Steering play

[DavidF]

After 2 front end specialists looked over my territory and could not address the clunking in the front end. I decided to upgraded the territory front end with a SY2 front end myself.

 

Previous owner told me that the car had quite a bit of front end work but was quite shocked in what I found when pulling the front end apart.

 

Rubbers on drive shafts were new but incorrectly installed and broken

Drivers side 36mm nut that holds the driveshaft was very loose. May I dare say hand tight.

Bearings on drive shaft just fell out once removed. Bearings were in very bad condition.

Wheel bearing made no noise but passenger side had quite ALOT of play in it. Driver side bearing had slight play.

All ball joints were in poor condition.

Front saddle has had all bushes replaced. that's a win.

 

Work completed.

 

SY2 Front knuckle hub and ball joint 

New wheel bearings

Caster arms bushes and ball joints

Lower control arms and bushes

Upper ball joints

Drive shafts

Front diff oil change

 

Took it for its 1st run today and feels ALOT nicer to drive and is a pleasure not hearing noises from the front end.

 

While the steering is a huge improvement it still has some slight play in it that I would like too address.

 

I know nothing about steering and would like some advice as to how best to tackle my next task.

 

Cheers in advance.

Edited 30/12/20 10:00 AM by DavidF

[k31th]

well, try driving a different SY2 territory and see if it has more play in yours, inspect the relevant steering parts to see if there's a bit of slop in the gearing or intermediate arm in yours vs the other one. If it's the same, don't worry about it haha

[Puffwagon]

The stuff you replaced isn't really steering specific, but as you've noted has tightened up the front end.

 

Look into rack ends and tie rods for steering play. Unlikely but possible is play in the steering rack itself.

[joncitizen]

Check the intermediate shaft on the firewall to rack and the bolt holding at the bottom of the steering column, this is what was the cause in my BF Falcon... so could be something to consider.

Edited 30/12/20 01:58 PM by joncitizen

[DavidF]

I have changed the ball joints in my BF ute as front end was making noises and steering had slight play in it. While it is a improvement the cars steering seems to have the same issue as the territory but getting worse.

 

Unlike the territory I am able to see the shaft to the firewall and hear it making noises. I will further inspect the territories shaft on the weekend.

 

Thanks for your good directions.