Steering Wheel play?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
From: FL
Steering Wheel play?
Our 81 has a lotta play in the steering wheel, its extremely loose for like a half inch in either direction before the car actually moves.
what gives? is there any easy fix for this until we can get any real work done on the front end?
what gives? is there any easy fix for this until we can get any real work done on the front end?
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 473
Likes: 6
From: New Port Richey FL
probably a bad/out of adjustment steering box... search for steering box. Theres a nut and a set screw on top of it that you use to adjust. Loosen it up and turn the screw in some and tighten it back up and see if it improves.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Check the rag joint first! Often that's the problem, and if you start adjusting the steering box *****-nilly it's easy to mess it up.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,246
Likes: 4
From: Bay Area CA
1/2 in isn't alot of play, that's a little. Start and move the steering shaft by hand near the Box. Observe what moves and what doesn't it could be a combo of the rag, the box and steering bushings. 1/2" in either direction, at the top of the steering wheel ani't that bad for a used recirculating ball steering system.
Last edited by RunningMan373; Nov 26, 2007 at 03:38 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
From: FL
ahh i see... ok like i said first older car i've ever driven. i'm used to sneezing on my s2000's steering wheel and the whole car moves...
i'll start looking at the suggestions listed here after the gym tonight.
i need to get a copy of a service manual or something so i know how to get to all these things and put it back together correctly!
thanks again!
i'll start looking at the suggestions listed here after the gym tonight.
i need to get a copy of a service manual or something so i know how to get to all these things and put it back together correctly!
thanks again!
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Rochester NY
Since you're on the topic of steering - has anyone ever experienced what feels like a slightly offset steering column? My column feels like it is offset to the left just a bit. Everything works fine, the steering is tight, the car is original and very straight. I even wondered if it was my seat. I am at a loss. Can it be adjusted? Any ideas?
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,572
Likes: 51
From: Wichita Kansas
Since you're on the topic of steering - has anyone ever experienced what feels like a slightly offset steering column? My column feels like it is offset to the left just a bit. Everything works fine, the steering is tight, the car is original and very straight. I even wondered if it was my seat. I am at a loss. Can it be adjusted? Any ideas?
The column is offset to the left or the wheel is turned to the left when the car is rolling straight??
As for the loose steering, I just adjusted the gearbox lash on mine, added grease to the gearbox, and it seems to be much tighter.
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Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
On both counts
Look at the rag joint while you have someone try to steer left and right. That is the source of steering slop in most C3s I've seen. It's actually somewhat rare for steering boxes to need adjustment.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
Since you're on the topic of steering - has anyone ever experienced what feels like a slightly offset steering column? My column feels like it is offset to the left just a bit. Everything works fine, the steering is tight, the car is original and very straight. I even wondered if it was my seat. I am at a loss. Can it be adjusted? Any ideas?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,195
Likes: 4,024
From: Connecticut, USA
could be in the box but if the front suspension and linkage parts are worn and loose you may be adding up play from several places.
Can you get the car to a good alignment shop to check the front end and get an alignment? With those areas good and a good rag joint then you can look at the box. Trying to compensate for worn suspension by adjusting the box will not solve the problem - only wear out the gears.
The play you have can be corrected but you have to know where to look.
Can you get the car to a good alignment shop to check the front end and get an alignment? With those areas good and a good rag joint then you can look at the box. Trying to compensate for worn suspension by adjusting the box will not solve the problem - only wear out the gears.
The play you have can be corrected but you have to know where to look.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,429
Likes: 0
From: Tucson AZ
Since you're on the topic of steering - has anyone ever experienced what feels like a slightly offset steering column? My column feels like it is offset to the left just a bit. Everything works fine, the steering is tight, the car is original and very straight. I even wondered if it was my seat. I am at a loss. Can it be adjusted? Any ideas?
As stupid as it sounds, check the seat back stops. Mine didn't have the rubber bumper on top of it and was misadjusted too. It gave me the same feeling. The steering column on my 69 has 2 bolts underneath that don't have too much L/R play in them.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,429
Likes: 0
From: Tucson AZ
could be in the box but if the front suspension and linkage parts are worn and loose you may be adding up play from several places.
Can you get the car to a good alignment shop to check the front end and get an alignment? With those areas good and a good rag joint then you can look at the box. Trying to compensate for worn suspension by adjusting the box will not solve the problem - only wear out the gears.
The play you have can be corrected but you have to know where to look.
Can you get the car to a good alignment shop to check the front end and get an alignment? With those areas good and a good rag joint then you can look at the box. Trying to compensate for worn suspension by adjusting the box will not solve the problem - only wear out the gears.
The play you have can be corrected but you have to know where to look.
ditto, exactly what I was gonna say.
don't put a bandaid on a shark bite