Probably not the problem.

 

50K miles, no headers

 

Jack the car up and inspect the entire steering system. My play was from the pinion gear moving up and down; replaced the steering rack and solved the issue.

 

Not to jack but why would this all of a sudden happen as soon as shox/springs and wheels were added?... someone mentioned to me about the sterring rack....it was just.... BAM.... all of a sudden.

 

I have the same problem. My steering was fine this morning. This afternoon I got new tires, Good Year f1 GS-D3's (great tires). After about 10 min of driving my steering got very loose, all of a sudden. I wonder if there is an adjustment I can do with out repacing my steering rack... which is 670 bucks for the Ws6!!!!! ahhhhh...

 

The TOE setting on alignment could affect this dead spot feeling when the steering wheel is on center. In addition, I found on one car that the 2 bolts that hold the steering rack down were loose. Tightened the bolts and the "slop" was gone.

 

I had this problem in my old Mustang GT. The u-joint where the tilt takes place wore and had a ton of slop. I had to replace the entire shaft which sucked major ***.

The GM column has a plastic CV joint right at the til that might be worn. You need to isolate where the slop is.

Use some vicegrips to grab the main shaft in several places and hold it firm then start turning things to find where the problem is. I am guessing u-joint or rag-joint.