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Old Dec 4, 2013 | 03:28 PM
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gguillot
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 80
Likes: 1
From: Boerne, TX
Default Sloppy steering...FIXED

If your Crossfire lurches over "tar snakes" or grooves in the pavement and you have changed the steering dampener to no affect, it is probably the steering shaft cinch bolts.

There are two such cinch bolts on the steering column. One is under the dash, the other is where the steering shaft bolts up to the steering gear. I found the one under the dash to be the culprit - the one by the steering box was quite tight.

To tighten it, you may have to remove the bottom most black plastic cover underneath the dash - use the instructions in the Sticky Key Fix article to remove the dash panel (excellent write up.)
The cinch bolt is an allen head bolt (see the picture.) I simply tightened mine up as firmly as possible without over tightening. I have not checked the Repair manual to see if there is a torque specification, but if I find one, I will add to this post.

In addition to eliminating the "hunting" that the steering used to do on irregular pavement, it has also straightened my steering wheel somewhat. It is not perfectly straight, but I think that may also be due to a loose front axle locking nut. I changed the front brake pads recently and was able to feel slight play when tugging on the left side rotor. I didn't have enough time then to pull the grease cap and check the bearing play, but I will be doing it soon and I expect that tightening up the wheel bearings properly will remove the remaining bit of slack in the front end.

 
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Pinch Bolt.jpg (26.1 KB, 942 views)

Last edited by Valk; Dec 4, 2013 at 09:28 PM. Reason: adjusted photo size
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