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Location:
Adelaide
Registered:
September 2003
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 ra23 loose steering?
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Fri, 26 December 2003 00:30
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Hi all,
Merry xmas (better late than a punch in the face)
Just wondering if anyone out there has ever encountered their steering going loose, like there's nothing connected to the wheels for a second or so when you're turning the wheel?
for example changing lanes left to right, pull the wheel right and for a second there's no response nothing no feeling on the wheel then it starts to turn the wheels??
If anyone has had this:
what do I do to fix it?
or even if you haven't what do I need to check?
Cheers all for your help so far this year --> I've learnt more about celicas / toyotas than I ever could just do the research via google 
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Location:
Melbourne
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: ra23 loose steering?
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Fri, 26 December 2003 00:40
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Just a guesstimate here, but im thinking that eitheir your steering box needs to be tightend, or if that already has been done it needs to be rebuilt.
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Perth, Western Australia
Registered:
December 2002
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Re: ra23 loose steering?
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Fri, 26 December 2003 01:29
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Yep, add some more load to your sector shaft in the steering box. This is done by releasing the locking nut on the threaded shaft that has provision to take a flat blade screwdriver on top of the steering box. Once the locking nut is released, turned the sector shaft with the aid of a screwdriver clockwise, but not too much or it will again adversly affect the steering feel - you will get an idea of how much by test driving it as you do it. Other factors to consider also are balljoints in the steering setup, and wheel alignment geometry.
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Location:
Adelaide
Registered:
September 2003
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Re: ra23 loose steering?
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Fri, 26 December 2003 01:39
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Cheers all,
I have to get a wheel alignment done first - my wheels are way up the keeshter...GRRRR...
then I'll have a suss of the steering box 
*oh for a workshop manual*
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Perth, Western Australia
Registered:
December 2002
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Re: ra23 loose steering?
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Fri, 26 December 2003 01:53
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I'd suggest doing the wheel alignment last, after steering repairs/modifications.
I have a Haynes manual I'll sell if you're interested, PM me?!
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Location:
adelaide
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: ra23 loose steering?
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Fri, 26 December 2003 15:47
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Mate plain and simple, ive had this in my celica and slowly ironed out more and more play in the steering. now i am almost happy but it could still be better.
check your steering box and pitman arm, and your idler arm. These are the two short arms, one on either side of the car(under the back of the engine) which pivot and connect to the long steering rod and to shorter rods controlling each wheel's direction.
if any signs of wear or play are found, or you just want more confidence in your car's steering, you should replace the Idler Arm and Pitman Arm, and tighten/rebuild the steering box. it also would help to replace the Ball joints.
the next step would be firmer springs and shocks, swaybars, and you'd have a tidy handling package  .
I know for a fact the new Pitman Arm for RA23/8 is $21.60 from Sprint Auto Parts which was WELL WORTH IT! took about 5 mins to install. then go get a good wheel alignment LAST or after you do any suspension or steering work. heck i still havent gotten round to having my car wheel aligned  that reminds me.
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Location:
Canberra
Registered:
August 2004
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Re: ra23 loose steering?
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Thu, 06 January 2005 00:44
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Dudes
I have the same problem in my RA23!
Have tightened sector shaft only to have it slowly loosen on me (and yes, I might be a girl but I made sure I tightened that lock nut good and proper). Initial inspection of idler/pitman arms showed nothing special. Ball joints *could* be freshened i suppose but my feeling is it's the age of the box.
Shocks are stiff and swaybars are doing their swaybar magic. Nice handling package if it didn't seem so understeery due to the play. Handles better when it's, ummm, "under load".
So - anyone know of a rebuilt one floating around or somewhere in either Canberra/Wollongong area to get mine rebuilt?
Next problem is that the previous owner (  ) played around with a heap of things and undoubtedly didn't know what he was doing. I just pulled the engine out (18RG) for a freshen up and found a screwdriver hiding underneath the brake booster!!!
Anyway, I can't be sure that it's even a RA23 box... looks okay compared to the picture in the manual but then again... anyone got a sure-fire way of knowing whether it's a genuine RA23 part? (I have pikkies)
Cheers
Lizzy
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