Excessive play in steering linkage

[round_midnight]

Thought I would post this info in case the problem exists in other BDRs.

Since my car was new, I have thought that the handling was not quite right, especially when going in a straight line. The car seemed to dart back and forth. Well, I found the problem, and it's simple to fix. I found that there was a lot of free play in the steering at the joint where the fixed steering shaft joins to the u-joint on the articulated shaft that goes down to the steering rack. The free play was around 1/2" at the rim of the steering wheel. The shaft of the yoke of the upper u-joint slides into the hollow steering shaft and is fixed with two through-bolts at right angles to each other. By tightening the bolts down more, I was able deform the steering shaft slightly and get rid of the free play. It drives like a different car now, no darting and much better control near the limit in turns.

I would be interested to know if the problem exists in other BDRs.

[Lizard_King]

Also mess around with the pounds of pressure in the tires. I have the 17" tires and rated tire pressure @ 36ibs. I have found by dropping the tire pressure to 24 front and back, the car does not feel unstable at ALL!!!! It will make a big difference!!!!!

[uncltodd]

This is an old problem.

#139 had a twitchy wiggly- steering-thing at all speeds, I am running 17's, with sticky Nittos.

I dropped my tire pressure to 18 PSI on all four, totally stable now, if you are worried abaout tire mileage, don't go with my ground setup.

UT

[Trueoo7]

Have had my steering shaft out of the car at least three times now for various reasons and although I did not find those bolts to be loose I have had my share of loose ones, bolts in (caliper) and screws in (gas tank). I've heard it said before here, check every nut and bolt you can get a wrench on. Better safe than sorry !!

Any idea what pressure should be in the 15" tires?