For my kids 89 hatch? There is a lot of play in the steering wheel when going staright I can move the wheel about an inch either way with no response. Is the rack adjustable or am I looking at tie rods?
I don't want to go buy a manual just to answer this- anyone know? If so, where is the adjuster?
No power steering, if any had it or not.

 

If I am not mistaken most Civic's and CRX's of the "EARLY YEARS" did not have power steering and You also might want to check your tie rods mine are doing the same thing and I am going to replace mine after the new years along with the axles and shocks......

Hope I was helpful in some way...

 

yea, check the tierods. if they were bad though you would hear a little knock when you drive over rough roads or turning

 

I drove my 86 crx almost 400,000 miles before selling it. The only thing with the steering i had to replace was the tie rod ends. I don't remeber it having a lot of freeplay though. I replaced them because the boots were broken and the cars front end was bouncing a little at high speeds. I replaced just about every part on that car that could possibly go bad. I also remeber, i cleaned and spray painted the arm and tie rod end with spray paint before i removed the old tie rods. This was to be sure i screwed the new ones on at the same place. This can cause premature tire wear, i'm sure, if not done right. And, no, i don't think the steering is adjustable. Only by the amount you screw on the tie rods i believe. But that does not adjust the steering, just the angle of the tires, which i guess they should be parrallel, possibly a little toe in or out or whatever. I'm not a tire angle expert. I just put my new ones back on in the same place the old ones came off.

 

Thanks, looks like it's tie rods then.

 

it's easy to test. jack up one of the front wheel and grab it and shake it. see if there is any play. most likely one or more side will have play.

I would replace both sides even if only one side has play, just so you don't have to get under the car again later for the same problem.