play in steering

[John B]

Hi all, I've noticed that there is some free play in the steering of my terrano and feels worse when engine is not running about 4 inch each way without feeling any resistance at all and have found it on an old mot as an advisory ??? Thanks

 

[Sweety]

They all have some free play & so do most motors which have a steering box instead of a steering rack but 4" sounds a bit more than normal. IIRC you can reduce the amount of free play in the steering box by turning a bolt on the box I think it is but don't know any more than that but i'm sure someone will know more but you do need a bit of free play

 

[solarman216]

first you need to check that it is not in the ball joints or idler, but the box is adjustable, large nut on top with a slotted adjuster in the middle, but it is easy to take it too far and it can bind if you do, not good, so best done with the wheels in the air and never with the engine running, if to take out the slack you need more than about 2 turns then the box is bad and needs looking at, Rick

 

[John B]

Thank you sweety and rick, when you say check idler is that the part which looks like an arm on bottom of steering box and if so how do you check it cheers John

 

[Lazy-Ferret]

Thank you sweety and rick, when you say check idler is that the part which looks like an arm on bottom of steering box and if so how do you check it cheers John

The Idler is the other side to the box.. Basically an arm that sticks out towards the front of the car, at the front bottom of the passenger wheel arch/chassis

 

[makeitfit]

No the idler is the mini me arm on the other side. It has nylon bushes inside. They can wear and give slop. There are 6 other ball joints too, so check them too.

 

[solarman216]

Oh forgot to say only adjust it in the exact straight ahead position, never even a small amount from this as the box drive is purposely made tighter in the exact straight ahead and slacks just off of this, Rick

 

[John B]

No the idler is the mini me arm on the other side. It has nylon bushes inside. They can wear and give slop. There are 6 other ball joints too, so check them too.

Thanks for that, if the bushes are worn can they be replaced

 

[makeitfit]

Yep, I guess Nissan :thumbs

 

[Sweety]

Thanks for that, if the bushes are worn can they be replaced

I know they can get new bushes for them in the US but not sure about the UK, but if the idler has gone I don't think their to badly priced

 

[makeitfit]

I had some bushes made up a few years back and flogged them off on here. If you get stuck I can get some more turned up :sly

 

[rustic]

4" of play... the accepted norm is 35 mm so about 3 x what is normal.

So worn parts as already suggested.

Also check the flexible coupling under the bonnet, it looks like a rubber ring making up a type of universal joint. follow the steering wheel shaft, before it goes into the steering box. I have never heard of any problems here, but you never know.


Rustic

 

[bry]

If you get the idler arm from Milners.You may have to drill the holes a little.(Not a major problem)I replaced mine,along with the steering arm last year.

 

[John B]

Thanks to everyone for your help :thumb2

 

[davis8008]

did you get this sorted john? mines got a fair bit of play in it aswell, looking for heads up where to start :thumb2

 

[John B]

Not yet mate I'm just going to replace all the ball joints so I know there ok :thumb2