check out some of Jim Shea's posts. He is the steering expert lots of help with him
Too much play in steering column...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Woodstock Ga
Too much play in steering column...
I have an 81' and there is a little too much play in the steering than I like. I think its just in the column because the steering feels tight. There is about an in. of play on both sides before the steering is actually effected. Is there any way to tighten this up without removing the column?? I just want tight handling! Thanks
Austin
Austin
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 397
Likes: 0
From: Warren IL
I think what you are feeling is not in the steering coulmn, but in steering box. You can adjust the steering box gear backlash to take care of that problem. I remember seeing some good posts on that in hear. Try running a search.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
I have an 81' and there is a little too much play in the steering than I like. I think its just in the column because the steering feels tight. There is about an in. of play on both sides before the steering is actually effected. Is there any way to tighten this up without removing the column?? I just want tight handling! Thanks
Austin
Austin
I would advise against adjusting it yourself unless you have the proper tools to do it right. If you over adjust even just a little bit you will compound the problem may damage the internals.
It would be best to first consult Jim or Gary, GTR1999, about your options.
The best idea, if your box is sloppy, would be to ship it off and have it rebuilt or ship it off as a core and buy a new rebuilt box from one of these builders.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Missouri City Texas
Make sure your rag joint is in good condition. If you see marks on the stop or any movement, then a new coupling might be in your future.
Last edited by texbeasr3; Oct 4, 2007 at 02:31 PM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
The only Chevrolet sanctioned methods of adjusting the Corvette manual gear are either to remove the gear from the car and use an inch-lb torque wrench or a procedure where the gear is left in the car but you remove the pitman arm from the gear and use a torque wrench on the steering wheel nut.
I know that I will suffer the rath of Gary (GTR1999) but the engineers at Saginaw were able to adjust the steering gears by feel within acceptable levels with the gear in the car. You have to be careful and follow the procedure exactly. But it will get you into the ballpark and can lead you to the exact cause of your looseness in the steering system.
Here is a link to the paper that I authored on the in-car method.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...-Rev25JA06.doc
Jim
I know that I will suffer the rath of Gary (GTR1999) but the engineers at Saginaw were able to adjust the steering gears by feel within acceptable levels with the gear in the car. You have to be careful and follow the procedure exactly. But it will get you into the ballpark and can lead you to the exact cause of your looseness in the steering system.
Here is a link to the paper that I authored on the in-car method.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...-Rev25JA06.doc
Jim
