Steering issues with my 81
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Port Dover Ontario
Steering issues with my 81
I have an 81 Vtte. Great car overall. However, I have some play in my steering wheel. with wheels straight and wheel straight i can turn the wheel about an inch each way before I feel the wheels move. I know there could be a possibilty of issues. One being the box or the rag. It is this common or normal. Could someone advise me what the rag is and where do I find it.
thanks
thanks
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,911
Likes: 2
From: gold coast queensland
in my 81 i have a steering box. i also have about 1 inch before it bites. if the car is moving there isnt any slack but when its still i think there is alot of resistence between the tyres and ground. i could be wrong but i think 1 inch is ok but any more and its time to loook into it.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,711
Likes: 2
From: Rochester NY
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 259
Likes: 8
From: Shortsville NY
I had the same issue in my '81. There is an adjustment on top of the steering box that you can tighten\loosen to remove\add play. I did this about a month ago, and now there is no play in the steering. Just don't over tighten it or you will bind the gears in the box.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 1
From: Elkhorn WI
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 28
From: Lutz Florida
go to http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?page_id=4. Pretty much all the information you will need aboout the rag joint, steering box, control valve etc. Do some reading before you start adjusting or replacing anything. Best of luck 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
The rag joint is not a mystery part, you can easily tell if it is ok or not. First, take a look, its on the steering shaft just above the steering box, if it looks ragged its bad. Next reach in the car with your head under the hood and watch the joint while you move the steering wheel back and forth a bit (engine off). If its bad you will see more movement in the upper shaft than the lower one.
Do not use the screw on top of the steering box to "adjust the play" doing so will cause a Lot of wear in the miggle of the worm gear (sector). The right thing to do it get the unit rebuilt or have it done. There are a couple guys in there that do excellent work: Mike aka tracdogg2 and Gary aka Gtr1999
Do not use the screw on top of the steering box to "adjust the play" doing so will cause a Lot of wear in the miggle of the worm gear (sector). The right thing to do it get the unit rebuilt or have it done. There are a couple guys in there that do excellent work: Mike aka tracdogg2 and Gary aka Gtr1999
