Excess Steering wheel travel... Do the 88 GT's have a steering rag joint? (Page 2/2)
fierogt28 JAN 11, 10:19 PM
Double post...

[This message has been edited by fierogt28 (edited 01-11-2024).]

fierogt28 JAN 11, 10:27 PM
Yes, better access for sure...but there is a yellow / orange boot over it.

To replace this shaft you need to un-tighten the pinch bolt under the dash, and the other
pinch bolt on the steering rack, and finally pull the steering rack.

4 metric bolts hold the rack in place, plus remove the outer tie-rods from the knuckles.

Then pull it out carefully.
phils88GT JAN 11, 10:46 PM
If it does have the rag joint and not the u-joint type shaft, could this cause most of my steering issues? Like the issue with the excessive slop in the steering and the way it likes to stay going in the direction it is turned even after you let go of the wheel?
jelly2m8 JAN 12, 02:24 AM
I've seen an 88 Non-Rag joint steering shaft that was loose in the Rubber encased isolator, so yes it's possible one could have steering play between the steering wheel and the rack.

The rag joint style is more reliable.

[This message has been edited by jelly2m8 (edited 01-12-2024).]

phils88GT JAN 29, 08:22 AM
So I finally got a chance to look into this issue deeper today. I pulled the front tub and found nothing out of the normal. The boot was on the shaft and everything looked good. And, yes, my 88 GT does have a rag joint instead of the u-joint style.

I got up under the dash and while looking at the steering shaft, I rocked the wheel back and forth and found the steering wheel slop issue. Whoever installed the replacement column neglected to tighten down the pinch bolt all of the way, and the shaft was rocking back and forth. I tightened it up, went for a test drive and the problem was solved!!

Thanks everyone for all of your help here!! I learned a lot here!
82-T/A [At Work] JAN 29, 08:35 AM
Is there any benefit to this newer design? I can't remember, but does the 88 Fiero have the steering damper / shock absorber too, or did they eliminate that for 88? (I've never had an 88).

I'm just curious if this is a potential upgrade for older Fieros... though to be honest, I've always loved the Fiero's steering. It's been better in my opinion than any other car I've ever owned... even my manual-rack 84 Porsche 944.
phils88GT JAN 29, 08:40 AM
From my questions on the forum and research, Pontiac eliminated the steering damper from the rack for 88. Mine didn’t have it.
82-T/A [At Work] JAN 29, 09:01 AM

quote
Originally posted by phils88GT:

From my questions on the forum and research, Pontiac eliminated the steering damper from the rack for 88. Mine didn’t have it.




Ok, that possibly makes sense then. I've driven an 84-87 Fiero where the shock failed... and it's brutal. Every little bump can jar the steering wheel out of your hand. So it would make sense that this rubber isolator in the 88's Fiero steering rack was likely meant to help isolate some of that.
theogre JAN 29, 11:37 AM
GM deleted the damper on 88 mainly for cost to make reasons.

Many remove them on older cars but is not helping the current or future drivers.
Because Damper working does not affect steering in normal driving but if you hit angle RR crossing & worse then keeps steering wheel from yanking out of your hands or worse hurting you.
That's because Caster on many cars not just Fiero w/o PS are set very low to 1-2° max.

If you look @ alignment spec for Ford 70's Maverick, Pinto & more that had PS as an Expensive Option, Caster often changes with & w/o Power Steering. Because can steer @ low speeds w/ PS & higher Caster.