reinstalling the steering box
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 292
Likes: 41
From: Falls Church VA
reinstalling the steering box
I marked the position of the steering box including the pittman arm; however, much to my chagrin, after I cleaned the box I accidentally removed the markings. Can someone suggest the best way to reinstall the box in the correct position? Should I manually turn the wheels one way and then manually turn the gearbox all the way in the same direction and then install??
Thanks,
Steve
Thanks,
Steve
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
Likes: 8
From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
According to the manual, just align your marks up...
It looks like you should attach the steering gear, then:
1) Get the front wheels straight as possible (maybe by rolling the car back then forward again).
2) Gently turn steering wheel all the way to one side until you feel resistance from the steering gear.
3) Turn wheel all the way to the other side and count the turns.
4) Move wheel to exactly half way. Steering wheel should be level.
5) Attach pittman.
6) Fine tuning or centering of the steering wheel is done via adjusting the linkage in exactly equal amounts on both sides.
Don't know if this helps or not...
It looks like you should attach the steering gear, then:
1) Get the front wheels straight as possible (maybe by rolling the car back then forward again).
2) Gently turn steering wheel all the way to one side until you feel resistance from the steering gear.
3) Turn wheel all the way to the other side and count the turns.
4) Move wheel to exactly half way. Steering wheel should be level.
5) Attach pittman.
6) Fine tuning or centering of the steering wheel is done via adjusting the linkage in exactly equal amounts on both sides.
Don't know if this helps or not...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
Z-Man is correct but installing the pitman arm in the correct location is not that difficult. There are four blank (missing) teeth equally spaced around the pitman shaft. Which means that the pitman arm (with one blocked tooth) can be installed in any of four locations.
Since the pitman shaft only sweeps 80 degrees, with the gear anywhere near on-center, the one blank tooth that allows the pitman arm to be installed pointing forward in the car has got to be the correct location for the arm.
Jim
Since the pitman shaft only sweeps 80 degrees, with the gear anywhere near on-center, the one blank tooth that allows the pitman arm to be installed pointing forward in the car has got to be the correct location for the arm.
Jim
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 292
Likes: 41
From: Falls Church VA
Originally Posted by Z-man
According to the manual, just align your marks up...
It looks like you should attach the steering gear, then:
1) Get the front wheels straight as possible (maybe by rolling the car back then forward again).
2) Gently turn steering wheel all the way to one side until you feel resistance from the steering gear.
3) Turn wheel all the way to the other side and count the turns.
4) Move wheel to exactly half way. Steering wheel should be level.
5) Attach pittman.
6) Fine tuning or centering of the steering wheel is done via adjusting the linkage in exactly equal amounts on both sides.
Don't know if this helps or not...
It looks like you should attach the steering gear, then:
1) Get the front wheels straight as possible (maybe by rolling the car back then forward again).
2) Gently turn steering wheel all the way to one side until you feel resistance from the steering gear.
3) Turn wheel all the way to the other side and count the turns.
4) Move wheel to exactly half way. Steering wheel should be level.
5) Attach pittman.
6) Fine tuning or centering of the steering wheel is done via adjusting the linkage in exactly equal amounts on both sides.
Don't know if this helps or not...
Thanks,
Steve
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
This link to a paper on steering system centering is all you ever want to know (and maybe more than you want to know) about the proper setup of the components in your steering system.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...Rev11MR062.doc
If you need to adjust your tie rods, here are explanations as to the AIM sheet on tie rod clamp location.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...-Rev21JA06.doc
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...ised14FE04.doc
Good luck,
Jim
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...Rev11MR062.doc
If you need to adjust your tie rods, here are explanations as to the AIM sheet on tie rod clamp location.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...-Rev21JA06.doc
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...ised14FE04.doc
Good luck,
Jim
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
Likes: 8
From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
Originally Posted by Jim Shea
This link to a paper on steering system centering is all you ever want to know (and maybe more than you want to know) about the proper setup of the components in your steering system.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...Rev11MR062.doc
If you need to adjust your tie rods, here are explanations as to the AIM sheet on tie rod clamp location.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...-Rev21JA06.doc
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...ised14FE04.doc
Good luck,
Jim
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...Rev11MR062.doc
If you need to adjust your tie rods, here are explanations as to the AIM sheet on tie rod clamp location.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...-Rev21JA06.doc
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...ised14FE04.doc
Good luck,
Jim
Hey - good info!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 292
Likes: 41
From: Falls Church VA
Originally Posted by Jim Shea
This link to a paper on steering system centering is all you ever want to know (and maybe more than you want to know) about the proper setup of the components in your steering system.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...Rev11MR062.doc
If you need to adjust your tie rods, here are explanations as to the AIM sheet on tie rod clamp location.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...-Rev21JA06.doc
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...ised14FE04.doc
Good luck,
Jim
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...Rev11MR062.doc
If you need to adjust your tie rods, here are explanations as to the AIM sheet on tie rod clamp location.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...-Rev21JA06.doc
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...ised14FE04.doc
Good luck,
Jim
OK, one more question... Can you tell me what type of lubricant that I should use when rebuilidng the gearbox and where can I get it?Thanks again,
Steve
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,173
Likes: 3,982
From: Connecticut, USA
Jim knows his stuff for sure!
I use Mobil 1 synthetic when rebuilding them. I looked at other greases but they didn't seem to be correct for this when talking with the tech support people. The only thing I don't like about the Moible is it will separate as all do. I use it to lube seals and in unsealed parts like ball joints. You will notice some red liquid at those points but the grease properties remain intact. Cost has gone up a lot on grease due to the cost of oil.
I use Mobil 1 synthetic when rebuilding them. I looked at other greases but they didn't seem to be correct for this when talking with the tech support people. The only thing I don't like about the Moible is it will separate as all do. I use it to lube seals and in unsealed parts like ball joints. You will notice some red liquid at those points but the grease properties remain intact. Cost has gone up a lot on grease due to the cost of oil.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
Saginaw engineers always said to use a good grade of lithium based chassis (or ball joint) grease. Of course, Saginaw hasn't produced a manual gear in the last 20 years. So, all of their experience and testing is based upon 20 year old metallurgy and grease technology. A lot of things have changed in the last 20 years - including greases.
You won't go wrong with their recommendation. But there certainly could be better greases available today. I just don't know how to rate them.
Jim
You won't go wrong with their recommendation. But there certainly could be better greases available today. I just don't know how to rate them.
Jim
Last edited by Jim Shea; Mar 18, 2006 at 10:19 AM.
