Play in steering wheel??
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: Viva Nash Vegas! TN
Play in steering wheel??
I remember someone posted possible reasons for this a while back. it seems to have happenned to me lately. The alignment is fine BTW. I think there is a gearbox screw you can tighten, but I remember there were risks to this.
Thanks for any help.
Thanks for any help.
Racer
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 401
Likes: 0
From: Carlsbad CA
There is an adjustment that can be made, and I'm sure someone will chime in before I get home from work to look up the exact sequence.
When I made the adjustment, it was liek driving a completely different car, and I couldn't believe it had taken me so long to do it. Yes, there is a concern that if you tighten the sterring lash too much, you risk premature wear on the steering gears, but even with a very small adjustment on mine, the difference was huge, and well worth the very slight risk.
Just found this-- a link to a crossedflags forum post detailing the "Lars method" for doing it, along with a description of the risks:http://www.crossedflags.com/nuke/htm...ewtopic&t=7448 It's got everything you need but pictures.
When I made the adjustment, it was liek driving a completely different car, and I couldn't believe it had taken me so long to do it. Yes, there is a concern that if you tighten the sterring lash too much, you risk premature wear on the steering gears, but even with a very small adjustment on mine, the difference was huge, and well worth the very slight risk.
Just found this-- a link to a crossedflags forum post detailing the "Lars method" for doing it, along with a description of the risks:http://www.crossedflags.com/nuke/htm...ewtopic&t=7448 It's got everything you need but pictures.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,469
Likes: 6
From: 68 427 4.11s Roadster
The rag joint might need to be replaced too. Its that funny connection on the steering shaft going to the box. You can sometimes check it with someone else rocking the wheel back and forth while you look at the shaft and play.
If the box adjustment doesn't help probably the rag joint.
If the box adjustment doesn't help probably the rag joint.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 584
Likes: 0
From: Okemos MI
Originally Posted by thebruce
There is an adjustment that can be made, and I'm sure someone will chime in before I get home from work to look up the exact sequence.
When I made the adjustment, it was liek driving a completely different car, and I couldn't believe it had taken me so long to do it. Yes, there is a concern that if you tighten the sterring lash too much, you risk premature wear on the steering gears, but even with a very small adjustment on mine, the difference was huge, and well worth the very slight risk.
Just found this-- a link to a crossedflags forum post detailing the "Lars method" for doing it, along with a description of the risks:http://www.crossedflags.com/nuke/htm...ewtopic&t=7448 It's got everything you need but pictures.
When I made the adjustment, it was liek driving a completely different car, and I couldn't believe it had taken me so long to do it. Yes, there is a concern that if you tighten the sterring lash too much, you risk premature wear on the steering gears, but even with a very small adjustment on mine, the difference was huge, and well worth the very slight risk.
Just found this-- a link to a crossedflags forum post detailing the "Lars method" for doing it, along with a description of the risks:http://www.crossedflags.com/nuke/htm...ewtopic&t=7448 It's got everything you need but pictures.
Same with me, I kicked myself for not doing it sooner! Just a little...
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,706
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Originally Posted by Techno
The rag joint might need to be replaced too. Its that funny connection on the steering shaft going to the box. You can sometimes check it with someone else rocking the wheel back and forth while you look at the shaft and play.
If the box adjustment doesn't help probably the rag joint.
If the box adjustment doesn't help probably the rag joint.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
The link to the "Lars Method" of steering gear adjustment is really the Saginaw Steering Gear/Jim Shea adjustment method. My original steering system papers (including the in-vehicle steering gear adjustment paper) were originally posted and are available in the Steering Section at Terry Rudy's www.corvettefaq.com websight.
Not that I make any money off of writing the papers. But it is disappointing to see my entire paper taken from the corvettefaq websight and republished at the crossflags websight with everything but my name at the bottom of the paper.
Many of my papers are updated or revised as new information or feedback is obtained. That is why you will see revision dates right after the title on many of my papers at the corvettefaq websight. All of the latest papers are at Terry Rudy's sight.
Here is the link to the corvettefaq paper with the latest revision: http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/GearAd...-Rev21FE04.doc
Just my $0.02
Jim Shea
Not that I make any money off of writing the papers. But it is disappointing to see my entire paper taken from the corvettefaq websight and republished at the crossflags websight with everything but my name at the bottom of the paper.
Many of my papers are updated or revised as new information or feedback is obtained. That is why you will see revision dates right after the title on many of my papers at the corvettefaq websight. All of the latest papers are at Terry Rudy's sight.
Here is the link to the corvettefaq paper with the latest revision: http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/GearAd...-Rev21FE04.doc
Just my $0.02
Jim Shea
Last edited by Jim Shea; Jul 30, 2005 at 08:58 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Mr. Jim Shea is the Steering Expert.
I have posted how to adjust the lash on the forum. The nice thing about that was that guys could do something fast & easy & make a major improvement. What was even better was when Steering Expert Mr. Jim Shea joined the forum & posted & wrote papers.
I have adjusted many & it can make a day & night difference.
I have posted how to adjust the lash on the forum. The nice thing about that was that guys could do something fast & easy & make a major improvement. What was even better was when Steering Expert Mr. Jim Shea joined the forum & posted & wrote papers.
I have adjusted many & it can make a day & night difference.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 1
From: New Cumberland PA
Jim:
The post in the other forum was not from Lar's himself. How he got credited for writing it is unsure. I am in no way going to guess, speculate, or assume anything.
There are certain members on this forum with the upmost credibilty on certain subject matter(s). I have no doubt that when it comes to steering you are the expert. I have read many of your post and have come to the conclusion that you know the Saginaw steering box better than anyone else. Glad you clarified who the author of the adjustment proceedure really was.
The post in the other forum was not from Lar's himself. How he got credited for writing it is unsure. I am in no way going to guess, speculate, or assume anything.
There are certain members on this forum with the upmost credibilty on certain subject matter(s). I have no doubt that when it comes to steering you are the expert. I have read many of your post and have come to the conclusion that you know the Saginaw steering box better than anyone else. Glad you clarified who the author of the adjustment proceedure really was.
Racer
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 401
Likes: 0
From: Carlsbad CA
Jim-
My sincere apologies, and belated thanks for helping me sort my wandering steering out. Your efforts (and Terry's with corvettefaq.com) are no doubt underappreciated by most. I also appreciate and respect the professional way you brought up the lack of due credit. Fewer and fewer folks on the forum demonstrate that sort of class.
-Bob B.
My sincere apologies, and belated thanks for helping me sort my wandering steering out. Your efforts (and Terry's with corvettefaq.com) are no doubt underappreciated by most. I also appreciate and respect the professional way you brought up the lack of due credit. Fewer and fewer folks on the forum demonstrate that sort of class.
-Bob B.
Cruising
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh NC
Hi Jim.
Thank you for the whitepapers on C3 steering. I started disassembling my tilt/tele 1971 column about a year ago... got a little scared and stopped. My wife and I have been trying to get everything re-assembled and have had a rather difficult time with the C-clip that holds the steering wheel on.. it seems you need several hundred pounds of force to compress the spring.
I seem to recall a diagram of a tool and reference to it in the document. What is this compression tool called, and where can I get one?
Thanks again for all of your help.
-Steve
Thank you for the whitepapers on C3 steering. I started disassembling my tilt/tele 1971 column about a year ago... got a little scared and stopped. My wife and I have been trying to get everything re-assembled and have had a rather difficult time with the C-clip that holds the steering wheel on.. it seems you need several hundred pounds of force to compress the spring.
I seem to recall a diagram of a tool and reference to it in the document. What is this compression tool called, and where can I get one?
Thanks again for all of your help.
-Steve
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,725
Likes: 5
From: Minnesota
Originally Posted by Jim Shea
The link to the "Lars Method" of steering gear adjustment is really the Saginaw Steering Gear/Jim Shea adjustment method. My original steering system papers (including the in-vehicle steering gear adjustment paper) were originally posted and are available in the Steering Section at Terry Rudy's www.corvettefaq.com websight.
Not that I make any money off of writing the papers. But it is disappointing to see my entire paper taken from the corvettefaq websight and republished at the crossflags websight with everything but my name at the bottom of the paper.
Jim Shea
Not that I make any money off of writing the papers. But it is disappointing to see my entire paper taken from the corvettefaq websight and republished at the crossflags websight with everything but my name at the bottom of the paper.
Jim Shea
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,175
Likes: 3,987
From: Connecticut, USA
Jim is a number 1 guy. It takes a bit of time to put together the information he does and share with others. I've done some papers for this forum too and would be pissed if someone used them for purposes other then helping the common corvette guy.
Jim thank you and please continue to offer your support. Most of the guys here really do appreciate it. I certainly have used your papers as I have those from Lars, Norval, and others.
Gary
PS if you want to strike we can pull our papers offline!!
Jim thank you and please continue to offer your support. Most of the guys here really do appreciate it. I certainly have used your papers as I have those from Lars, Norval, and others.
Gary
PS if you want to strike we can pull our papers offline!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 918
Likes: 5
From: Gainesville FL
I found an easy way to get the C-clamp on since I don't have access to the bridge tool Jim Shea mentioned. Get two paint can openers that look like screwdrivers, but have a 90 degree bend right at the end. Push the C-clamp onto the column, then push the point of one of the openers into the channel. Twist the opener a bit, then you can insert the second one on the other side. This will hold the plate in place so you don't have to keep tension on it the whole time. Twist the openers a bit to give enough clearance to drop the C-clamp in. This made it much, much easier than trying to hold the plate in by hand and somehow work the clamp in place before my fingers gave out!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
It is my understanding that the bridge tool can be borrowed from Autozone and other automotive stores. I think that they understand that most people won't need the tool more than once or twice in a lifetime. Otherwise, I am sure that it is available to purchase and it is not extremely expensive.
BTW, thanks for the kind comments.
Jim
BTW, thanks for the kind comments.
Jim
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 918
Likes: 5
From: Gainesville FL
Jim,
I also wanted to add my gratitude for your papers and your willingness to share your expertise. I had to put in a new turn signal switch a few weeks ago and your paper was almost like having an expert coach sitting next to me throughout the job. Now I just have to figure out what telescope locking parts my thoughtful PO lost in addition to the rod. There were no locking shoes where they were supposed to be.
VG
I also wanted to add my gratitude for your papers and your willingness to share your expertise. I had to put in a new turn signal switch a few weeks ago and your paper was almost like having an expert coach sitting next to me throughout the job. Now I just have to figure out what telescope locking parts my thoughtful PO lost in addition to the rod. There were no locking shoes where they were supposed to be.
VG
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,040
Likes: 109
Originally Posted by gtr1999
Jim is a number 1 guy. It takes a bit of time to put together the information he does and share with others. I've done some papers for this forum too and would be pissed if someone used them for purposes other then helping the common corvette guy.
Jim thank you and please continue to offer your support. Most of the guys here really do appreciate it. I certainly have used your papers as I have those from Lars, Norval, and others.
Gary
PS if you want to strike we can pull our papers offline!!
Jim thank you and please continue to offer your support. Most of the guys here really do appreciate it. I certainly have used your papers as I have those from Lars, Norval, and others.
Gary
PS if you want to strike we can pull our papers offline!!
100% I myself use the information thats comes from a worth while source. Enough said, Thanks guys.