76 stearing box
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 13
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76 stearing box
Working on my son's 76 T top. He and I have been updating suspension, brakes, etc.
The stearing box had to be rebuilt, as the previous owner probably never had it adjusted(98,000Mi) and it would not adjust to spec when taken out of the car.
When I got it back from the rebuilder it only had about 2-3LBs drag at center so, adjusted the LB per Ft torque to 14LB on center and 5-7LB at the ends,(I could not adjust the worm bearing adjuster nut to turn clockwise to tighten it at all. not sure if the finish jamed the threds or what). Problem is, I had to practically put the gear lash adjuster screw almost down level with the lock nut to get the proper torque.
When I installed it in the car, it was soooooo stiff, that I had to back off on the adjuster screw, to loosen it up again.
Playing with the adjusting screw it is now about two turns out, which is where it was when it came back from the rebuilder. If I turn the gear lash adjuster screw even a 1/2 turn in, it gets very stiff at the stearing wheel and I can not tell if there is still slop at the stearing wheel.
The end result, is that the stearing wheel has about 3-6 degree slop in it, and does not make the car a pleasure to drive.
What are we doing wrong with the adjustment????? Can not figure it out????
Thanks
The stearing box had to be rebuilt, as the previous owner probably never had it adjusted(98,000Mi) and it would not adjust to spec when taken out of the car.
When I got it back from the rebuilder it only had about 2-3LBs drag at center so, adjusted the LB per Ft torque to 14LB on center and 5-7LB at the ends,(I could not adjust the worm bearing adjuster nut to turn clockwise to tighten it at all. not sure if the finish jamed the threds or what). Problem is, I had to practically put the gear lash adjuster screw almost down level with the lock nut to get the proper torque.
When I installed it in the car, it was soooooo stiff, that I had to back off on the adjuster screw, to loosen it up again.
Playing with the adjusting screw it is now about two turns out, which is where it was when it came back from the rebuilder. If I turn the gear lash adjuster screw even a 1/2 turn in, it gets very stiff at the stearing wheel and I can not tell if there is still slop at the stearing wheel.
The end result, is that the stearing wheel has about 3-6 degree slop in it, and does not make the car a pleasure to drive.
What are we doing wrong with the adjustment????? Can not figure it out????
Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 11,593
Likes: 173
From: Clayton NC
The adjuster is not the only adjustment to make you have to make the intial on the large nut. If you get the NCRS Restorer there was a good article by Bill Bradley and Duke Williams or just do a search on gtrr1999 and he has in the recent past written quite a bit about steering box rebuilds and setting the correct preload.. Dave.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,175
Likes: 3,987
From: Connecticut, USA
Sounds like you overadjusted the box alright,hopefully you didn't wreck the center tooth on the pitman shaft. Did you speak to your rebuilder?
What I would do is remove it from the car and start from the beginning. If the lash screw if almost level with the nut that's not a good sign. The gears might be gone, if fact they might have been bad when you got it back. Was this your box or an exchange box?
You have to measure the brg preload first then the lash. The lash screw gap should be under .002". These are the basic adjustments, if you want to go further check the sideplay in the pitman shaft bushing.
When you find out what you have let me know and I'll go over it with you.
Good luck,
Gary
What I would do is remove it from the car and start from the beginning. If the lash screw if almost level with the nut that's not a good sign. The gears might be gone, if fact they might have been bad when you got it back. Was this your box or an exchange box?
You have to measure the brg preload first then the lash. The lash screw gap should be under .002". These are the basic adjustments, if you want to go further check the sideplay in the pitman shaft bushing.
When you find out what you have let me know and I'll go over it with you.
Good luck,
Gary
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 223
Likes: 14
From: South Florida
Originally Posted by 76 Orange Flame
What are we doing wrong with the adjustment????? Can not figure it out????
Thanks
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com
or...just grab this file...
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...-Rev21JA06.doc
I just did this with my '79. Followed instructions and my steering is perfect...good luck!!
