steering noise/issue - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

Johnny5 · 06-27-2015

I am experiencing some sloppyness in my steering right at top center of the wheel. It feels as if it has a few inches of play (not responsive enough, my 1994 LT1 was definitely more responsive hence why i think something is worn) and it is more noticeable at higher speeds. Also i turned the wheel back and forth with the car off and something is making a knock noise. My brother thinks it may be a worn steering box. Anyone have any experience or advice with these symptoms?

We Gone · 06-27-2015

You may want to check the steering rod coupling and tie rod ends. You have rack and pinion steering (no steering box) and yes it can ware out.

Johnny5 · 06-27-2015

Thanks, how would i go about checking that to see what to replace?

We Gone · 06-27-2015

Have a buddy move the steering wheel while you check for whats lose or where the play is. Do it with and with out the car running. Jack up each wheel and check for play.

lbszr · 06-27-2015

If it turns out to be the rack and pinion, turnone-steering.com seems to have a good reputation for rebuilding. I found a rebuilt on at rock auto without a core. I'll be sending my original to turnone.

If I rock the steering wheel with it not running, mine has a knock from in the rack with the old and rebuilt, but the play is gone.

Johnny5 · 06-28-2015

maybe the knock is normal for this rack and pinion but I am almost certain the play is not. The response should definitely be sharper than what I am experiencing. I have to check everything out/jack up the front 2 wheels when I have time.

Is the steering in our ZR1s any different than the base C4? and is rebuilding our rack and pinions the only option? (no new offered?)

Turn-one steering looks great but I am in NJ. If I have to pay to rebuild the system Id rather just bring the car somewhere in NJ instead of taking everything apart and paying for shipping twice. Does anyone know of good shops in or around NJ?

batchman · 06-29-2015

Humbly suggest it will probably be easier to spot the play with some load on the tires, in other words try checking before jacking it up.

Good luck,
- Jeff

Johnny5 · 06-29-2015

Where can i buy a rag joint "hockey puck" version that the Z51 had? Anyone have part nimber for zr1 rag joint and the faster z51 rag joint "hockey puck" Is it direct replacement? And hiw hard is it to change? Other members claim there car always had some slop or lack of responsiveness in the steering but I'm hoping I find play in this joint so I can get better steering response.

Johnny5 · 06-29-2015

I spoke to Marc Heibeck and he recommended checking the bolt that holds the rack and pinion together under the power steering pump first. He also said the pop sound is normal when you turn the wheel. I will update you later this week. If that is not it I will check that rag joint (although marc says they rarely go bad), and so on...

Johnny5 · 07-02-2015

I think that is just the way these cars were made. I did not see any play when checking it with my brother/father and the everything looks to be in good shape. I heard people saying that is normal so young kids dont fly off the road at 175. I am going to drive a members car to be sure and see if it feels the same. I guess i am just kind of anal and want this thing to be running perfect.

06-27-2015	#1
Johnny5 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: New Jersey Posts: 363	steering noise/issue I am experiencing some sloppyness in my steering right at top center of the wheel. It feels as if it has a few inches of play (not responsive enough, my 1994 LT1 was definitely more responsive hence why i think something is worn) and it is more noticeable at higher speeds. Also i turned the wheel back and forth with the car off and something is making a knock noise. My brother thinks it may be a worn steering box. Anyone have any experience or advice with these symptoms?

06-27-2015	#2
We Gone Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: ATL. GA. Posts: 2,170	Re: steering noise/issue You may want to check the steering rod coupling and tie rod ends. You have rack and pinion steering (no steering box) and yes it can ware out. __________________ Steve 1990 Steel Blue/Black #2355 1990 Red/Red #1473 1991 Quasar /Black #118 Sold 1991 Turquoise/Black #766 Parted Out 1993 Yellow/White #179 Sold 1990 Black/Gray #1361 Headers/4:10s Sold

06-27-2015	#3
Johnny5 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: New Jersey Posts: 363	Re: steering noise/issue Thanks, how would i go about checking that to see what to replace?

06-27-2015	#4
We Gone Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: ATL. GA. Posts: 2,170	Re: steering noise/issue Have a buddy move the steering wheel while you check for whats lose or where the play is. Do it with and with out the car running. Jack up each wheel and check for play. __________________ Steve 1990 Steel Blue/Black #2355 1990 Red/Red #1473 1991 Quasar /Black #118 Sold 1991 Turquoise/Black #766 Parted Out 1993 Yellow/White #179 Sold 1990 Black/Gray #1361 Headers/4:10s Sold

06-27-2015	#5
lbszr Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: dayton,ohio Posts: 425	Re: steering noise/issue If it turns out to be the rack and pinion, turnone-steering.com seems to have a good reputation for rebuilding. I found a rebuilt on at rock auto without a core. I'll be sending my original to turnone. If I rock the steering wheel with it not running, mine has a knock from in the rack with the old and rebuilt, but the play is gone. __________________ [FONT=Comic Sans MS][COLOR=red]"I wanna go fast!!"[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Comic Sans MS][COLOR=#ff0000]-- Ricky Bobby[/COLOR][/FONT]

06-28-2015	#6
Johnny5 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: New Jersey Posts: 363	Re: steering noise/issue maybe the knock is normal for this rack and pinion but I am almost certain the play is not. The response should definitely be sharper than what I am experiencing. I have to check everything out/jack up the front 2 wheels when I have time. Is the steering in our ZR1s any different than the base C4? and is rebuilding our rack and pinions the only option? (no new offered?) Turn-one steering looks great but I am in NJ. If I have to pay to rebuild the system Id rather just bring the car somewhere in NJ instead of taking everything apart and paying for shipping twice. Does anyone know of good shops in or around NJ? Last edited by Johnny5; 06-28-2015 at 01:02 PM.

06-29-2015	#7
batchman Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: I live at Devens, one run at a time Posts: 455	Re: steering noise/issue Humbly suggest it will probably be easier to spot the play with some load on the tires, in other words try checking before jacking it up. Good luck, - Jeff __________________ [I]91 ZR-1 #1840, autocrossing in SCCA BSP. FIC S/S's DRM chip/Watson/Borla/lid/LW batt&headlights, springs, shocks, pads & lines, quick rack & Turn One, camber brace, 32/22mm sways, A/C halfway deleted 17x11 & 12 CCW's, 315 & 335 Hoosier A6s [/I]

06-29-2015	#8
Johnny5 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: New Jersey Posts: 363	Re: steering noise/issue Where can i buy a rag joint "hockey puck" version that the Z51 had? Anyone have part nimber for zr1 rag joint and the faster z51 rag joint "hockey puck" Is it direct replacement? And hiw hard is it to change? Other members claim there car always had some slop or lack of responsiveness in the steering but I'm hoping I find play in this joint so I can get better steering response. Last edited by Johnny5; 06-29-2015 at 12:38 PM.

06-29-2015	#9
Johnny5 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: New Jersey Posts: 363	Re: steering noise/issue I spoke to Marc Heibeck and he recommended checking the bolt that holds the rack and pinion together under the power steering pump first. He also said the pop sound is normal when you turn the wheel. I will update you later this week. If that is not it I will check that rag joint (although marc says they rarely go bad), and so on... Last edited by Johnny5; 06-29-2015 at 01:38 PM.

07-02-2015	#10
Johnny5 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: New Jersey Posts: 363	Re: steering noise/issue I think that is just the way these cars were made. I did not see any play when checking it with my brother/father and the everything looks to be in good shape. I heard people saying that is normal so young kids dont fly off the road at 175. I am going to drive a members car to be sure and see if it feels the same. I guess i am just kind of anal and want this thing to be running perfect.