Steering feels odd
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: New Zealand
Steering feels odd
Just driven my wifes 69, seems to be tight in the steering, wanders alot on the road, always need to correct it to keep it straight.
New bilsteins, new bushes, wheel alignment, and i have recently fitted a new rag joint as the old one was split.
Any clues, dont want to start stripping power steer unless i have to.
New bilsteins, new bushes, wheel alignment, and i have recently fitted a new rag joint as the old one was split.
Any clues, dont want to start stripping power steer unless i have to.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
Re: Steering feels odd (Geoff H)
Start by checking your tire pressures. Check the idler arm and tie rod pivots. Are the flexible coupling fasteners tight? I assume when you stated that you had an alignment, that it was both front and rear.
You can check the steering gear settings in the car. Go to: http://www.corvettefaq.com and go to Suspension and Steering. Look up Steering Gear Adjustment - (in vehicle).
If you end up having to rebuild your steering gear, there are excellent instructions at the Zip Products websight if you want to do it yourself.
You can check the steering gear settings in the car. Go to: http://www.corvettefaq.com and go to Suspension and Steering. Look up Steering Gear Adjustment - (in vehicle).
If you end up having to rebuild your steering gear, there are excellent instructions at the Zip Products websight if you want to do it yourself.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Re: Steering feels odd (Jim Shea)
Hey, Jim, glad to see you still around here, I changed ISP's....the rack/pinion conversion is going well, it seems the use of a grand am rack is/was the way to go, your idea, I think it was you saying it's the same as the Saab 900 rack...got me to change directions on it, and well, it's in place now, all welded up on the brackets and everything working nice, NOW when I put the engine in, well by measurement, it SHOULD fit, but we all know murphy really well now, don't we???
at any rate, it's looking good so far....I just extended the stock vette tie rod ends by cutting/welding the adjustment tube/collars to be about 6 inches on pass side and 4 inches on driver's side...longer....and had a machine shop make an adaptor block of steel for the grand am rack....so using stock '72 vette tie rod ends throughout...it's an all GM conversion now....I also pulled the steering wheel off the firewall by putting a 3/4 inch wood block under the flange, not that I really NEEDED to, but wanted to get that damn wheel nearer to me, that went with extending the floorboard forward about 3 inches at the bottom, and lowering the brake/gas pedals...what a mess this car is in now....parts everywhere.....goig to take till spring time to get it together, maybe not then even.....had to replace headers too, got a 'new' set for 40 bucks used, should fit fine, just a bit concerned about spark plugs fitting....Pain in the butt....
mrvette72@interstateweb.net
GENE
at any rate, it's looking good so far....I just extended the stock vette tie rod ends by cutting/welding the adjustment tube/collars to be about 6 inches on pass side and 4 inches on driver's side...longer....and had a machine shop make an adaptor block of steel for the grand am rack....so using stock '72 vette tie rod ends throughout...it's an all GM conversion now....I also pulled the steering wheel off the firewall by putting a 3/4 inch wood block under the flange, not that I really NEEDED to, but wanted to get that damn wheel nearer to me, that went with extending the floorboard forward about 3 inches at the bottom, and lowering the brake/gas pedals...what a mess this car is in now....parts everywhere.....goig to take till spring time to get it together, maybe not then even.....had to replace headers too, got a 'new' set for 40 bucks used, should fit fine, just a bit concerned about spark plugs fitting....Pain in the butt....
mrvette72@interstateweb.net
GENE
