Slop in the steering
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 11,891
Likes: 3
From: Kansas City, MO ...I'd like to go fishing and catch a fishstick. That'd be convenient. - Mitch Hedberg
Slop in the steering
I took my car out for a couple test drives around the block last night. What a feeling. The most notable problem I have now, is that there is a ton of slop in the steering wheel. Where do I need to start looking to track this down?
My 96 Chevy p/u suffers from the same, but less pronounced problem. My father in law adjusted the steering gear box on my truck and took most of the problem away. I'm curious to know two things. First, how much can I tighten the steering gear box with the adjustement screw without causing damage? And two, how hard are they to replace if I need to?
My 96 Chevy p/u suffers from the same, but less pronounced problem. My father in law adjusted the steering gear box on my truck and took most of the problem away. I'm curious to know two things. First, how much can I tighten the steering gear box with the adjustement screw without causing damage? And two, how hard are they to replace if I need to?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Visually check your flexible coupling first. Have someone inside the car, steer it left and right. The rubber disc should not be cracked or broken. The stop pins should not show any deep wear marks. If the part looks like it needs replacing, I recommend the original GM part and not the rebuild "kits" that are also available. The GM part (#7818568) for the 1969 through 1982 models is available through GM dealers and also through numerous Corvette suppliers.
If you want to adjust the steering gear, I recommend that you download and read the following paper on the procedure.
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/GearAd...-Rev21FE04.doc
If you want to adjust the steering gear, I recommend that you download and read the following paper on the procedure.
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/GearAd...-Rev21FE04.doc
Pro
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 511
Likes: 4
From: Phoenix AZ
I had a lot of play in my steering box, It was nearly impossible to get any of the adjustments to even move, they were frozen up tight. I replaced it with a rebuilt, it solved most of my steering slop. Of course I replaced all the joints, bushings, ends, and valve before I got to that point.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,164
Likes: 3,966
From: Connecticut, USA
Ak, I just PM you some info. I agree, stay away from the cheap joint kits. Watch out too on some of the "rebuilt" boxes,if they're anything like the "rebuilt" box I opened up a month ago you're not much better off.
Gary
Gary
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,128
Likes: 3
From: Deltona (son of Deland and DAYTONA) FL
get someone in the car to barely rock the steering wheel back and forth, only as much range as there is play. See where it stops moving parts. Look at the shaft, check the pitman arm, etc.
I have about 1/2" play in my wheel. I noticed the steering wheel and shaft were moving in unison. So was the pitman arm, but the wheels were not. I it turns out there is a little play where the pitman arm connects to the control valve. I'll get to it one of these days, 1/2" isn't too bad, just a little irratating.
I have about 1/2" play in my wheel. I noticed the steering wheel and shaft were moving in unison. So was the pitman arm, but the wheels were not. I it turns out there is a little play where the pitman arm connects to the control valve. I'll get to it one of these days, 1/2" isn't too bad, just a little irratating.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 21,455
Likes: 462
From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Seems like the three most "slop wearing" parts are either the rag joint, steering box or the control valve. Also the C3 steering link has two "inner" tie rods & two "outer" tie rods, which are "wearable" areas.
I have had both my Silver '75 & Blue '68 Corvette's steering box rebuilt by Bair's for $159. When they are done with it & you get it back, it looks & performs like a brand new steering box.
I have had both my Silver '75 & Blue '68 Corvette's steering box rebuilt by Bair's for $159. When they are done with it & you get it back, it looks & performs like a brand new steering box.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
A long, long time ago.... there was an article in one of the Vette mags about a guy who rebuilds the boxes.
I believe (correct me if I'm wrong) the bushings can wear, and if they do, replacing them is not a simple press-in deal. There is some align honing/boring that must be done to properly overhaul a box.... to make sure the bushing & gear centerlines are concentric.
Nobody is going to do that for $159.
I wonder what they really do for that $159 ?
What if the gears are shot? Not all gears are re-useable.
Comments?
I believe (correct me if I'm wrong) the bushings can wear, and if they do, replacing them is not a simple press-in deal. There is some align honing/boring that must be done to properly overhaul a box.... to make sure the bushing & gear centerlines are concentric.
Nobody is going to do that for $159.
I wonder what they really do for that $159 ?
What if the gears are shot? Not all gears are re-useable.
Comments?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
There are two bushings that support the pitman shaft. You press out theold ones and press in the new ones. You will have something like 0.003 or more clearance. This is the way it came (brand new) from the factory.
Norval Wilhelm custom made his own bushings, pressed them in place, and then honed them to exactly fit his pitman shaft. He is running about 0.001 clearance. He indicates that this eliminates all side to side motion of the pitman shaft that translates to lost motion between the steering wheel and road wheels. This procedure makes for a more precise gear.
Norval Wilhelm custom made his own bushings, pressed them in place, and then honed them to exactly fit his pitman shaft. He is running about 0.001 clearance. He indicates that this eliminates all side to side motion of the pitman shaft that translates to lost motion between the steering wheel and road wheels. This procedure makes for a more precise gear.