Slack in the steering, name this part

[silvachris1]

There is a universal joint on the steering shaft under the hood. Looks like this:


The part I'm trying to find a name/part number for is in the center of the picture, where the 2 shafts are coupled. In the 1st picture, you can see that theres a bearing cap or something missing from the u-joint thing. I know on the earlier cars there was a rag joint there instead of this setup, but I've got a 99 model. Please help. The car drives like crap right now. It wonders all over the road and it's twitchy when correcting its course. There's also a bearing setup on the column near the firewall that is worn out, I'm gonna get one of those soon too and do this all at once, and then get it realigned, but right now I need to know what the part IS that I'm trying to replace.

[silvachris1]

Re: Slack in the steering, name this part

Anybody have and ideas? I changed the links to show the pics now so those who just popped in to see can actually see without having to look around. HELP please.

[hockeyman]

Re: Slack in the steering, name this part

The service manuals I am looking at identify the unit as the "shaft assembly, steering gear coupling", and the universal joint (the part which you are referring to) is identified as the "centering sphere". My manual is for a 1996 Camaro though. It doesn't look as though you can buy the components seperately. You may have to buy it as a whole shaft with the universal joint already attached.

Hope this helps...

Is it that loose?? Like, when you turn the wheel, can you see alot of play in the coupling?

[silvachris1]

Re: Slack in the steering, name this part

Centering sphere, steering gear coupling. I reckon those names will help me when I'm trying to find the part somewhere. Yeah, it's extremely loose. Think of the bearing caps that go on u-joints, one of them is completely gone on this joint. I have about 2 inches of play in the steering wheel back or forth, and the car walks all over the road. It acts like its trying to bind because of that thing or something, and the bearing at the firewall is worn out too. I guess I take the corners too hard with these 275s on here. But yeah, it's mentally exhausting to drive, you've got to constantly correct the car every couple seconds and if you're not careful, the correction will let the car jump into the next lane or to the shoulder. It's just really really twitchy and unpredictable right now. I've found the shaft assembly online for pretty cheap, but it's used so I dunno if I'm gettin in the same boat again or not.

[Tech]

Re: Slack in the steering, name this part

That is part of your steering column.

[silvachris1]

Re: Slack in the steering, name this part

That is part of your steering column.

Yes, yes it is.

[hockeyman]

Re: Slack in the steering, name this part

lmao!

[Camaro Dom]

Re: Slack in the steering, name this part

wow... :slap:

[silvachris1]

Re: Slack in the steering, name this part

So the dealer wants to sell me the the shaft assembly for 220 bucks or so. I'm gonna get a used one from a V8 on ebay and see if I can make it work.....I guess.

EDIT:
Got the part number from the dealer, and wen to www.GMPartsDirect.com. I got the shaft/coupler assembly, the bearing at the firewall, the clip, and 2 other steering related bearing/bushing type things. Can't tell ya the name, but I know the number. Got all 5 parts for 230 shipped, just 10 dollars more than the dealership wanted for one part.

[CamaroRob97]

Re: Slack in the steering, name this part

The v8 one might work, The Rack/pinon and everything is in the same spot. Suppose its work a shot, but I would make sure before you buy it though. See if there the same part # from GM,

[silvachris1]

Re: Slack in the steering, name this part

The v8 one might work, The Rack/pinon and everything is in the same spot. Suppose its work a shot, but I would make sure before you buy it though. See if there the same part # from GM,

They were different part numbers... unfortunately. I think the V8 one has to curve outward a little bit to get past the manifold or something. I dunno, but there is a little less room under the hood of a V8 car.

[silvachris1]

Re: Slack in the steering, name this part

Well, for what it's worth. The new steering shaft and bearing solved the problem. Thanks guys.