'63 steering issue

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Oct 22, 2010 | 09:37 AM

*C7*

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Nov 2004

Posts: 2,592

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St. Jude Donor 05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17

'63 steering issue

I haven't looked into this yet but thought I would gather some info ahead of time.

Little history. Over the years the car has been converted from manual steering to power.

It has VBP adjustable tie rods.

Tie rod ends were recently moved to the "manual steering" holes because I have a small diameter steering wheel and the steering was too quick in the pwr. steering hole.

The problem I'm having is if you turn hard to the left it feels like the pitman arm is "going over top dead center".

And you play hell turning it back.

Were the stock tie rods the same length???

I could see this happening if the factory ones were not equal length and I made the VBP equal by the adjustments.

I'm guessing here but it seems like if I made the left tie rod longer it would turn more and I could shorten the right to set the toe back.

Or is that not correct thinking????

Please let me know yout thoughts.

Thanks< Larry.

Oct 22, 2010 | 09:42 AM

365GTB4

Racer

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 478

Likes: 5

From: Redlands CA

I would start with the steering gear itself. Make sure the pitman arm is aligned to the witness marks on the gear shaft. Then center the steering from there. The steering box gears will wear in the center and can bind if pushed to far off center. Then aligned the front end.

Oct 22, 2010 | 09:58 AM

MikeM

Team Owner

Joined: Mar 2003

Posts: 26,118

Likes: 1,874

From: Greenville, Indiana

Check your left side lower control arm and see if the steering arm stop is still in place.

Long shot, moving the tie rods to the manual position could allow overextension of the steering ram and may be causing a problem. Just a guess.

Could be a combination of both the above.

I see Equal/unequal adjustment of the tie rods to be the problem. If the steering arm stops on the lower A frame(s) are in place, they'll limit travel in either direction.

Oct 22, 2010 | 10:04 AM

wombvette

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jan 2000

Posts: 8,918

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From: New Hill NC

More than likely they did not use the PS pitman arm when it was converted. It causes a bind and the steering will not return to center.

Oct 22, 2010 | 10:11 AM

MikeM

Team Owner

Joined: Mar 2003

Posts: 26,118

Likes: 1,874

From: Greenville, Indiana

Quote:

Originally Posted by wombvette

More than likely they did not use the PS pitman arm when it was converted. It causes a bind and the steering will not return to center.

Now that you mention it.......................

Oct 22, 2010 | 10:22 AM

*C7*

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Nov 2004

Posts: 2,592

Likes: 393

St. Jude Donor 05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17

Man you guys are fast with the replys. I have alot of things to check.

I DID NOT change the pitman arm to a powersteering one as Wombvette mentioned.

I will order one of those and check all the other items eveyone mentioned.

Thanks and I will let you know how she works out.

Also as Wombvette mentioned the steering does not want to return to center either.

I'm excited.

Oct 22, 2010 | 10:42 AM

midyearvette

Le Mans Master

Joined: Nov 2008

Posts: 5,691

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From: columbus oh

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wombvette

More than likely they did not use the PS pitman arm when it was converted. It causes a bind and the steering will not return to center.

both excellent points....i converted mine years ago with no problems ( outer holes)....if you have interference, it should be limited to the power ram and it's travel and maybe blow the seal but after 10+ years, no problem here.....