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From: PHOENIX, AZ Yes, it's true. You are a good woman. Then again, you may be the Antichrist.
Adjusted my steering box
I finally adjusted my steering box, and I should have done this long ago.
When I first bought my 69, the steering could be (generously) described as "loose". I mean you could turn the steering wheel almost a quarter turn before the wheels turned.
It reminded me of my old 73 4x4 Jimmy, and I put it on the list of things to address, someday...
I was convinced I should swap in a Borgeson unit, but I read a thread about adjusting the stock box, so I thought I'd give that a try first.
After loosening the lock nut, I tightened the adjustment screw a little, then locked it down and tried the steering. Not much difference. But, rinse and repeat several times and the steering got much better. After each adjustment I took a spin around the block to test it. I eventually got it too tight, backed it off until the steering started getting a little sloppy again, then tightened it back up about an 1/8th turn, and I'm happy with it.
It's not as nice as modern systems, or even the Borgeson I'm sure. But now, when I turn the steering wheel, the wheels turn quickly and not a quarter turn of the steering wheel late!
It's worth trying if your steering is loose. Maybe you don't need to rebuild your box or swap in a new one.
FYI.....the grease in my manual steering box had turned into "wax".
While replacing the rag joint I removed the top of the box/
cleaned most of the old grease out/
packed it with new grease/
adjusted the shaft end play/
centered the pitman arm/
adjusted the tooth clearance.
It's like new again.
From: PHOENIX, AZ Yes, it's true. You are a good woman. Then again, you may be the Antichrist.
Originally Posted by pwsusi
Thanks for sharing..glad it worked out for you. I should give it a try. And pictures as to where to make the adjustment?
Sorry, I didn't take pics, but the adjustment screw is a flathead screw right on top of the box. Hold the screw in place with a flathead and loosen the locknut with a wrench.
Make small adjustments, lock it back down, test it. Turning the screw clockwise seems to tighten the box up, counterclockwise loosens it.
Originally Posted by doorgunner
FYI.....the grease in my manual steering box had turned into "wax".
While replacing the rag joint I removed the top of the box/
cleaned most of the old grease out/
packed it with new grease/
adjusted the shaft end play/
centered the pitman arm/
adjusted the tooth clearance.
It's like new again.
Hey Doorgunner. Mine is a power box, but it would be a good idea to do the same to it. I just wanted to see if i could adjust the slop out of it. My rag joint looks to still be in good shape.
It's important to make an on the car box adjustment on center, adjusting the lash off center will result in too much lash on center Keep in mind this doesn't address other issues within the box like old grease, bearing preload and bushing fitment but may be a large difference in on center feel.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
I've done the same and its amazing, If you have power steering, make sure thw engines running before adjusting by feel. the power valve for the slave cylinder will give false slop feel while the motor is off. If you can get some one to help, you can do it with the motor off. Have them wiggle the wheel so you can see the rag joint moving and see if the pitman arm is moving. As RJ!AZ ssaid, it is besst to do small changes and then drive it for best results, then back it off. If you can get under the car, then grabbing the pitman arm and moving it front to back see if it wiggles, not turns. If it wiggles from to back you may need bushings
You want to use grease in the box, not oil. You can make a tool to help fill the box by drilling a soft bolt through the center top to bottm then adding a zirq fitting or buy one pre made from Willcox
the screw in the middle is your adjustment the bolt that says check lube can be taken out and a bolt with a zirq fitting can be added to fill the case with grease. Pull out another bolt and fill until it comes out the other hole
external parts
internal parts
you can see the taper is at the bottom off the gear, so less thread showing is taking up more slop as you adjust that bolt
Last edited by Rescue Rogers; Jul 15, 2019 at 05:39 AM.
I thought the “box” part was identical regardless if a C3 came equipped with power steering or not. If equipped with power the car came with all those crazy hydraulic bits that attached to the steering linkage after the box. If power then the mounting position that has less leverage and higher travel is used.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Originally Posted by Kie
Manual and power boxes ? On a C3 ??
I thought the “box” part was identical regardless if a C3 came equipped with power steering or not. If equipped with power the car came with all those crazy hydraulic bits that attached to the steering linkage after the box. If power then the mounting position that has less leverage and higher travel is used.
I believe you are correct same box and rag joint. Different pitman arm, different linkage, in a 68 you had different hole in the steering knuckle drag link. Not sure about 69 on
I believe you are correct same box and rag joint. Different pitman arm, different linkage, in a 68 you had different hole in the steering knuckle drag link. Not sure about 69 on
My fact power steering 75 has 2 holes in that link. Presumably one is for power steering and the other for manual. Deleting all of the factory power bits was a source of major satisfaction for me lol.
The way the AIM reads the hole closer to center is for more responsive steering. If you have the strength or leverage, that would be the hole to be in
This is correct but you better be real strong in a parking lot. Also you know you've gone to far with this adjustment when your steering doesn't "self-center" when in a turn and you take your hands off the wheel. Also as Gary pointed out make sure your system is centered before making any adjustment.
Adjusted my steering box
