Steering play
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,109
Likes: 4,137
From: Kannapolis NC
First, determine where the play is. Have someone gently rock the wheel left and right while you look under the hood. Is the play in a worn rag joint between the column and the steering box? Or is it inside the steering box? (the column turns going into the box but the pitman arm doesn't move). Then under the car, is the movement in the ball joints or other front drive parts? If the play is in the box, there is an adjustment that can be made, Google it and follow the directions specifically, don't just turn the adjustment screw to take out the play (it can cause the wheel to lock in one direction while you're driving). Before you fix it, you'll need to find where the play is. And no it isn't common to have play just because it's an old car.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
Its been a while since i posted but i looked at the parts of my steering and its the gear box which i learned is not the cheapest thing to replace... but next summer i am going to put a new engine in, redo front and rear suspension, new gear box, and some small repairs on the body.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
when i bought the vette some one had already shut the seat belt buckle in the door and put a about a 6 inch crack in the fiberglass. and there are about three 1/4 in cracks that im going to fix. i also am going to repaint it. its the dark brown but i am either thinking black or blue. any ideas?
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 43
From: San Antonio TX
Is the engine running while you are observing the play in the steering system? If the engine isn't running, there is no power steering pressure in the control valve and without pressure, the ball stud from the Pitman arm just bumps between the cups in the valve.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
i have only noticed it while the car was running but i will check it to see if the play is there when it is off.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: Pensacola FL
I recently converted to rack and pinion because of a badly worn steering box, leaking/dented power steering cylinder, and other bent/cracked steering parts.
I used a rack from junkyard grand-am and created my own mounting brackets. The difference is night and day. Before I had about 20 degrees of play and had to have a firm grip on the wheel. Now I cant notice any play and I can literally steer with a fingertip.
The only bad part is the loss of feedback from the road and it maybe a little too sensitive.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
If you want to drop the money for it ... check out the rack and pinion conversions. There are alot of threads about them and a few vendors that sell kits.
I recently converted to rack and pinion because of a badly worn steering box, leaking/dented power steering cylinder, and other bent/cracked steering parts.
I used a rack from junkyard grand-am and created my own mounting brackets. The difference is night and day. Before I had about 20 degrees of play and had to have a firm grip on the wheel. Now I cant notice any play and I can literally steer with a fingertip.
The only bad part is the loss of feedback from the road and it maybe a little too sensitive.
I recently converted to rack and pinion because of a badly worn steering box, leaking/dented power steering cylinder, and other bent/cracked steering parts.
I used a rack from junkyard grand-am and created my own mounting brackets. The difference is night and day. Before I had about 20 degrees of play and had to have a firm grip on the wheel. Now I cant notice any play and I can literally steer with a fingertip.
The only bad part is the loss of feedback from the road and it maybe a little too sensitive.