I've had this car 30 years and back in the day I replaced the rag joint. I think now I got one that wouldn't line up right and like the kid I was, I just turned the wheel to make it work. Now years later I can see the steering is sloppy and I've read it is only tight in the straight ahead position.

Ideas? How can I tell if the rag joint is right and how do I get the steering box back at center where it is tight? Should i just disconnect the rag joint and spin the box both directions to the stops and then center it that way?

Also I replaced the tie rods, so how can I get the alignment close now after centering the wheel and steering box?

Thanks for any help or ideas anyone has before I start in on this.

 

Disconnect the pitman from the box. Turn the wheel all the way one way to the end of the box's travel. Now turn it completely the other way precisely counting the number of turns. Divide that figure in half and turn the wheel back exactly that amount. IE, 3 1/3 turns end to end counted, turn it back 1 2/3 turns back. You will feel the box come to the high point as you approach the centre (if the box is properly adjusted). If your steering wheel isn't in the straight ahead position at the counted halfway point, correct it at the rag joint until it is. Now reconnect the pitman arm. The alignment shop will now set the toe in accordance with that steering box position. (They clamp the steering wheel in the straight ahead position and adjust tie rod sleeves until the wheels are pointed straight ahead with the correct toe-in).

If you have the rag joint off and the pitman disconnected it's probably a good idea to remove the 3 nuts holding the box on and go through it. $10 worth of seals is likely all you need. Going through the proper steering box adjustment makes a world of difference. If you've been told you just turn the adjuster screw until it bottoms and back it out a specified number of turns, you've been mislead. There is a procedure to get the appropriate amount of drag through the box's high point. Easy to do.

Steve g