Tight steering

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May 20, 2008 | 07:20 PM

Fscott

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From: Liverpool NY

Tight steering

Over the winter I installed all new poly bushings to the front end along with wheel bearings, etc.
I noticed that the drivers side spindle was a lot tighter than the passenger side at the time of installation. I figured this would loosen up but it hasnt...the steering is very tight and uncomfortable.
Should I go back in and take a notch off the castle nuts on the drivers side spindle?

May 20, 2008 | 08:01 PM

GTR1999

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From: Connecticut, USA

The nut will take up the bearing endplay, if too tight it will bind or burn the bearings, too loose and you'll have sloppy steering. I would check the bearings to be sure they're ok and readjust them. Can you explain in more detail what is tight? the wheel or the steering?

May 21, 2008 | 07:48 AM

Fscott

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From: Liverpool NY

By tight I mean at the steering wheel. When I point the car the wheel doesnt what to come back to center..it's just stay pointed.

May 21, 2008 | 09:14 AM

GTR1999

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From: Connecticut, USA

That's not a wheel brg issue, check aligment and CV balancing,also box lash may be too tight if if was adjusted recently.

May 21, 2008 | 10:54 AM

Fscott

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From: Liverpool NY

I will check the box and see how the lash is set...there were no steering problems last year, only since I put the poly bushings and ball joints in. It seemed that the drivers side spindle assembly was a lot tighter on the ball joints than the right side when I put it together.

May 21, 2008 | 02:20 PM

Jim Shea

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From: Saginaw Michigan

A tight or sticking ball joint can definately cause returnability problems (i.e. the steering doesn't want to return to center.)

Jim

May 21, 2008 | 06:22 PM

Fscott

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From: Liverpool NY

Thats what I was thinking. I'm going to take a notch off the crown bolts and see what happens. I didnt think it was possible to over tighten these.

May 21, 2008 | 06:28 PM

mrvette

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From: Orange Park Florida

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fscott

Thats what I was thinking. I'm going to take a notch off the crown bolts and see what happens. I didnt think it was possible to over tighten these.

LOTS of threads on the wires lately about defective ball joints, and you maybe want to check that out super carefully.....

about 2 years ago, I had a warrenty replacement problem with AZ over the lower joints on my '72, they gave me new joints ok, but they did n't even fit the lower arm....serious....made rong....took them back for a full refund, and then went to NAPA and bought much finer looking actually nice looking ball joints.....the differance in fit/finish was nite and day.....

wonder if you have yet another symptom of the lower ball joint failure syndrome that's been hitting C3 guys left and right over the last couple years.....

nothing like getting your lower ball joints made by the lo ball company in one hung lo province in China.....