steering problem, need help
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 179
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From: gainesville florida
steering problem, need help
Hi,
I have a 71' coupe and have done a frame off, and replaced the stock body mounts with rubber from a 73', which raised the body off the frame about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch.
I have fixed the sterring box to steering shaft alignment problem by raising the box, but now have more problems.
I think the links, power steering, willflex to accomadate the height difference, but wondering about the clearence of the oil pan.
Also wondering if someone knows of a " offset" pitman arm.
Thanks for the help.
Jw
I have a 71' coupe and have done a frame off, and replaced the stock body mounts with rubber from a 73', which raised the body off the frame about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch.
I have fixed the sterring box to steering shaft alignment problem by raising the box, but now have more problems.
I think the links, power steering, willflex to accomadate the height difference, but wondering about the clearence of the oil pan.
Also wondering if someone knows of a " offset" pitman arm.
Thanks for the help.
Jw
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,128
Likes: 21
From: North Alabama
I don't believe the links or oil pan either one would have changed with changing body mounts. They should stay the same whether the body is on, off orchanged at all. Correct me if I'm wrong here...
Last edited by Jclgodale3; Aug 5, 2005 at 09:47 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 179
Likes: 1
From: gainesville florida
yes sir, your wrong.
If you raise the body, which I did, then you change the alignment of the steering column with the steering box, as the box is still mounted to the frame.
You then have to raise the box to meet the column, which by doing that, the steering linkage then has to flex as it is still mounted to the tierod ends that are still mounted to the frame.
If the steering linkage flexs up to meet the new location of the box, will it hit on the oil pan?
Simple solution is to find a offset pitman arm.
Thus my original question.
btw, i do play vollyball.
If you raise the body, which I did, then you change the alignment of the steering column with the steering box, as the box is still mounted to the frame.
You then have to raise the box to meet the column, which by doing that, the steering linkage then has to flex as it is still mounted to the tierod ends that are still mounted to the frame.
If the steering linkage flexs up to meet the new location of the box, will it hit on the oil pan?
Simple solution is to find a offset pitman arm.
Thus my original question.
btw, i do play vollyball.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,128
Likes: 21
From: North Alabama
Originally Posted by tarheeljww
yes sir, your wrong.
If you raise the body, which I did, then you change the alignment of the steering column with the steering box, as the box is still mounted to the frame.
You then have to raise the box to meet the column, which by doing that, the steering linkage then has to flex as it is still mounted to the tierod ends that are still mounted to the frame.
If the steering linkage flexs up to meet the new location of the box, will it hit on the oil pan?
Simple solution is to find a offset pitman arm.
Thus my original question.
btw, i do play vollyball.
If you raise the body, which I did, then you change the alignment of the steering column with the steering box, as the box is still mounted to the frame.
You then have to raise the box to meet the column, which by doing that, the steering linkage then has to flex as it is still mounted to the tierod ends that are still mounted to the frame.
If the steering linkage flexs up to meet the new location of the box, will it hit on the oil pan?
Simple solution is to find a offset pitman arm.
Thus my original question.
btw, i do play vollyball.
Maybe others, and there are several here, who have done the same thing, will chime in?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 179
Likes: 1
From: gainesville florida
Hey,
didn't think the steering column could be adjusted , how did you do that?
Is there an adjustment on the firewall, or did you "make" an adjustment.
That would solve my problems.
Thanks,
Jw
didn't think the steering column could be adjusted , how did you do that?
Is there an adjustment on the firewall, or did you "make" an adjustment.
That would solve my problems.
Thanks,
Jw
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,128
Likes: 21
From: North Alabama
there are adjustments in the cradle it goes up into under the dash but the adjustment you need is in the plate at the firewall. There should be slots under the plate. Try loosening the bracket (4 bolts I think) under the dash in the cradle. Then loosen the ones on the plate at the firewall. It will not only allow the column to slip "up and down" but for and aft as well. Good luck. Let me know if it works...it should...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
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From: Saginaw Michigan
I am curious, how did you raise the gear? Did you drill new holes in the frame? It would seem quite difficult to raise the gear only 1/2 inch. Since the mounting bolts are 3/8 inch, it would seem that the clearance holes in the frame would almost overlap.
One other thing . Even if you have clearance to the oil pan, if you raise the gear and not the idler arm, the linkage relay rod will not be parallel to the ground. The tie rods will have unequal angles. You will most likely have some front end orbiting as you drive straight down the road.
Jim
One other thing . Even if you have clearance to the oil pan, if you raise the gear and not the idler arm, the linkage relay rod will not be parallel to the ground. The tie rods will have unequal angles. You will most likely have some front end orbiting as you drive straight down the road.
Jim
Last edited by Jim Shea; Aug 6, 2005 at 06:25 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,128
Likes: 21
From: North Alabama
Originally Posted by Jim Shea
I am curious, how did you raise the gear? Did you drill new holes in the frame? It would seem quite difficult to raise the gear only 1/2 inch. Since the mounting bolts are 3/8 inch, it would seem that the clearance holes in the frame would almost overlap.
One other thing . Even if you have clearance to the oil pan, if you raise the gear and not the idler arm, the linkage relay rod will not be parallel to the ground. The tie rods will have unequal angles. You will most likely have some from end orbiting as you drive straight down the road.
Jim
One other thing . Even if you have clearance to the oil pan, if you raise the gear and not the idler arm, the linkage relay rod will not be parallel to the ground. The tie rods will have unequal angles. You will most likely have some from end orbiting as you drive straight down the road.
Jim
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 179
Likes: 1
From: gainesville florida
Goodmorning,
Thanks for the info on the adjustments on the steering column.
To answer the other guys questions,
I welded a 3" angle iron onto the frame, which alloed me to bolt the bottom bolt in the frame and the top two into the angle iron, and raise the box.
My concern was for the flex of the linkage , and was originaly looking for an offset pitman, or was going to modify the pitman my self.
Had no idea the steering could be adjusted.
Now I will back up, and cut the angle off and start again.
It's only time [ and money]
Thanks again.
Jw
Thanks for the info on the adjustments on the steering column.
To answer the other guys questions,
I welded a 3" angle iron onto the frame, which alloed me to bolt the bottom bolt in the frame and the top two into the angle iron, and raise the box.
My concern was for the flex of the linkage , and was originaly looking for an offset pitman, or was going to modify the pitman my self.
Had no idea the steering could be adjusted.
Now I will back up, and cut the angle off and start again.
It's only time [ and money]
Thanks again.
Jw
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
At risk of sounding a pest, I will ask this question anyway.
The two bolt holes on the front side of the gear housing barrel are 3 inches apart. From your description as to how you relocated the gear, it would seem that you moved it the 3 inches upward. If the rubber body to frame bushings raised your body at most 1/2 inch, it would seem that your relocation of the gear would make things much worse. (i.e. the gear is now 2 1/2 inches above the steering column rather than the steering column being 1/2 inch above the gear!)
This is a link to the C3 steering column installation drawing.
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/StrgCo...llationPic.doc
It would seem that you might slot the two holes in the part called the Plate & Seal. This might allow you to lower the end of the steering column until the tubular end of the steering column hits the cutout in the dash.
The following is a scan of the 1976 C3 AIM sheet which covers the steering column installation. It should be the same for your 1970. It also may give you some direction as to how to adjust the steering column in the car.
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/StrgCo...tallAIMPic.doc
Good luck,
Jim
The two bolt holes on the front side of the gear housing barrel are 3 inches apart. From your description as to how you relocated the gear, it would seem that you moved it the 3 inches upward. If the rubber body to frame bushings raised your body at most 1/2 inch, it would seem that your relocation of the gear would make things much worse. (i.e. the gear is now 2 1/2 inches above the steering column rather than the steering column being 1/2 inch above the gear!)
This is a link to the C3 steering column installation drawing.
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/StrgCo...llationPic.doc
It would seem that you might slot the two holes in the part called the Plate & Seal. This might allow you to lower the end of the steering column until the tubular end of the steering column hits the cutout in the dash.
The following is a scan of the 1976 C3 AIM sheet which covers the steering column installation. It should be the same for your 1970. It also may give you some direction as to how to adjust the steering column in the car.
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/StrgCo...tallAIMPic.doc
Good luck,
Jim
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 179
Likes: 1
From: gainesville florida
Hi Jim,
I used a 3" of angle iron for the top two holes and drilled a single hole in the frame to support the lower end of the box, actually used one of the original bolts, but only raised the box 3/4.
Does that answer your question?
So, now I have to cut the angle iron off and will probably leave the hole I drilled.
Should have asked before I started welding.
I know now.
Thanks again for your help.
Jw
I used a 3" of angle iron for the top two holes and drilled a single hole in the frame to support the lower end of the box, actually used one of the original bolts, but only raised the box 3/4.
Does that answer your question?
So, now I have to cut the angle iron off and will probably leave the hole I drilled.
Should have asked before I started welding.
I know now.
Thanks again for your help.
Jw
