how much "play" in steering
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 4
From: Fairview Heights Illinois, near Saint Louis MO, STL C3 Shark
how much "play" in steering
How much "play" should there be where the pitman arm attaches to the power steering stuff? I get a little wiggle there, not noticable while driving, but if someone turns the steering wheel while the wheel is off and looking at it you can tell there is some more than I'd think is normal.
Jeremy
Jeremy
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 10,362
Likes: 5
From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!
Originally Posted by ruby76
How much "play" should there be where the pitman arm attaches to the power steering stuff? I get a little wiggle there, not noticable while driving, but if someone turns the steering wheel while the wheel is off and looking at it you can tell there is some more than I'd think is normal.
Jeremy
Jeremy
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,166
Likes: 3,968
From: Connecticut, USA
Check the play with the pump running. There should be no play in the box- as you turn the steering wheel the pitman arm shoudl move too. If you have play there you may need adjustment. Look at the lash screw on the cover-does it show a couple of threads on the screw or does it look bottomed out? Look for play in the rag joint and the control valve ball stud.
Let me know if you need any help,
Gary
Let me know if you need any help,
Gary
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 445
Likes: 1
Jeremy, had the same issue with mine. Adjusted the lash screw on the top of the steering box and play is gone. Only turn it a 1/4 at atime and with the engine running. If it feels tight when turning, back off a little.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,166
Likes: 3,968
From: Connecticut, USA
Guys before you go adjusting the lash be sure you understand what you're doing. Over adjusting it will indeed tighten the feel, as you wear out the gears in a short time. The best way to adjust the box is OUT of the car on the work bench with a dial torque wrench. This may not be a steering box problem or it may be a combined problem. Look at the lash screw to see where it's at that will tell you a lot. The CV ball studs are sloppy a lot of times.
Gary
Gary
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
I concur about the worm screw on the steering box. My '72 had a bunch of play and you could seriously move the wheel at freeway speeds and the car would not change track. I watched the mechanic turn the screw two quarter turns with the engine running. He then had me turn the steering wheel full right and then full left and then checked the play again. It was almost all gone, and well within the limits I wanted. The car and steering box both have 180K miles on them and work fine.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 4
From: Fairview Heights Illinois, near Saint Louis MO, STL C3 Shark
The pitman arm moves immediately when the wheel is turned. The movement Im describing is where the pitman arm mounts on the "other" end. I check a buddies 77 and both seem the same. I feel no movement or lack thereof when steering back and forth on the freeway. So I guess Im just not describing it correctly. The location Im talking about is (just looked at the parts catalog) is where the pitman arm mounts to the ps control valve.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 4
From: Fairview Heights Illinois, near Saint Louis MO, STL C3 Shark
great photos. That's the part I was meaning to refer to. I think Im okay then, cause I dont' feel it when driving etc, but it seems a little "loose" when jacked up etc.
thx!
thx!
