"Play" in Steering???
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
From: Marietta GA
"Play" in Steering???
Need some advice, please. My '74 seems to have a lot of "play" in the steering wheel. While driving it, I can turn the steering wheel about 1-1/2" from side to side without it affecting the steering. If I let go, it runs straight. We replaced the ball joints, which helped, but the play is still there. Is this normal or should I be concerned?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
You need to look at all the components in the steering system and try to determine where the major amount of play is coming from.
Have someone hold on to the lower end of the steering column steering shaft and try to rock the steering wheel back and forth. Is the lash in the steering column?
Look closely at the flexible coupling. Have someone rock the steering wheel. Is there lots of "give" in the flexible coupling?
Elevate the car and watch the pitman arm. Rock the steering wheel. Is there motion of the input shaft but a lack of motion at the pitman arm? This could mean that the gear needs to be adjusted or rebuilt.
With the engine off, there will be some motion of the control valve stud when the steering wheel is rocked. Starting the engine should greatly reduce noticeable motion of the stud into the valve.
Is there any vertical movement of the idler arm?
Try to identify the source and we can talk further.
JIML82
Have someone hold on to the lower end of the steering column steering shaft and try to rock the steering wheel back and forth. Is the lash in the steering column?
Look closely at the flexible coupling. Have someone rock the steering wheel. Is there lots of "give" in the flexible coupling?
Elevate the car and watch the pitman arm. Rock the steering wheel. Is there motion of the input shaft but a lack of motion at the pitman arm? This could mean that the gear needs to be adjusted or rebuilt.
With the engine off, there will be some motion of the control valve stud when the steering wheel is rocked. Starting the engine should greatly reduce noticeable motion of the stud into the valve.
Is there any vertical movement of the idler arm?
Try to identify the source and we can talk further.
JIML82
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
From: Marietta GA
We checked and we didn't find any major problems except in #5 below. On an aside, we did find a leak in the power steering cylinder, though, around the seal. Don't know if that would cause the play, though.
Have someone hold on to the lower end of the steering column steering shaft and try to rock the steering wheel back and forth. Is the lash in the steering column? No slack
Look closely at the flexible coupling. Have someone rock the steering wheel. Is there lots of "give" in the flexible coupling? No give
Elevate the car and watch the pitman arm. Rock the steering wheel. Is there motion of the input shaft but a lack of motion at the pitman arm? No
With the engine off, there will be some motion of the control valve stud when the steering wheel is rocked. Starting the engine should greatly reduce noticeable motion of the stud into the valve. No "major" reduction movement - maybe we're not looking at the right movement. All we saw was side-to-side movement. Can you elaborate further?
Is there any vertical movement of the idler arm? No
Thanks for your help!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
The motion of the stud causes a spool valve to shift to the right or left and provide oil flow for the appropriate right or left turn.
The motion should be side to side. I can't give you and actual distance that the stud should move.
Jim
The motion should be side to side. I can't give you and actual distance that the stud should move.
Jim
