Steering pre-tensioner—how do you do it? (I searched)
10-27-06 | 08:40 AM
#78
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,947
Likes: 4
From: Florida
I thought that seemed wrong.
sparky-the ntb guys were forcing your nut to move without loosening the lock nut because they didn't know what they were doing. that's not good. that may be why counter clockwise was having a different effect too, because everything was/is binding.
Engin Ear was just correcting a misinformed thread, I'm glad he did.
sparky-the ntb guys were forcing your nut to move without loosening the lock nut because they didn't know what they were doing. that's not good. that may be why counter clockwise was having a different effect too, because everything was/is binding.
Engin Ear was just correcting a misinformed thread, I'm glad he did.
10-29-06 | 06:13 AM
#79
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 881
Likes: 2
From: Rocky Mountain High
I did mine yesterday and the results are excellent. I agree the vibration was reduced to the point where I'm not sure it is there at all.
This thread probably kept me from selling my car. Thanks engin_ear and CL.
This thread probably kept me from selling my car. Thanks engin_ear and CL.
10-29-06 | 07:24 AM
#80
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,947
Likes: 4
From: Florida
^how much did you tighten it Andy? also, what'd you use to loosen the lock ring?
I was wondering if you still had vibration probs since the 18s. was part of it getting used to the road feel from the 18s?
I was wondering if you still had vibration probs since the 18s. was part of it getting used to the road feel from the 18s?
10-29-06 | 08:18 AM
#81
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 881
Likes: 2
From: Rocky Mountain High
The problems I was having was with the 18s but it wasn't a balance issue. I had the wheels and tires road force balanced 4 times over the course of 3 weeks and the vib was still there. It had never gone away until now. What I had couldn't be confused with road feel, as much as the balance guys at the shop wanted me to believe that.
Last edited by STONER; 10-30-06 at 08:14 AM.
10-29-06 | 06:46 PM
#82
I tightened it about 30 degrees. I marked it before I moved it, maybe I should shoot a photo. I went about 45 first and it wasn't returning to center really at all. It could probably go a few more degrees but I didn't want to mess with it all day. To loosen the lock ring, I bought the biggest adjustable wrench they had at Lowes. It was $30 and I'll probably end up returning it. It needs to open to between 1.75 inches and 2, so don't get one that stops at 1.5"
The problems I was having was with the 18s and it had never gone away until now. What I had couldn't be described as road feel.
The problems I was having was with the 18s and it had never gone away until now. What I had couldn't be described as road feel.
Nice to have that looseness gone now, isn't it?
Yeah, once again, I think you have to get it temporarily to the point where the steering is slightly binding up and won't return, then back it off a bit.
10-29-06 | 07:45 PM
#83
On a side note, my steering wheel is not completely straight, and they showed me that my steering rack bushings were worn, which will also cause slop in the steering. I ordered Daizen replacements from one of this site's sponsors (TM Engineering) http://www.tmengineering.net and they're going to be put on next week. I've heard very good things about that replacement helping out with loose steering as well.
Good luck!
Shawn
Good luck!
Shawn
10-29-06 | 07:51 PM
#84
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 881
Likes: 2
From: Rocky Mountain High
Here is the photo.
This is where I ended up. To tighten the bolt, I had to loosen the nut about 10-15 degrees. Any more and the nut would turn with the bolt. Your results may vary, but this could be a starting point.
BTW, my vibration is very nearly gone. I can't explain how much difference this has made.
This is where I ended up. To tighten the bolt, I had to loosen the nut about 10-15 degrees. Any more and the nut would turn with the bolt. Your results may vary, but this could be a starting point.
BTW, my vibration is very nearly gone. I can't explain how much difference this has made.
Last edited by STONER; 10-30-06 at 08:16 AM.
10-29-06 | 08:00 PM
#85
Rookie
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: Texas
10-29-06 | 09:26 PM
#86
ARE YOU PEOPLE LOSING IT? This is a thread that should have never happened. Watching guys do it at NTB??? 
NTB??? You've GOT to be kidding me.
Grab a wrench before you post this stuff, PLEASE!!! Also use the search engine.
Check out the above threads. I spent my time documenting this clearly for everyone. The outer nut is a LOCKNUT - it is only there to keep the inner fitting from loosening up. It must be loosened the NORMAL way, by turning counterclockwise, so that the inner fitting is free to turn. The inner fitting is what you need to tighten (CLOCKWISE) to take the play out of the steering. Once this is where it needs to be (see other threads for that), the outer locknut needs to be tightened again, while holding the inner fitting still with another wrench. Once you do this, the adjustment is done and will not move.
IF YOU'VE DONE ANYTHING ELSE, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU WOUND UP WITH. You may have overtightened the fitting (can ruin your steering rack), more play than you started with, or a loose locknut that will allow the setting to move over time.
Never turn just the inner fitting before loosening the outer locknut, or turn the outer nut clockwise without holding the inner one. And always mark the original location of both with a Sharpie, so that you KNOW how much you've moved them.
This post has confused the hell out of everyone for all the wrong reasons.
Steering is nothing to mess with if you don't know what you're doing. Watching doesn't count.
NTB??? You've GOT to be kidding me. Grab a wrench before you post this stuff, PLEASE!!! Also use the search engine.Check out the above threads. I spent my time documenting this clearly for everyone. The outer nut is a LOCKNUT - it is only there to keep the inner fitting from loosening up. It must be loosened the NORMAL way, by turning counterclockwise, so that the inner fitting is free to turn. The inner fitting is what you need to tighten (CLOCKWISE) to take the play out of the steering. Once this is where it needs to be (see other threads for that), the outer locknut needs to be tightened again, while holding the inner fitting still with another wrench. Once you do this, the adjustment is done and will not move.
IF YOU'VE DONE ANYTHING ELSE, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU WOUND UP WITH. You may have overtightened the fitting (can ruin your steering rack), more play than you started with, or a loose locknut that will allow the setting to move over time.
Never turn just the inner fitting before loosening the outer locknut, or turn the outer nut clockwise without holding the inner one. And always mark the original location of both with a Sharpie, so that you KNOW how much you've moved them.
This post has confused the hell out of everyone for all the wrong reasons.
Steering is nothing to mess with if you don't know what you're doing. Watching doesn't count. 
10-29-06 | 10:17 PM
#88
