manual steering gear adjustment
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
From: Baton Rouge LA
manual steering gear adjustment
for those that have adjusted their manual steering gear, did you use the procedure shown in the GM service manual and apply the torque wrench to the steering wheel nut, or did you completely remove the gear and attach the wrench directly to the shaft and make adjustments? Reading a couple different procedures and wondering which is the better way to go. Sounds like if I remove the flex coupling to completely remove the gear, there is a little more work to reinstalling it, where I wouldn't have to touch it if I just put the torque wrench on the steering wheel like the GM manual suggests. only disadvantage is having to adjust lash, then go back to the wheel and so on. Still sounds like less work than taking the flex coupling apart, but maybe that's nothing either. Bolts on the flex coupling are also pretty rusty, so that could turn into a big job, though it would be nice to get the parts out and cleaned up and give them a fresh coat of paint.
your thoughts...
your thoughts...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,052
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver BC, Canada
just pull the box and do it on a bench. the measurements required are quite precise and must be done properly in order for success. having it on clamped in a vise make this easy. easier to pull the cap and inspect and relube too.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,182
Likes: 94
From: going faster miles an hour...with the radio on in browns mills new jersey
On my 65 GTO I did it on the car. It took less than an hour and made a world of difference. On my vette I took out the box, took it apart, checked the bushings, etc, etc, did it on the work bench. It really depends on what your goal is with the project.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,725
Likes: 5
From: Minnesota
CF's resident steering guru Jim Shea has this article at corvettfaq.
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/GearAd...-Rev21FE04.doc
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/GearAd...-Rev21FE04.doc
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 3
Either way is fine as long as you remove the pitman arm before you start the procedure. If you have ever had the rag joint off you know there is virtually no drag in the steering column. Just make sure you use a torque wrench with 25 in-lb full scale to get accurate settings.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,175
Likes: 3,990
From: Connecticut, USA
You can do it both ways, but it's better to do it on the bench. As the guys said, if you're going to adjust the lash you might as well check the grease by removing the cover. My own opinion is to go through it at that point since you have it out and are going to adjust it anyway.
If you have any questions let me know and I'll walk you through the job.
Gary
If you have any questions let me know and I'll walk you through the job.
Gary
