[HotRodMex]

When turing my steering wheel from lock to lock, while stopped, I can feel the play in the steering wheel in the brake pedal as a light tap. Under hard braking, I am also getting some vibration. I've already planned on replacing the Inner and outer tierod ends this next paycheck. Is there something else down there I should look at or tighten? A u-joint or mounting plate?

 

[franckdu61]

i would say check your brake discs if you have vibrations under hard braking. there could be a little warp on them.

 

[RickPerryGT]

if your tie rod ends are worn out, and you have some warpage in the rotors, you will feel it in the brake pedal and in the wheel. it will feel like someone is hitting the tire with a hammer, since there is play in the middle, you only feel when it hits the end of its play.

check your tie rod ends for play and fubar'd boots

 

[HotRodMex]

I don't think I explained it right. If I am sitting still, when I turn the wheel back and forth, that's when it feels like something is banging around on or near the firewall that I can feel in the pedal (exactly when the steering wheel meets the end of the play in it, not the end of the range of motion of the steering system itself),

As far as durring braking, I believe it has more to do with the tierods and not the rotors. The rotors were new in August, and even the previous ones with more than 2 years of use on them didn't shudder when I had them.

 

[Zach]

i think i need to change my right outer tie rod...let me know how easy it is...but it sounds like you're on the right track. i get a clunking noise sometimes out of the right side during turns and going over large speedbumps or changes in terrain.

 

[RickPerryGT]

if you say you feel something on the firewall, then perhaps look on the firewall for something loose? i know i sound like an ass when i say that, but just to make sure you've considered it. that being said, i'd check your steering rack bushings/mounts as well as the swaybar mounts/bushings for play or loose bolts

 

[MazdaMan069]

I have the same thing going on. When stopped, you can feel it in the brake pedal. Kind of like the u-joint is rubbing the pedal assembly..

 

[Zach]

could be that the u-joint in the steering rack when bad and/or steering rack has loosened from the firewall. i still need to get mine on a rack to verify that this is going on with mine. because I hear mine outside AND in the firewall at the same time...

 

[HotRodMex]

if you say you feel something on the firewall, then perhaps look on the firewall for something loose? i know i sound like an ass when i say that, but just to make sure you've considered it. that being said, i'd check your steering rack bushings/mounts as well as the swaybar mounts/bushings for play or loose bolts

It's really hard for a portly man to get under there and see without use of a lift, so I was hoping somone had experience in the area. Who has a manual that can scan? I remember someone used to have a webste up but I can't remember who.

 

[magik8]

I would first check the tie rod ends and inner tie rods for play. Also might want to consider ball joints. Hopefully it is not a problem with the steering rack.

 

[HotRodMex]

I would first check the tie rod ends and inner tie rods for play. Also might want to consider ball joints. Hopefully it is not a problem with the steering rack.

I"m definitely going to order new inner and outter ends. 197k on the clock I figure I'm lucky they haven't completley dissovled already. Is there a steering rack bushing or mount bushings? I've looked at the steering gear while someones bounced the steering wheel back and forth, and I couldn't see any play in the tie rods, which makes me think it is either the u-joints in the steering shaft, the gears in the rack, or dead fluid in the rack. Is there a spot near the firewall where the steering shaft attaches as a support point?

 

[AdderMk2]

I don't think I explained it right. If I am sitting still, when I turn the wheel back and forth, that's when it feels like something is banging around on or near the firewall that I can feel in the pedal (exactly when the steering wheel meets the end of the play in it, not the end of the range of motion of the steering system itself),

check your upper strut mounts... when i turn my wheel lock to lock at a stop, i can hear a banging.... well.. i could until i changed the mounts

 

[HotRodMex]

check your upper strut mounts... when i turn my wheel lock to lock at a stop, i can hear a banging.... well.. i could until i changed the mounts

The mounts were fine when I removed them (10k on NOS mounts to camber plates), and it has been doing this for a while. And it's not lock to lock, just in testing the play in the wheel.

 

[Dyoel182]

I have the same kinda play and am almost positive its my outer tie rods. The boots are gone I just havent picked a day to replace them and get the car re-aligned.

 

[MazdaMiester]

Is the steering wheel feel the same from lock to lock? it doesnt get particularly hard or soft quickly(i understand that the further you turn it could get harder to turn)

To me it sounds like it could be nearly anything in the steering system, but more or less related to the column/rack and where they meet and since the rack and column are both directly and indirectly bolted to the firewall, you'll feel it in the brake pedeal. you might be feeling the play of an inner tie rod, or you might have developed play in the U-joint. I had to replace the Ujoint on my mx6 at 161k, it wasnt too hard at all. Take out your drivers seat and lay on your back with your lower dash panel removed, watch the Ujoint and wiggle the wheel...thats how i found out mine was the culprit.

Edit: i found mine was a problem after 3/4 of a steering wheel revolution, wiggling didnt do squat

-Eric