Loose steering

[Silver4]

2013 RS Venture 10,000 km
Last week the steering started having some play in it (loose), now it seems to be having more.
** Is this likely to be wear .. worn out bushing or something and probably ok till spring... or an accident waiting to happen???**

Is there a known issue here?
The visible part of the steering rack seems tight.
Any ideas on how to proceed?
Much thanks...

 

[Stubbs]

The Deltabox sleds have a ton of pivot points within the steering system. Over time they all develop a little bit of wear creating a fair amount slop within the entire system. If you’d like to cure it all you need to replace all of the heim ends as well as all of the bushings at the various pivot points within the system. Get your wallet out.
The spindle bushings for the ski bolt collars are also prone to wear and add some extra “slop” to the steering system.

 

[maim]

on my 11 apex xtx, i had to do the bushings in the idler/pitman arm assembly as they where rocking around the 15000 mi mark. just did the steering pillow blocks at 22000 mi as i was getting side to side movement on them of almost an 1" at the tips of the bars. have not replaced any tie rod ends yet and only have had to do1 set of spindle bushing. oil lites bushings where installed around 6000 mi after a tree oops or 2.

 

[Redbeard]

In addition to all the tips listed above, I would check the first heim joint at the base of the steering column, directly above the exhaust header (#26). Due to the orientation of this joint (upside down), it traps dirt and water in the groove and wears the ball and socket prematurely. There is an insulated exhaust shield covering the header, but I know it gets hot in there. I would guess the heat also contributes the problem over time.

This was the main source of slop that developed on my 2008 Vector LTX. The collars and bushing that mount the ski to the spindle were the next worst.