07-07-2014, 12:59 PM | #1 |
USMC OIF 06-08
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How to tighten up steering
Hi guys. I have a 2014 Camaro SS/RS. I love the car. I am going on a road trip in three weeks and will be hitting some mountain roads. For around town it isn't bad but I can't help but notice how much play is in the steering.
What do I have to do to get this tightened up so I can't turn the steering wheel much without the car moving in that direction? I have looked into sway bars, strut braces etc. I don't think the ride is that bad but I would just like to tighten the steering up and get rid of the play in it. |
07-07-2014, 01:18 PM | #2 |
Drives: zl1 Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Florida
Posts: 79
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your car should drive perfect if you have a good aligment and well balanced whells and tires.
check all that first. look for real professionals to check for aligments, not a pepboys guy. |
07-07-2014, 01:19 PM | #3 | |
knows 2 facts about ducks
Drives: ...and they're both wrong Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: The HMS Invincible
Posts: 25,072
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Quote:
Alignment shouldn't affect how tight your steering feels. |
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07-07-2014, 01:19 PM | #4 |
USMC OIF 06-08
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The car drives fine, there is just play in the steering that I am wanting to get rid of.
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07-07-2014, 02:04 PM | #5 |
2010 2SS/RS M6
Drives: 2010 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Auckland, NZ
Posts: 1,482
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+1 to the Stig. Radius rod bushings. You can also replace the steering rack bushing while you're in there too for only $30 more. They make inserts if you don't want to do a full replacement.
I went with the Prothane inserts and steering rack bushing from JDP motorsports. I think it only cost $40 for the parts and had them installed in my garage in an hour or so. Steering rack: http://www.jdpmotorsports.com/manufa...amaro-ss-7-703 Inserts: http://www.jdpmotorsports.com/manufa...amaro-ss-7-239 If you prefer the full bushing: http://www.jdpmotorsports.com/manufa...amaro-ss-7-238
__________________
2/7/2014: 419 hp, 419 tq
Cosmetic: ZL1 front w/mailslot, painted stripes, powdercoated SS rims, tow hook, and full chrome delete Suspension: Pfadt subframe bushings, Pfadt rear UCA bushings, Z28 Upper control arms, Spohn trailing arms with BMR trailing arm & differential bushings, ZL1 Toe Rods and springs, Prothane radius arm inserts & steering rack bushing, Pfadt Sport front sway, FE4 conversion w/ DS rear sway, Pfadt strut brace Drivetrain: RMCR tune, CAI intake, Kooks headers, hi-flo cats & exhaust, VMAX TB, ZL1 fuel pump, LSR Tri-Ax shifter Bumblebee Racecar Build |
07-07-2014, 02:33 PM | #6 |
USMC OIF 06-08
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Thanks gents for the info. At least I know what I am looking for.
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07-07-2014, 02:39 PM | #7 |
Drives: His Wife Crazy Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Silas Deane Auto,CT Name: Rob Anderson
Posts: 1,789
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if the toe is out in the front or the rear it can effect how the steering feels not so much looseness, but unresponsiveness, when was the last alignment done?
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07-07-2014, 03:37 PM | #8 |
USMC OIF 06-08
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My camaro is brand new. 1k miles.
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07-07-2014, 03:49 PM | #9 |
Drives: His Wife Crazy Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Silas Deane Auto,CT Name: Rob Anderson
Posts: 1,789
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Play in steering = sitting stopped, with the car off (no dash lights on) but the wheel unlocked, wiggle the wheel, if you don't feel any 'looseness' it's not loose steering.
it's a bit of a terminology thing, Loose steering means excessive play in the linkage causing the tires to move when the steering wheel doesn't, and vise versa. (which i don't think you have, but anything is possible, like a loose coupler bolt or something.) Unresponsive steering means that the linkage is tight, and the wheels are controlled 100% by the steering wheel, but due to the alignment settings can cause the feel of the car at speed to be less responsive than it should. Just because the car is new doesn't mean there isn't something wrong, or that the alignment is good. I don't know the exact numbers, but only 1 in every 50 or so cars is 'aligned', the they typically batch align them by doing one car, then the next batch of 25 or 50 or what ever gets the same settings, but they never see an actual alignment. It's something that isn't that hard to verify, ask the dealer that you bought it from to check the alignment and print it out for you. i'm sure they will. |
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