Am I crazy or what?

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Sep 21, 2009 | 04:52 PM

bbmuscle

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Oct 2008

Posts: 148

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From: Budapest, Hungary

Am I crazy or what?

Hi,

I just bought my 1st classic Vette (71 LS5 with P/S) and I noticed that the steering column is not angled towards the driver, but to the center of the interior, however only with a few degrees. Not much but noticeable.
Should I start looking for a bent linkage rod or this the factory alignment?
If this is the factory alignment, what is the aim of it? "pilot oriented steering?"

Or just something happened to my eyes???...

Thanks, Matt

(photo is from a 72 brochure)

Sep 21, 2009 | 04:54 PM

toolman1981

Racer

Joined: Jan 2009

Posts: 482

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From: Near Round Top (pop. 90) Texas

Most cars are angled toward the center a bit, and no, as far as this instance is concerned.....you are not crazy.

Sep 21, 2009 | 05:09 PM

Gordonm

Race Director

Joined: Dec 1999

Posts: 19,610

Likes: 778

From: Forked River NJ

Hey, you bought a 71 Corvette. You have to be a little crazy like the rest of us. No you are not seeing things they are slightly angled. Enjoy the car.

Sep 21, 2009 | 07:22 PM

turbojet

Burning Brakes

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 809

Likes: 8

From: brewster NY

GM made it easy for the passenger to grab the wheel so that the driver could take his hands off the wheel or look at a map.

Sep 21, 2009 | 10:51 PM

Mark G

Safety Car

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 3,697

Likes: 833

From: WI

If you have tilt steering, grab the steering wheel and pull side to side ...see if it wiggles. When the pins on the tilt mechanism wear, the wheel tends to tilt towards the center of the cockpit. If this is the case, you can buy new pins, or different parts.

Mark G

Sep 22, 2009 | 10:40 AM

7T1vette

Team Owner

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 37,637

Likes: 3,118

From: Crossville TN

It IS angled inward a bit.

Sep 22, 2009 | 12:33 PM

427basketcase

Drifting

Joined: May 2002

Posts: 1,546

Likes: 5

From: Sacramento California

I have noticed more angle with BB cars

Sep 22, 2009 | 12:44 PM

Mike Ward

Race Director

Joined: Jul 2001

Posts: 15,892

Likes: 42

Quote:

Originally Posted by 427basketcase

I have noticed more angle with BB cars

That's funny!

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Sep 23, 2009 | 08:09 AM

bbmuscle

Thread Starter

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Joined: Oct 2008

Posts: 148

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From: Budapest, Hungary

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbojet

GM made it easy for the passenger to grab the wheel so that the driver could take his hands off the wheel or look at a map.

I won't let anyone grab the wheel while I'm driving...my idea: it is quite hard to get in the car (low two seater...), but while the column is angled a bit inwards it's a bit easier. Maybe I shouldn't drink so much beer...

But I will check the column for wear...it does have a little play.

Sep 23, 2009 | 06:30 PM

#10

killain

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Joined: Aug 1999

Posts: 11,123

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From: SE Pennsylvania

St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26

Oldtimer

Quote:

Originally Posted by toolman1981

Most cars are angled toward the center a bit, and no, as far as this instance is concerned.....you are not crazy.

I first noticed it when I changed my worn out leather steering wheel. My 79 had the same thing, it's so minor that if you aren't looking for it you'd never notice it. I think as everyone here has said it's normal. I had owned my car for five years before I noticed it

Sep 23, 2009 | 08:02 PM

#11

...Roger...

Race Director

Joined: May 2006

Posts: 16,528

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From: Dayton, Ohio

So when I slotted the mount and made the column straight that was bad ?

No wait I think I put washers between the steering gear and the frame, oh heck I cant remember.

Sep 24, 2009 | 05:35 AM

#12

bbmuscle

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Oct 2008

Posts: 148

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From: Budapest, Hungary

Quote:

Originally Posted by ...Roger...

So when I slotted the mount and made the column straight that was bad ?

No wait I think I put washers between the steering gear and the frame, oh heck I cant remember.

As I checked it out again, I realized that even the dash pad assembly follows the inward angle of the column. Hmm...I wonder what was GM's aim with this.

Roger, the straight column did not interfere with anything?

Matt