My 2008 SE has very loose steering in middle position, while driving straight line. Ruts in the road will grab the steering and almost change lanes. Don’t see any leaks or fluid loss.
just changed the front lower a arms so bushings are new. Tie rods seem ok , but have new ones to install. The two inches of unrestricted steering wheel play which becomes more pronounced after driving for a while, could it be something other than the steering rack? Does this sound familiar to anybody?
thanks
Pete

 

Very, very good chance it is the lower steering shaft. You want an OEM part only. Once replaced, you may need an alignment to re-center the steering wheel. The part is LR071147 and you can get a new one for $200 shipped from LR Direct. AB is out of stock right now. At LR Direct one would pick the Britpart OEM, which is re-boxed OEM part. Search around thought, but that is the best price I can find.

Replacement is tricky but not difficult. Can guide you through if you decide to get one and feel it is the issue. Searching on the topic will help you be certain is it the shaft. But like I said, very good chance the lower shaft is the issue.

 

The steering shaft is a really common issue.
EDIT: Oops, I'm an idiot You clearly said steering wheel play:
I'm wondering what exactly you mean by 2" of free play though. Do you feel that in the steering wheel, or is that side to side play in the wheels when the tires are off the ground?

Anyway, if you get your eyes on the shaft with some one turning the steering wheel, you can confirm if it's the rack or the shaft with the excess play.

 

Isn't the symptoms of a bad steering shaft more like a "chunkiness" in the steering range of motion? I suppose that we are going off a very subjective description, so it could still be just that, and the description lacking. What say you, OP?

 

It can be that too. I have replaced a handful of those lower shaft now. For me I had the wondering on center effect yet did not notice any other issues. The shaft I had prior was much more notchy feeling and had resistance which was not really noticable until the new one went in. Then it was like power steering came back to life.

On a side note, u-joints arrived a while ago. So my next project will be to replace the u-joint I the shaft versus replacing the entire thing. Much cheaper.