Power steering problem
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 611
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Power steering problem
My '77 is not drivable. When driving straight down the road the front tires squeal. When you turn the wheel slightly it seems to surge in the direction that you turn and the wheels squeal more. I have not changed anything in the front suspension. The only thing that I have done is the engine upgrades. I can't even drive the car. I don't get what would have happened to cause this. Also noticed that the steering does not return to center on its own. If I let go of the wheel the car turns to the left. I correct it to center and then it veers right. I replaced all steering components last year and I have not had any problems until now. All of this started to happen after I finished some engine upgrades. I replaced the heads and cam. What could have happened?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 611
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
The only thing that I did was disconnect the idler arm from the center link to remove the oil pan. No I did not jack on the drag link.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
That came out a little harsh...sorry...I meant accidentally.
From your description it sounds like your front wheels are towed out.If you didnt alter any adjustments then I would be looking for something that would shorten the distance between the 2 outer tie rod ends.
From your description it sounds like your front wheels are towed out.If you didnt alter any adjustments then I would be looking for something that would shorten the distance between the 2 outer tie rod ends.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 611
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
You might be onto something with the idler arm. I talked with my friend and he said that he heard a pop when he torqued the nut down for the center link to idler arm, but didn't think anything of it. If something broke on the idler arm, would it cause these symptoms? There is nothing noticeably broken when looking at the idler arm. But could something have broke internal?
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
No offence was taken.
You might be onto something with the idler arm. I talked with my friend and he said that he heard a pop when he torqued the nut down for the center link to idler arm, but didn't think anything of it. If something broke on the idler arm, would it cause these symptoms? There is nothing noticeably broken when looking at the idler arm. But could something have broke internal?
You might be onto something with the idler arm. I talked with my friend and he said that he heard a pop when he torqued the nut down for the center link to idler arm, but didn't think anything of it. If something broke on the idler arm, would it cause these symptoms? There is nothing noticeably broken when looking at the idler arm. But could something have broke internal?
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Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
One thing you could try instead of disabling the ps would be to raise the front wheels off the ground and start the engine and operate the steering.If the steering operates smooth up in the air then its probably in the linkage and not the ps.If its darty when up its probably going to be in the control valve.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 611
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From: Minnesota
I found that the locking nuts for the tie rods were loose on the left side. That side was way out of adjustment. I got it close and now it is driving fine. I will have to have the front end aligned again.
Thanks for the help
Thanks for the help