Steering wheel free-play on center

[C-Mack]

I’ve noticed the steering wheel on center free-play seems to be increasing a bit as things break in. Curious if others have noticed the same as the dead spot before you feel any resistance in the steering while turning it slightly left or right off center seems to be growing (about a half inch of free movement either side of center for about an inch or so overall measuring front top center strip of the steering wheel. It certainly didn’t feel this way when I picked the vehicle up new. That said, I’ve only got about 320 miles on it now and worried this is too much free-play to have so soon.

I’m also curious if there is a provision for adjusting the steering box free-play for down the road? I’ve had old Land Rovers and there was usually an adjuster w/lock nut on the top of the steering box for fine tune adjustments as things wear.

 

[Quartermaster]

Like the older G-Wagons. Indeed it would be interesting, if it is that easy with the Grenadier as well.

 

[anand]

If anything I think mine decreased with mileage if ever so slightly, but then again, my drive home from the dealer was >900 miles.

With that being said, I've always just considered the free play to be a byproduct of a steering box, and never given it a second thought or felt that it was excessive

 

[ORSO]

I'm also interested in how to adjust the steering pump to reduce free play on center.

 

[GrenX]

For our clients we just change to our Bilstein steering damper replacement and the free play is resolved. I will have a play with the steering pump in the next couple months to see if there is anymore noticeable improvement.

 

[Zimm]

Mine is in the shop this week and it’s an issue I ADDED after driving home the loaner. I thought mine had loosened, and after after a few hundred in this, there’s no doubt. MUCH less fatigued after the 4 hr drive back, the same day. Mine has 9000, this has 6000. Close enough to judge.

 

[carpetman]

I had the exact same experience yesterday. The loaner had no dead zone, while my Grenadier has about 1". It got added to the list, lets see what happens.