How to remove play in a car steering rack with your own hands

12.11.2019

Issues discussed in the material:

• Why does play appear in the steering rack?
• What are the signs of play in the steering rack?
• How to remove play in the steering rack with your own hands

The steering system makes it possible to change the direction of the vehicle's trajectory. It consists of a large number of elements. Its most important link is the steering rack. Play in this mechanism is unacceptable and must be eliminated as soon as possible. How to remove play in the steering rack? You will learn about this by reading our article.

Cause of play in the steering rack

First of all, let’s analyze the principle by which the steering of modern cars functions. The steering wheel is connected through a universal joint to a device that is a hollow tube, usually made of duralumin. Inside this mechanism there is a gear rack, driven by a gear connected to a universal joint. The rack is connected through internal lugs to rods, which are connected through external hinges to the steering arms on the front suspension struts. As a result, when any movement of the rack occurs, the wheels turn. Therefore, even the slightest play in the vehicle’s steering system must be removed. After all, it is a serious problem that can lead to dangerous consequences, ranging from a delayed reaction to movement and ending with a complete loss of control of the car.

Play in the steering rack may appear for the following reasons:

• The steering wheel nuts are not tightened well;
• splined connections are worn out;
• the cardan joints of the intermediate shaft are worn out;
• the steering mechanism to the body has become loose;
• the gap between the gear and the rack has increased;
• tips are worn out;
• the rubber-metal hinges that secure the rods to the mechanism have worn out, or their fastening bolts have become loose;
• The adjustment rods have loosened.

Let us consider in more detail the main causes of backlash.

1. Loosening the nut.

   
   The most easily removable cause of play is the weakening of the steering wheel fastening due to the unscrewing of the nut that secures it. To fix this problem, remove the decorative trim and use the correct size socket wrench to tighten the nut. In most cases, modern cars are equipped with airbags, the module of which is installed in the steering wheel trim. To provide access to the fastening nut, it must be dismantled. The work must be carried out scrupulously; the battery terminals must be disconnected. When the steering wheel nut is loosened, loss of vehicle control may occur due to wear of the splines at the joint due to the steering wheel turning on the axle. In this case, urgent repairs are required to remove the backlash. It will consist of mandatory replacement of parts that were damaged. The consequence of wear of the cardan joints on the intermediate shaft is the occurrence of a “gear wheel effect”, which consists in periodically rubbing the steering wheel during rotation. Due to this malfunction, vehicle controllability deteriorates, especially when driving at high speeds. Replacing the intermediate shaft is the only way to fix this problem.

2. Play also causes loosening of the steering mechanism to the body or sedimentation of rubber gaskets between the steering mechanism and the body . To remove it, you should tighten the fastening nuts or replace worn-out rubber parts. Increasing the clearance in the rack gears is an equally unpleasant situation. It occurs due to wear on the contact surfaces of the gear and rack. In addition, quite often in this mechanism the gaps between the guides and the rack increase. In this case, the wear process proceeds several times faster if the integrity of the protective anthers is damaged, so it is advisable to remove the defect.
3. Wear of rod ends.A particular danger is represented by play that occurs due to wear of the outer tie rod ends, which are the weak link of the vehicle steering system. The reason for the increased vulnerability of these parts is their operation in difficult conditions: they are constantly exposed to the destructive effects of dirt, water, etc.
   It is recommended to fix this problem as soon as possible. The danger of the defect is that the vehicle may lose control due to destruction of the tip, which occurs due to a significant increase in the radial and axial clearances of its ball joint. The consequences of such damage are difficult to overestimate, so in such a situation it is recommended to urgently remove the defect - replace the tips in a car service center.

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   The inner ends of the rods are attached to the steering mechanism using rubber-metal hinges pressed into their ends. When these hinges wear out, a specific metallic knock appears. To remove the defect, it is necessary to press new parts into the rods. It is recommended to entrust this work to specialists, since only the auto repair shop has the necessary pressing equipment. The bolts that secure the rods to the mechanism may also come loose. To remove the backlash in this situation, you only need to tighten them to the torque specified by the manufacturer.

4. Loosening the adjusting rods. The next factor leading to the appearance of play in the steering is loosening of the adjusting rods that regulate the toe-in of the vehicle wheels. The problem occurs due to insufficient tightening of the bolts after adjusting the toe angle. The defect can cause the adjusting rod to jump out of the ends, so it must be removed.
   The swing arms of some modern car models are not welded to the suspension struts, but are connected using bolts. When bolted joints become loose, play appears. To check whether this is the cause of this defect, lift the front of the car, remove the wheels and check the tightness of the bolts. This way you will adjust the steering.

   Independently identifying the causes of steering rack play will not cause much difficulty for any car owner; you just need to have an assistant to perform some operations. To do this, place the vehicle on a level surface. Then open the hood and place the wheels in a straight position. While the assistant sharply turns the steering wheel in both directions at a slight angle, feel all the components whose malfunction may cause play. It will not be difficult for your hands to find the defective unit, since you will immediately feel a specific shift while rocking the wheel.

Other VAZ models

The steering rack of the VAZ is adjusted in the same way as on the Kalina. To do this, the car is installed in a pit, then the protection of the power unit is removed. Next you need to find the adjusting screw. Most beginners do not cope with this right away - the screw is hidden under a layer of dirt. On most VAZ models, a special key is made to tighten the screw. Turn the key a little and check the play. If you have been adjusting for a long time and persistently, but nothing has worked out and the play has not disappeared, in this case the part needs to be removed and its wear checked.

On these models, as well as on other modern cars, control is carried out through the same steering rack. But these components are very reliable in the new Ford Focus, and problems with it rarely arise. However, even these hardy cars cannot drive on our roads for a long time without repairs. Adjusting the steering rack (Ford Scorpio as well) is an important task for all owners.

Signs of play in the steering rack

The occurrence of backlash is not determined by eye, which causes difficulties when trying to eliminate the malfunction. However, only the owner of the car can notice the first signs of its appearance. In this case, you may observe the following symptoms indicating a possible problem:

• Crunching sound when turning wheels.
• Inability to maintain a given direction when the steering wheel is released.
• A knocking sound occurs in the steering gear when driving over uneven surfaces.
• Clicking noises in the steering wheel when the direction of travel changes.
• Performing arbitrary maneuvers that do not depend on the position of the steering wheel.
• Vibrations while driving.

How to remove play in the steering rack? It is necessary to identify the problem in time. When conducting diagnostics, it is necessary to carefully examine the entire mechanism, identifying the weakest nodes. There are a large number of factors for the appearance of backlash, but they can all be attributed to a single reason - faulty interaction of control drive parts.

It could be:

• Excessively stretched strip.
• Wear of the worm hook and gear bar.
• Damage to chassis parts - wheel bearings, steering rods, ends.
• Wear of gear teeth or rack.
• Failure to change hydraulic fluid in a timely manner.

a backlash meter can be used - a special device with which it is possible to detect a gap in the steering rack even before the first signs of a malfunction appear. When the indicators shown by the device are higher than normal, the problem must be removed. You can find clearance standards for vehicles in the traffic regulations.

Often the defect cannot be detected in time, which leads to the need to completely replace the steering mechanism. If the backlash indicator is too low, driving the car becomes less comfortable. If there is a strong gap, in order to control the car you have to “catch” it, that is, constantly turn the steering wheel. The most serious danger is the risk of losing control of the machine, so eliminating the malfunction is a task of increased importance.

If the backlash meter shows slight deviations from the norm, then you can deal with them yourself. However, the design of some models requires repair work to be carried out by professionals in auto repair shops.

Principle of operation.

So, the principle of operation of the steering rack is to transfer the forces that the driver applies to turn the steering wheel to spur or helical gears mounted on a bearing and coming into action together with the rack.

Backlash-free interaction between the rack and pinion is ensured by pressure springs.

Video.

How to remove play in the steering rack with your own hands

How to tighten the slats yourself:

1. To adjust the rack and remove play, tighten the adjusting screw located in the end cover of the steering mechanism.
2. Use the overpass pit in the garage. If such ideal conditions are not available, jacks can be used to tighten the rack. Be sure to secure the machine after lifting on the jackstands.
3. Align the front wheels straight (level) before lifting the car body using jacks.
4. In accordance with GOST of the Russian Federation, the play of the steering mechanism should not be more than ten degrees. Measure it with a backlash meter: there are both modern electronic and primitive devices.
5. Tighten the adjusting screw slowly. During the process, check the steering wheel travel, as well as the presence of a knock in the column or play.
6. If you think you have corrected the defect, carry out a sea test. Did you feel the steering wheel feel heavy when driving? Then loosen the adjusting screw a little.

You have succeeded in eliminating the problem if the steering wheel returns to the center position without difficulty and no knocking or play is detected.

How to adjust it yourself

The steering rack can be adjusted independently. To do this, you should prepare the appropriate tool.

What do you need to tighten up?

Before you start work, you need to worry about a partner who will help in repairing the car, and also watch videos on the Internet on this issue. It is also necessary to stock up on an electronic playmeter. According to GOST, the steering play should not be more than 10°. To carry out these, you need a garage with a pit and a lantern for lighting.

The mechanism will be adjusted with a special key for tightening. If there is no hole in the garage, you will need a jack. After lifting it, the machine should be fixed on the lifting trestles for support and only then inspect the mechanisms in order to tighten the rack.

How to diagnose play in the steering rack and eliminate it: advice from car enthusiasts

1. “How to determine the backlash yourself”

I realized that my rods were loose while replacing the silent blocks in the front arms. I suggest this procedure:

• Remove the wheel.
• Unscrew the nut from the steering knuckle that secures the linkage to the steering knuckle. Knock out or remove the steering rod from the steering knuckle using a puller.
• Grab the rod with your hand and slowly move it back and forth along the axis. I was able to get a good feel for the backlash in this way. Weak efforts applied to the rod are a guarantee that it is the rod that is causing play and not the rack.

• Collect everything as it was.

Then check the second link in the same way.

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» More details 2. “The presence of play can be easily determined by the free movement, but you need to understand where it is”

• To check the outer tips, place your finger on the boot where the tip enters the hub, then jerk the wheel.
• To check the inner tip, feel the hinge on the extended boot and do the same as indicated in the first point.
• Play can also occur due to the ball joint, but when it is already dead, check with a mounting tool. Apply jerky pressure, being careful not to damage the boot or the joint between the ball and hub.
• When the steering rack gives play, both wheels will move; the slack may occur due to wear. To check, place the car in a pit and sharply pull the steering rod up and down. Pull up 5-100 if you hear a knock on the right. The steering wheel does not return to the rack when driving? Then you need to loosen it up. Please note that by adjusting, you remove the knock, that is, the gap between the tops of the teeth of the worm and the rack. However, it will not be possible to remove the free play, since the teeth are worn out and the angle of inclination does not match. Therefore, the knocking will return after some time.

The reason for the knock on the left is a broken support bushing, which means the rack needs to be repaired or replaced.

3. “Checking for backlash according to the inspection principle”

What is the easiest way to remove play in the steering rack? Carry out the check as during a technical inspection, when one person turns the steering wheel in different directions with the engine turned off, and the second person checks the rods and play in the rack for the presence of knocks. The play can even be seen, if the helmsmen are completely killed, and heard. To remove it, use the adjusting nut to tighten it (it seems to be set to 22) - counter it to 41. I did it this way: the assistant lightly turned the steering wheel in different directions, and I tightened it slowly, as soon as the knocking noise disappeared - countered it. Then he started the engine and drove a little, checking how the amp works and whether the steering wheel returns on its own after a turn. This is important, because if it is overtightened (which can be immediately heard from the operation of the amplifier), the hydrach will quickly break. All this is not difficult; if you wish, do not be afraid to make adjustments yourself to remove the defect.

4. “I made the adjustment alone at the dacha and drove from the dacha in a completely different car.”

I removed the fan and shroud, after which I was able to see the steering rack adjustment assembly. I made the key myself by welding a 27 nut (nut with a skirt) to the plate and bending the plate a little.

Didn't sharpen anything. I marked it with paint and unscrewed the locknut using a chisel, which I had previously extended by welding part of the round reinforcement. To remove the play, I installed the key, then turned it to the right until it stops, loosened it a little and locked it. Based on the mark, I turned the adjusting nut about 35-40 degrees.

5. “A few additions to replacing the steering rack”

After studying posts on the forum about replacing the steering rack bushing, I decided to take action. I removed the cover from the bushing side and saw that it was in poor condition and needed to be replaced. I would like to advise:

• When starting repairs to remove play, make sure that the cause is in the bushing itself, and not in insufficient tightening of the adjusting nut on it.
• The easiest option is to place a jack under the subframe. Almost completely unscrewing the nuts was not enough for the rack to come out.
• The marks on the nut will not help remove the defect, since in any case you will need to unscrew it until it stops.
• I was unable to get the shaft out until I loosened the adjusting nut on the rack.
• The shaft wear was significant where it rides on the bushing. In addition, I found rust on it, so I had to use sandpaper.
• To remove the malfunction, the easiest way to adjust the nut is with two people and on an assembled car: one turns the steering wheel, the other tightens it until the knocking in the rack disappears and a slight force appears on the steering wheel. Please note that the stabilizer must be unscrewed from the struts.
  

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• Do you want to remove the knock? Immediately change the stabilizer rubber bands. I was convinced of this from my own experience: I thought all the knocking was due to the rack, but it turned out that they were also knocking.

Having replaced the rack assembly bushings, I drove the car. As a result, I realized: it was not possible to remove the knocking noises. Then I decided to tighten the adjusting nut on the rail. I would like to point out that I did something wrong earlier - I set the nut in the same position in which I twisted it. I tightened the adjusting nut and took the car for a spin. I was convinced that it was possible to remove almost all the knocks, except those coming from the stabilizer rubber bands.

I'm happy with the result - the rack doesn't knock at all. It is his own fault that the stabilizer rubber bands rattle when hitting speed bumps at an angle. It was necessary to change them at the same time when performing the previous operations in order to remove the fault.

Price issue

A new rail will cost you about 3 thousand rubles. The cost of service stations for replacing slats costs about 2 thousand rubles. That is, in total you will have to spend 5 thousand rubles if you entrust the work to the masters.

Repair kit

However, the rack is not difficult to repair. Most VAZ 2114 owners perform this event with their own hands. Plus a decent saving of money.

Purpose and necessary checks of the vehicle control system

The transmission of force to the rotary arms from the steering mechanism is carried out using rods, which are part of the so-called trapezoid. This node consists of:

• gearbox;
• long rod;
• pendulum lever;
• two long tips;
• two short tips;
• two clamping devices with tie clamps.

The main malfunctions of the control system in VAZ models. Controllability, comfort and safety of movement depend on the listed parts. Therefore, increased attention should be paid to monitoring their condition and the schedule of periodic inspections should not be violated. Some people prefer to trust service station technicians, but if you look into it, such an operation is quite doable at home.

For this purpose, the presence of an inspection hole or overpass will be sufficient. Next we examine:

• condition of rubber boots;
• axial movement of fingers;
• presence of cracks;
• hinges for gaps;
• attaching the pendulum to the body.

Next you need to check the steering play. When swaying left and right, free play is allowed no more than 2 cm. Press the brake pedal and experience the ease of movement of the steering wheel - it should rotate relatively easily.

Renault

To configure this unit on cars of this brand, you will need a short and curved 12-point wrench. Or you can use a flexible adapter with a cable-shaped head.

The engine protection must be removed for the process. Find the bolt. It will be very difficult to see it, and it is located on the back of the part.

If you are using a curved wrench, then feel free to place it over the bolt and carefully tighten it. Adjustment of the Renault steering rack must be carried out under control. Check the steering wheel for knocks and play. Adjust until the knocking stops. When you tighten, don't overdo it.

"Toyota"

How is the steering rack adjusted? Toyota and its maintenance are practically no different from the same operation on other cars. The only difference is that the adjusting elements here are a nut and a counter-nut.

Car enthusiasts say that you need to use a chisel to tighten the lock nut. To twist the adjusting nut, you need a special 24mm hexagon. Again, remember to be careful - you don’t need to use all your force.

Mandatory maintenance of system components

The stability of the front wheels is a prerequisite that affects the stability of the car. Any violation of the settings or failure of one part invariably results in a chain reaction leading to an imbalance of the entire system. That is why the manufacturer provides certain maintenance work

which include:

• cleaning from contaminants;
• wheel alignment;
• worm gear adjustment;
• steering wheel free play control;
• drive check.