How much is too much
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
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How much is too much
I am still looking at my "light" front end at highway speeds. The steering shaft has a U-joint arrangement (I'm sure it has a better name) about halfway down the shaft to the steering rack. I grabbed both sides of the joint and I have play in it. I get about 3/8" play from side to side (non-rotational, Just "give" in the joint itself, and about 1/4" rotational play. This is without "vice-grips". I would consider this to be fairly severe "slop", but, if it is "normal" wear, I really think I would rather not take on the steering column this winter. My question: is this a normal amount of play for the steering shaft "u-joint"? I have a wandering front end at 75 MPH and I am trying to sort things out. thanks in advance. chad
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 169
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I have had this Aerostar for about a month. Still sorting out my inital plan of attack. I have done 6 seperate 200 mile highway runs. 75 MPH with cruise set in Virginia rolling hills. 21MPG (low/no cargo weight). I am leaning towards a complete rebuild of the front end, (bearings, u/l ball joints, u/l control arm bushings, sway bar bushings, springs, shocks, tie rod ends, steering box and now steering shaft. Except for the steering box, all parts are cheap and moog has some "problem solver" parts that I believe are better than OEM. Once I have my list, I will collect the parts, pick a weekend, and do it all in one pass. When I'm done, I will turn it over to the alignment guys to do their thing. Front end should be "better than new" when I am done.
