Play in the steering box?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Oxnard/San Luis Obispo CA
Play in the steering box?
I have been experiencing a little bit of play in my steering box (maybe about 2-3 degrees at the steering wheel) and it seems to be causing some weird steering anomalies. ie. when I get to a rough road there will be small momentary pulls to one side or the other. Its not so much that I lose control of the car, but enough to be annoying.
I have redone the rest of the steering system and this is the only thing left that I think it could be.
Is this kind of thing normal for C3 steering?
Also, keep in mind that I have 255 wide tires in the front.
I have redone the rest of the steering system and this is the only thing left that I think it could be.
Is this kind of thing normal for C3 steering?
Also, keep in mind that I have 255 wide tires in the front.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Oxnard/San Luis Obispo CA
However, I'm guessing from the reply that this isn't exactly normal. This just kinda sucks because the box was supposed to be rebuilt already.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,387
Likes: 2
From: Meriden CT
Who rebuilt the box? Alot of vendors that sell "rebuilt" boxes sell crap. They re-use bad gears and dont set them up properly.
I had Gary rebuild mine. Excellent workmanship at a great price. I couldnt be happier. It got rid of all the play in my steering.
I had Gary rebuild mine. Excellent workmanship at a great price. I couldnt be happier. It got rid of all the play in my steering.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
The rag joint is pretty solid. I replaced it not too long ago. The play is definitely in the steering box. I double checked the whole steering system.
However, I'm guessing from the reply that this isn't exactly normal. This just kinda sucks because the box was supposed to be rebuilt already.
However, I'm guessing from the reply that this isn't exactly normal. This just kinda sucks because the box was supposed to be rebuilt already.
Sounds like it might well be a bad rebuild. 
Pro
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 617
Likes: 8
From: Morgan City LA
hi fellas, i've got a noob question so please excuse the noobness!:o
i have the same play in my steering wheel and luckily i went to a vette show this weekend and met a super nice guy who checked out my car and showed me it's the p/s control valve, it's got major play in it!
is that the same as the rag joint? thanks!
i have the same play in my steering wheel and luckily i went to a vette show this weekend and met a super nice guy who checked out my car and showed me it's the p/s control valve, it's got major play in it!
is that the same as the rag joint? thanks!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 28
From: Lutz Florida
hi fellas, i've got a noob question so please excuse the noobness!:o
i have the same play in my steering wheel and luckily i went to a vette show this weekend and met a super nice guy who checked out my car and showed me it's the p/s control valve, it's got major play in it!
is that the same as the rag joint? thanks!
i have the same play in my steering wheel and luckily i went to a vette show this weekend and met a super nice guy who checked out my car and showed me it's the p/s control valve, it's got major play in it!
is that the same as the rag joint? thanks!
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 3
The steering box should not have any play on center.
GM still sells new boxes - it is just strange that they list them for 1972 only.... Or at least they did within the past two years when I replaced mine. I was amazed that Flaming River was reproducing a box still available from GM...
GM still sells new boxes - it is just strange that they list them for 1972 only.... Or at least they did within the past two years when I replaced mine. I was amazed that Flaming River was reproducing a box still available from GM...
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 3
From: CA
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Oxnard/San Luis Obispo CA
Thanks a lot for the replies guys. I guess it sounds like I get the wondrous job of taking that thing out again.
Do you know who sells these? Do you get them from the dealer? How much do they usually run?
The steering box should not have any play on center.
GM still sells new boxes - it is just strange that they list them for 1972 only.... Or at least they did within the past two years when I replaced mine. I was amazed that Flaming River was reproducing a box still available from GM...
GM still sells new boxes - it is just strange that they list them for 1972 only.... Or at least they did within the past two years when I replaced mine. I was amazed that Flaming River was reproducing a box still available from GM...
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 276
Likes: 1
From: Pistoia PT (ITALY)
Why you don't try to register your steering box?
There is two things to do:
1) check the endplay in the box and to adjust it with the big nut where the steering column connect to the box...
2) Check the gear play with the screw in the top of the box cover...
My english is ot enough good to try to explane how to do it...... but if you are mid-skilled man you can do it with no problems.
Remember that any play must be checked with the box in it's mid position...... don't check the wheels position, but the exact center of the Steering-wheel rotation.
There is two things to do:
1) check the endplay in the box and to adjust it with the big nut where the steering column connect to the box...
2) Check the gear play with the screw in the top of the box cover...
My english is ot enough good to try to explane how to do it...... but if you are mid-skilled man you can do it with no problems.
Remember that any play must be checked with the box in it's mid position...... don't check the wheels position, but the exact center of the Steering-wheel rotation.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,173
Likes: 3,982
From: Connecticut, USA
The wide tires will add to the wander on the road if the box is a stock setup. Stock boxes have several areas that are assembly line built, meaning the tolerences are wide and the play common. The gears may be worn and if improperly setup will wear fast.
A custom built box will have all the tolerences blueprinted for maximum operation.
Be careful when adjusting the lash on the car.
A custom built box will have all the tolerences blueprinted for maximum operation.
Be careful when adjusting the lash on the car.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Richmond Virginia
jhuff,
Pull the box off and send it GTR1999. The quality of his work is superb, and he finished my box ahead of the promised delivery date. Good luck whatever you decide.
Pull the box off and send it GTR1999. The quality of his work is superb, and he finished my box ahead of the promised delivery date. Good luck whatever you decide.
Last edited by jah1226; Nov 15, 2007 at 10:52 AM. Reason: grammer