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Hi all,

Many of you know that my race car has spent the summer being rebuilt - this has included removal of front subframe and replacement of steering rack, tie rods and ends, and pretty much all the major steering components.

At the last event of the year for me (MX5 Club track day, 7 December 2014), the scrutineers picked me up for what they thought was an inner rack end that was worn. There was a minor click in the steering when moving the wheel back and forth. I took it on board and they let me on track, but did suggest I check the steering before the next event.

We then replaced pretty much everything of consequence during the rebuild, and just got it back on its feet on Saturday. Much to my surprise, the noise and play was still there.

I had replaced pretty much everything from the lower uni joint to the wheels. So the column was suspected. We thought maybe the column was partially collapsed, or the upper uni joint on the intermediate shaft was worn.

Dad pulled it all out today.

Much to my horror, it appears the steering wheel hub spline was worn. In time, probably not long either, it would have stripped out and I would have been in a world of hurt. Looks like I got lucky.

I'm not sure what brand the hub was but given the level of quality in the build of my car, I doubt it was a cheapie.

If you have unexplained play or noise in your steering, check your steering wheel hub...

II have play in my current hub and also a standard nardi hub I picked up - was hoping the other hub would have less play... it didn't.
I have been keeping an eye on the hub. It makes no noticeable noise at the moment, but you can feel it when the car is stationary.
How much play does/did yours have?

I want to get another one to get rid of the play, but unsure if the play I have is standard/normal.

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

No play is "normal". Your steering shaft itself may be worn...

Mine had about 2-3mm when tightened, but about 10-15mm when loose.

I should add that to make sure the problem was fixed on my car, we replaced the column AND the hub.

No play should exist between the wheel and the shaft.

Assuming the splines are still ok (on both the hub and the shaft) if there is play you probably need to tighten the central nut.
The splined section of the steering shaft is slightly tapered so as to take up any play as it is tightened (it's also why it's a bastard to remove the steering wheel)

If the splines are damaged, you'll need to replace them (whichever part is damaged, be it hub or shaft)

zossy1 wrote:No play is "normal". Your steering shaft itself may be worn...

Mine had about 2-3mm when tightened, but about 10-15mm when loose.

I should add that to make sure the problem was fixed on my car, we replaced the column AND the hub.

Do you have a quick release hub, or is this wear from a normal permanently attached wheel?

The wheel was permanently attached. No quick release.

I used to have a 1973 Mini. The steering column was pretty basic on them. Pretty much just a pipe that attached to the spline on the rack via one bolt that tightened the female clamp around the male spline. One day I pulled into the carpark at work, put it into reverse to back into the space & the steering wheel just spun. I was very lucky because literally a minute earlier i was pushing it hard round a round-a-bout. It could have ended very differently.

i had a similar problem and found the diameter at the bottom of the spline was too big.
so the bottom of the hub bottomed touched on the clock spring area JUST before the spline fully engage.
If this was your problem you would have felt some resistance when turning the steering wheel.

if the splines are not 100% engaged you will wear out the hubs aluminium spline in no time .
if both splines are in good condition and fully engaged and and the nut torqued there shouldnt be an issue.

i machined 3mm from the bottom of my hub to allow the spline to fully engage.
as stated here there should be no play at all.

My race car doesn't have a clock spring...

I can't be sure how well the wheel has been engaged for the whole life of the car... But it has been on properly during the last 12 months of racing.

Funny I have just had the exact same thing happen with my works bell hub. I noticed a 1mm play in the steering wheel when loaded. Spent ages checking everything from steering rack to tie rods until I finally checked the hub and sure enough the splines had worn.
Currently trying to get works bell to replace it under warranty - it's only 6 months old....