jtl1567

The steering in my 1978 corvette has some play in it ( i can turn the wheel a bit and nothing happens) is there a way to fix this or is it standard for the older years of corvettes?

65GGvert

First, determine where the play is. Have someone gently rock the wheel left and right while you look under the hood. Is the play in a worn rag joint between the column and the steering box? Or is it inside the steering box? (the column turns going into the box but the pitman arm doesn't move). Then under the car, is the movement in the ball joints or other front drive parts? If the play is in the box, there is an adjustment that can be made, Google it and follow the directions specifically, don't just turn the adjustment screw to take out the play (it can cause the wheel to lock in one direction while you're driving). Before you fix it, you'll need to find where the play is. And no it isn't common to have play just because it's an old car.

jtl1567

Its been a while since i posted but i looked at the parts of my steering and its the gear box which i learned is not the cheapest thing to replace... but next summer i am going to put a new engine in, redo front and rear suspension, new gear box, and some small repairs on the body.

Easy Mike

How much is "some"?

jtl1567

when i bought the vette some one had already shut the seat belt buckle in the door and put a about a 6 inch crack in the fiberglass. and there are about three 1/4 in cracks that im going to fix. i also am going to repaint it. its the dark brown but i am either thinking black or blue. any ideas?

jtl1567

Also putting side pipes on.

Paul L

I think Mike means how much is "some" steering play.

gerry72

Is the engine running while you are observing the play in the steering system? If the engine isn't running, there is no power steering pressure in the control valve and without pressure, the ball stud from the Pitman arm just bumps between the cups in the valve.

jtl1567

i have only noticed it while the car was running but i will check it to see if the play is there when it is off.

jtl1567

Sorry it took me so long to get back here. Yes there is play when the car is off...

drkness01

If you want to drop the money for it ... check out the rack and pinion conversions. There are alot of threads about them and a few vendors that sell kits.

I recently converted to rack and pinion because of a badly worn steering box, leaking/dented power steering cylinder, and other bent/cracked steering parts.

I used a rack from junkyard grand-am and created my own mounting brackets. The difference is night and day. Before I had about 20 degrees of play and had to have a firm grip on the wheel. Now I cant notice any play and I can literally steer with a fingertip.

The only bad part is the loss of feedback from the road and it maybe a little too sensitive.

jtl1567

Thanks ill look into it. As of now im kinda on a budget. any ideas other than the gear box being bad?