Play in steering

Hardatwork · 03-01-2011, 06:39 PM

I have a 1981 EZGO with about 1 and 1/2 inch play in the steering is there some thing I can do to fix this? It is in the steering control box.

Thanks

Chuck

Hardatwork · 03-01-2011, 08:45 PM

OK did a little research found these parts. Are they the only serviceable parts for my steering box. Rack & Rod Assembly for 1971-1994 EZGO Marathon Models. Thanks for your help.

http://www.buggiesunlimited.com/prod...C%20EZ1%200262

Chuck

penn1 · 03-01-2011, 10:11 PM

Good luck on acquiring it. I called last week and it is on back order. My steering has the same issue.

Dave Box · 03-02-2011, 09:24 AM

There is one on Ebay but at $85 it's a tad expensive.
http://cgi.ebay.com/EZGO-Marathon-19...#ht_2382wt_905
I would get under the cart and check that it is the steering box first. If each swivel point has a tenth of an inch play you will see the same sort of symptoms.
Dave

Hardatwork · 03-02-2011, 01:18 PM

Dave

I consider your opinion to be very accurate so in your opinion do you think the rack and rod assembly would help eliminate the play in my steering? I have checked the tie rods for play and they seam tight. I believe the play is in the steering box. Is there anything else in the steering sector that can cause this problem. Thanks for all of your help.

Chuck

popatop · 03-02-2011, 05:39 PM

Hi Hardatwork, This might be a dumb question but did you grease the gear box at the bottom of the steering by the floorboard, Mine was getting play in it and after I shot some grease in it it tightened up. Just a thought

Hardatwork · 03-02-2011, 08:27 PM

papatop Yes I did. I did some reading hear and saw that recommended and greased everything before I ask about the steering box.Thanks for recommending. I wish it was that simple. Little things that wouldn't bother some guys just make me crazy.

Chuck

Dave Box · 03-03-2011, 08:12 AM

I think for me the first step is to get a friend / partner to gently oscillate the steering wheel whilst you get underneath and look at the steering arm. If you grab hold of it as well you should be able to see as well as feel if there is any play. If you are sure the play is in the box then I would then remove the 5 bolts that hold the top cover and steering column on and remove the assembly. Now you will see the rack and the pinion. The rack is made of a bronze/brass material and it is more probable that it is worn. You should be able to clean some grease out and then see what is happening by jacking up the front and getting someone to move the front wheels to see if there is play between the rack and the pinion. Also remember that the gear on the end of the steering column is a steel to steel connection to the pinion so have a look at the teeth there as well.
Hopefully somewhere in there you will find the worn part.
Two final points,
If you pull the cogs out of the steering box be aware that there are some spring washers in there that keep things tight, do not lose them.
There are two posts in the steering box that the gears sit on. If either is broken you will need a new box.
Good Luck
Dave

Hardatwork · 03-03-2011, 08:44 AM

Dave

Thanks I am going out of town when I get back I will have my wife help and I will fallow your instructions and see what I come up with.

Thank You

Chuck

popatop · 03-03-2011, 09:34 AM

Hi Chuck, I know your cart is a 81, Here is a manual that has a section on Steering I think it should be about the same as yours? Hope this Helps
Popatop
http://www.box.net/shared/ptazkneov1

03-01-2011, 06:39 PM	#1
Hardatwork Gone Wild Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Iowa Posts: 179	Play in steering I have a 1981 EZGO with about 1 and 1/2 inch play in the steering is there some thing I can do to fix this? It is in the steering control box. Thanks Chuck

03-01-2011, 08:45 PM	#2
Hardatwork Gone Wild Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Iowa Posts: 179	Re: Play in steering OK did a little research found these parts. Are they the only serviceable parts for my steering box. Rack & Rod Assembly for 1971-1994 EZGO Marathon Models. Thanks for your help. http://www.buggiesunlimited.com/prod...C%20EZ1%200262 Chuck

03-01-2011, 10:11 PM	#3
penn1 Not Yet Wild Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 12	Re: Play in steering Good luck on acquiring it. I called last week and it is on back order. My steering has the same issue.
penn1 Not Yet Wild Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 12

03-02-2011, 09:24 AM	#4
Dave Box Respect the Cart Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rocky Mount, Virginia Posts: 2,190	Re: Play in steering There is one on Ebay but at $85 it's a tad expensive. http://cgi.ebay.com/EZGO-Marathon-19...#ht_2382wt_905 I would get under the cart and check that it is the steering box first. If each swivel point has a tenth of an inch play you will see the same sort of symptoms. Dave

03-02-2011, 01:18 PM	#5
Hardatwork Gone Wild Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Iowa Posts: 179	Re: Play in steering Dave I consider your opinion to be very accurate so in your opinion do you think the rack and rod assembly would help eliminate the play in my steering? I have checked the tie rods for play and they seam tight. I believe the play is in the steering box. Is there anything else in the steering sector that can cause this problem. Thanks for all of your help. Chuck

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03-02-2011, 05:39 PM	#6
popatop Gone Wild Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 894	Re: Play in steering Hi Hardatwork, This might be a dumb question but did you grease the gear box at the bottom of the steering by the floorboard, Mine was getting play in it and after I shot some grease in it it tightened up. Just a thought

03-02-2011, 08:27 PM	#7
Hardatwork Gone Wild Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Iowa Posts: 179	Re: Play in steering papatop Yes I did. I did some reading hear and saw that recommended and greased everything before I ask about the steering box.Thanks for recommending. I wish it was that simple. Little things that wouldn't bother some guys just make me crazy. Chuck

03-03-2011, 08:12 AM	#8
Dave Box Respect the Cart Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rocky Mount, Virginia Posts: 2,190	Re: Play in steering I think for me the first step is to get a friend / partner to gently oscillate the steering wheel whilst you get underneath and look at the steering arm. If you grab hold of it as well you should be able to see as well as feel if there is any play. If you are sure the play is in the box then I would then remove the 5 bolts that hold the top cover and steering column on and remove the assembly. Now you will see the rack and the pinion. The rack is made of a bronze/brass material and it is more probable that it is worn. You should be able to clean some grease out and then see what is happening by jacking up the front and getting someone to move the front wheels to see if there is play between the rack and the pinion. Also remember that the gear on the end of the steering column is a steel to steel connection to the pinion so have a look at the teeth there as well. Hopefully somewhere in there you will find the worn part. Two final points, If you pull the cogs out of the steering box be aware that there are some spring washers in there that keep things tight, do not lose them. There are two posts in the steering box that the gears sit on. If either is broken you will need a new box. Good Luck Dave

03-03-2011, 08:44 AM	#9
Hardatwork Gone Wild Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Iowa Posts: 179	Re: Play in steering Dave Thanks I am going out of town when I get back I will have my wife help and I will fallow your instructions and see what I come up with. Thank You Chuck

03-03-2011, 09:34 AM	#10
popatop Gone Wild Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 894	Re: Play in steering Hi Chuck, I know your cart is a 81, Here is a manual that has a section on Steering I think it should be about the same as yours? Hope this Helps Popatop http://www.box.net/shared/ptazkneov1

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