Steering wheel play

[kurtdnelson]

My steering wheel on 20SF has lots of play. What is the simple fix?

[McGillicuddy]

Really depends on what type of steering you have. Steering cable may be loose or shot. Get new cable they're about $80-100.

If it has hydraulic steering you may be low on fluid or air pressure or both. Old Hynautic units had a reservoir that needed varying amounts of air pressure. Simple as pumping them up with a bicycle pump.

Post some pics of your steering elements maybe someone can be more specific.

Good luck.

[kurtdnelson]

No hydraulics, it turns fine but the wheel wiggles a lot up and down. I hink it just needs to be tightened up or add a washer. Does this sound correct?

[BigLew]

My steering wheel on 20SF has lots of play. What is the simple fix?

When you say "play", what do you mean? Is the wheel and its mount moving in you hands as if it is not securely attached to the console or do you mean that there is some "dead" movement of the wheel as you turn it from the left to the right? Two different problems.

The first is that the wheel and its hub assemly need to be re anchored to the console in some fashion. The second indicates that there needs to be some correctiove action regarding the connections (steering cables for mechanical steering or hydraulic hoses and hydraulic fluid in hydraulic steering).

Mechanical system: generally new cables or adjustment of cable tensioning (springs). Think adjusting the brake shoes on drum brakes.

Hydraulic steering: either you have a leak that is allowing air into the system or your hoses are shot/damaged or the central control hub or steering ram(back at the engine) have leaking seal(s) or air that needs to be bled. Think "Bleed the brake lines on a car's breaking system.)

I hope this helps describe the problem. Let us know. There are a lot of guys on here with extensive experienc with each/both and will be happy to help.

[kurtdnelson]

definitely the first , it is loose. There is no play. Do I just take off the steering wheel and reattach?

[kurtdnelson]

Does anyone have the parts list (IPL) for the steering wheel attachment before I "dig in"?

[BigLew]

Truk,

Can you get pictures?

Are there anchoring bolts missing at the steering hub? Is the console matirial itself broken down in some way? Maybe water intrusion and the rotting of the coring between the layers of fiberglass?

Let's first try to identify what is really happening and start from there.