q45 lots of play in steering

[saps5789]

I have a 1990 q45 with alot of play in steering at speeds of 50-60.there is also a bad vibration along with the play in steering.I also have a leak in rack that I have to fill up every 2 weeks.Can the rack be causing the play and vibration.

[Q451990]

It could be any number or possibly all of the below:

-Bad Rack-Bad Outer Tie Rod Ends-Bad Inner Tie Rod Ends-Bad rack bushings

and any number of other suspension issues. Typically, assuming you haven't done any suspension maintenence, it's best to just replace every peice of rubber and suspension part under the car to return it to as-new condition. Absent that, you would need to have an experienced suspension tech., preferably familiar with the early Q, look at it.

You might want to post the maintenence history of the suspension and steering system and update your profile with the your year, model, and miles.

Heath

[saps5789]

Thanks for the quick response.everything looks original.Rack,tie rod ends.the car is a 1990 q45 105,000,It started with a leak in the steering about 2 months ago.every 2 weeks the pump started making noise and i added about 6 ounses to fill,then I noticed a bad vibration at about 50 mph.It would go away if I turned steering wheel slightly away from the play in steering.Now the vibration is getting worse and there is alot more play.The position of the steering wheel changes to keep the car straight.

[Q451990]

Remember that there are about three high pressure and two low pressure hoses in the P/S system, so leaks in any of those can cause your leak - besides the possibility of an actual leak in the rack. The racks are pretty much bulletproof if the rubber tie rod boots aren't allowed to rip and let grit and water in to destroy the seals, and the fluid is exchanged regularly. With your leak, at least you know the fluid is fresh!

The vibrations sound like you're low on P/S fluid again, or that you have air in the system? You can check for high pressure leaks by having someone turn the steering wheel to the stop while the car is idling... don't hold for more than a few seconds. If it's a high pressure leak you will see it... even the smallest hole will become evident under that kind of pressure.

If you don't have your factory service manual, I would download one at http://www.phatg20.net - the suspension and steering systems didn't change much (other than the gear ratio) during the entire model run.

Heath

[maxnix]

Sounds like a case of deferred PS maintenance gone too far. When did you last change the PS fluid? I mean completely?

Is the rest of the suspension similarly behind?

[saps5789]

It only started vibrating when the play in steering got worse.Could the vibration be that when im going 50-60 the wheels are moving back & forth on the own because of excesseve play.I do see fluid leaking out of rack seals because the boots are torn.Maybe I should Change the rack and tie rod ends.Is there anything else that can cause vibration in the steering such as a steering box or the ps solinoid or power steeing pump.I wish I found this web site before I bought a q45.I already changed timing guides,injectors,fuel pump, fuel control box.I had car repainted new wheels.I love car but every month something else goes wrong.Anyway thank you for all your all.

[sdkhalsa]

The first thing that I would check are the rubber bushings holding the rack and pinion unit in place. With the car jacked up, have a friend turn the wheel from lock to lock. Note whether the rack and pinion unit shifts from side to side. With bad bushings a common symptom is that upon coming out of a turn the steering wheel will not return to center.

[maxnix]

Check everything with rubber in it, but start with tension rod bushings and upperlinks. Really impossible to diagnose anything when worn out parts are employed. Very easy with all new parts.