steering wheel play

[Ozziljian]

Before I dig into the steering column, I figured I ask to see if anyone else has dealt with this before. My steering wheel has some play in it. Measuring the amount of play that the wheel jumps before it starts to turn mechanism under the hood, would be about 5 or so minutes if relating it to a clock face.
Anyone know what it will take to get rid of that steering wheel studder?

Thanks

 

[frank_nesta]

Probably the steering box, but could be the rag joint or the idler arm. Grab the steering shaft above the rag joint and turn from left to right. Look where your your play is. If the rag joint is moving the same as the shaft look at the steering box. Look below and see if there is play any of the steering linkage. The other obvious place to look is the idler arm. Grab on to it and if it has play. Jack the car up and grab the tire at the top and bottom and rock back and forth. Should not have a lot of play here. I am trying to remember but, no more than 1/4". Someone correct me if this is too much.

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

If you've got power steering, the free play must be measured with the engine running.