Steering done,, **Pics**
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,246
Likes: 4
From: Bay Area CA
Steering done,, **Pics**
Finally found a competent, reasonably priced mechanic (my space is limited right now, may change soon though) to install the Steering box I had rebuilt by GTR1999. Let my just say that i can feel the pebbles in the road now. Box is Perfect, and the steering now returns nice and easy on center, after a turn 
. Extremely happy with it, and now driving on the highway isn't an adventure, unless I choose for it to be 
.
I could rotate the new box input shaft fully by gripping the installed pitman arm pulling, lock to lock, and just feel a slight interference around center. Once i got the old box back (I had a new pitman arm torqued on the new box, outside the car, to prevent strain on the new box), i tried the same thing. It jammed about 1/3 of the way toward the center, and had some play in the pitman arm, just enough to make driving at 70 mph 'interesting', but that's the difference between new gears and old (the old box was a "rebuild" with about 500 miles on it) and a quality rebuild and an anonymous one.
Installed:
. Extremely happy with it, and now driving on the highway isn't an adventure, unless I choose for it to be . I could rotate the new box input shaft fully by gripping the installed pitman arm pulling, lock to lock, and just feel a slight interference around center. Once i got the old box back (I had a new pitman arm torqued on the new box, outside the car, to prevent strain on the new box), i tried the same thing. It jammed about 1/3 of the way toward the center, and had some play in the pitman arm, just enough to make driving at 70 mph 'interesting', but that's the difference between new gears and old (the old box was a "rebuild" with about 500 miles on it) and a quality rebuild and an anonymous one.
Installed:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,187
Likes: 7
From: Chetwynd B.C.
shmoky
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,246
Likes: 4
From: Bay Area CA
also, hopefully, you've recently changed your rag joint too.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,187
Likes: 7
From: Chetwynd B.C.
It will only help with play,, which is obvious. Drive at 60 on the highway and see how much you can move the wheel back and forth w/o the wheels moving, and carefully try the same in a turn, to check off center play. I'm thinking, if the box holds your wheels on center, you shouldn't have the 'self steering' problem with the power ram. You might also want to re-balance your power valve. Most of these boxes are 30 years old, or if they have been rebuilt, the old gears were reused, only slightly better result. I have to say, with the box, My Vette is actually a nice car to drive. Ace also, hopefully, you've recently changed your rag joint too.
also, hopefully, you've recently changed your rag joint too.shmoky
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,246
Likes: 4
From: Bay Area CA
The Power valve decides when the power ram kicks in and assists turning the wheels, there is a turn assist left and right adjust screw on it, if it's too far in one direction or too sensitive, you might get self steering, Or if your steering box or rag joint allows the wheels to move on their own (play in steering system- worn box or rag joint), It has the potential to self steer. I'm no expert on it though. Suggest you post a question on the Forum outlining your problem, them more experienced members will outline troubleshooting procedures to narrow your problem down.
Last edited by RunningMan373; Feb 8, 2009 at 06:22 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,187
Likes: 7
From: Chetwynd B.C.
The Power valve decides when the power ram kicks in and assists turning the wheels, there is a turn assist left and right adjust screw on it, if it's too far in one direction or too sensitive, you might get self steering, Or if your steering box or rag joint allows the wheels to move on their own (play in steering system- worn box or rag joint), It has the potential to self steer. I'm no expert on it though. Suggest you post a question on the Forum outlining your problem, them more experienced members will outline troubleshooting procedures to narrow your problem down.
shmoky
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,246
Likes: 4
From: Bay Area CA
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