82 CE Steering Play
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 25
Likes: 2
From: Byron, Ga
82 CE Steering Play
I have an 82 CE with just under 100k miles on it. I'm trying to figure out how much play I should expect in the steering. Seems there us more than there should be for a Vette. I know I have a lower ball joint needing attention, and that can cause some of the looseness.
Should I expect no play after the ball joint is replaced, or is it normal for there to be some play in the steering mechanism if everything is up to spec?
Should I expect no play after the ball joint is replaced, or is it normal for there to be some play in the steering mechanism if everything is up to spec?
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 1,185
From: Arizona - If you don’t know CFI, STOP proliferating the myths around it...
I have an 82 CE with just under 100k miles on it. I'm trying to figure out how much play I should expect in the steering. Seems there us more than there should be for a Vette. I know I have a lower ball joint needing attention, and that can cause some of the looseness.
Should I expect no play after the ball joint is replaced, or is it normal for there to be some play in the steering mechanism if everything is up to spec?
Should I expect no play after the ball joint is replaced, or is it normal for there to be some play in the steering mechanism if everything is up to spec?
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Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Research and identify a GOOD and WELL RECOMMENDED alignment shop in your area which has good history of working on Corvettes (C2 & C3 especially). Make an appointment to have them inspect your steering and suspension and report any significant non-conformance items which should be corrected before an alignment should be attempted.
A good shop will have no problem providing this for you and for making an estimate of any of that work they could perform for you. But make sure that you tell them you wish to PAY for this inspection and may or may not do the work yourself, have them do the work, or have another source do the work. DO NOT commit to them ahead of the inspection that you intend to have them do this work.
Once you know what issues you have with steering and suspension you can decide how you want to proceed with the necessary work to repair.
A good shop will have no problem providing this for you and for making an estimate of any of that work they could perform for you. But make sure that you tell them you wish to PAY for this inspection and may or may not do the work yourself, have them do the work, or have another source do the work. DO NOT commit to them ahead of the inspection that you intend to have them do this work.
Once you know what issues you have with steering and suspension you can decide how you want to proceed with the necessary work to repair.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,232
Likes: 1,232
From: PHX AZ
Obviously you have to go thrugh the fundamentals and remove all play from ALL the OTHER components before you go this route.
The Corvette has a 'recirculating ball linkage booster' system.
The play in the steering box ITSELF is adjustable. There is a lock nut and allen head screw on the top of the box...it is quite accesible.
1. HOLD Allen head in position.
2. Loosen lock-nut.
3. Mark position of Allen head.
4. Tighten Allen head slightly.
5. Rotate the front wheels left and right (engine off) wheels in air.
6. FEEL 'slop' or play in the wheel.
7. Did it get better.
8. You must sneak up on the tightness of the allen, This takes the slop out of the recirculating *****.
9. DO NOT OVER DO IT....a little loose is better than too tight.
10.When you fell the 'wiggle' in the steering when has been diminished QUIT!
11. Tighten lock nut while holding allen.
12. Mark final position.
13. Road test.
CHECK RAG JOINT IN STEERING COLUMN FOR PLAY LOOSENESS AND DEGRADATION.
UNKAHAL
The Corvette has a 'recirculating ball linkage booster' system.
The play in the steering box ITSELF is adjustable. There is a lock nut and allen head screw on the top of the box...it is quite accesible.
1. HOLD Allen head in position.
2. Loosen lock-nut.
3. Mark position of Allen head.
4. Tighten Allen head slightly.
5. Rotate the front wheels left and right (engine off) wheels in air.
6. FEEL 'slop' or play in the wheel.
7. Did it get better.
8. You must sneak up on the tightness of the allen, This takes the slop out of the recirculating *****.
9. DO NOT OVER DO IT....a little loose is better than too tight.
10.When you fell the 'wiggle' in the steering when has been diminished QUIT!
11. Tighten lock nut while holding allen.
12. Mark final position.
13. Road test.
CHECK RAG JOINT IN STEERING COLUMN FOR PLAY LOOSENESS AND DEGRADATION.
UNKAHAL
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 53
Likes: 24
From: Indiana
I have very little, if any, play in my '82 steering. So, just anecdotally it seems possible to get there. It was that way when I got it several years back and it still is that way. I hope you get it figured out easily!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 2,380
Likes: 838
From: New York
2017 C3 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '20- '21
If everything else is good follow L-46 man's instructions. I did so on my two Vettes and it incredibly improved the sloppy steering issue. If you go too far you will also loose the automatic return on the steering.. Have fun and good luck!! Ike
Old Pro Solo Guy
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 8,107
Likes: 4,465
From: Marlton NJ
Yes there are many moving parts between the steering wheel and the tires. With a little helper gently moving the wheel right/left you could trace it all the way to the wheels and find any severely loose components at home.
Several common suspects that wear out badly are: Rag joint, steering box itself, and pass side idler arm. All the other joints are important too, but these three are especially bad when loose. And can introduce enormous amounts of "free-play" I had a bad rag joint that cause 3 inches of free play all by itself once.
Several common suspects that wear out badly are: Rag joint, steering box itself, and pass side idler arm. All the other joints are important too, but these three are especially bad when loose. And can introduce enormous amounts of "free-play" I had a bad rag joint that cause 3 inches of free play all by itself once.
