Sloppy Steering
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
Sloppy Steering
Guys, I just went for the first trip in my 1980 corvette since being rebuilt.
Everything seems pretty good except for the steering. There is a lot of play in the steering wheel before the actual wheels turn.
Any idea where I should start looking?
Steering box is origninal and was in good working order.
Thansk
Mike
Everything seems pretty good except for the steering. There is a lot of play in the steering wheel before the actual wheels turn.
Any idea where I should start looking?
Steering box is origninal and was in good working order.
Thansk
Mike
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
the original steering system has a lot or wear points.....and if any of the power steering components are not up to snuff the steering gets really sloppy.....you need to start looking at this system piece by piece. but don't be surprised if you have lots of stuff thats working at 80% and when its all combined the car steers really poorly. this is quite common and for some reason people don't like to openly acknowledge that there corvette handles horribly. Gary (GTR1999) rebuilds steering boxes and is a great source of info on the original set ups. i went for an after market rack and pinon unit after rebuilding the busnings and ball joints and i am quite pleased with it...oh and lets not forget the impact of poor rear alignment on steering....
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
I just went out and had a friend turn the wheel as I watched and heres what I seen.
The steering box moves the pitman arm, but the pitman arm is not transfering its motion to the rest of the steering system.
I have about 1/4" wheel turn before the tires start to turn....
Thanks
Mike
The steering box moves the pitman arm, but the pitman arm is not transfering its motion to the rest of the steering system.
I have about 1/4" wheel turn before the tires start to turn....
Thanks
Mike
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,575
Likes: 1
From: Tuttle OK
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Originally Posted by bobs77vet
this is quite common and for some reason people don't like to openly acknowledge that there corvette handles horribly. ....
Lars offers a pretty good paper on the project.. it includes beer, so it must be good..
edit...disclaimer...$300 or so for the front end parts only, does not include tires and alignment......
Last edited by Avette4me; Apr 21, 2006 at 10:44 PM.
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Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by celeryman22
I just went out and had a friend turn the wheel as I watched and heres what I seen.
The steering box moves the pitman arm, but the pitman arm is not transfering its motion to the rest of the steering system.
I have about 1/4" wheel turn before the tires start to turn....
Thanks
Mike
The steering box moves the pitman arm, but the pitman arm is not transfering its motion to the rest of the steering system.
I have about 1/4" wheel turn before the tires start to turn....
Thanks
Mike
The exact symptoms of a worn-out rag joint.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
Originally Posted by celeryman22
There is a lot of play in the steering wheel before the actual wheels turn.
Any idea where I should start looking?
Any idea where I should start looking?
You would be smart to check the steering while the front wheels are raised off the ground. I would suspect the Pitman arm could be the problem. An easy way to check it is to simply have someone move the steering wheel while the front end is raised. Actually that is the best way to tell exactly what is going on with the entire ps system.
