Steering Question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: Bryant Ar
Steering Question
I have alot of play in my 1981's steering with only 43K miles. All of the bushings look good and I changed the idler arm which didn't need to be changed. Radial TA's with 10K miles. The car has all original equipment. So I have the following questions?
1. When I turn the steering wheel with the car not running I have approximatey 1.5 hours of play. In other words I can move the bottom spoke between the 5 o'clock position and the 7 o'clock position with minimal resistance and not turning the tires. In turn the arm from the gear box to the selector valve moves approximately 3/8". Is that normal???
2. I have bought a rebuild kit for the valve, can that correct a loose steering or does the kit only correct leaks???
3. I also bought a kit for the actuator, the same as the valve can this correct a loose steering or does it only correct leaks???
I plan to rebuild the valve and actuator and take then take the VETJET to an alignment shop what do you guys think???
Thanks.
[Modified by VETJET, 8:35 PM 3/14/2002]
1. When I turn the steering wheel with the car not running I have approximatey 1.5 hours of play. In other words I can move the bottom spoke between the 5 o'clock position and the 7 o'clock position with minimal resistance and not turning the tires. In turn the arm from the gear box to the selector valve moves approximately 3/8". Is that normal???
2. I have bought a rebuild kit for the valve, can that correct a loose steering or does the kit only correct leaks???
3. I also bought a kit for the actuator, the same as the valve can this correct a loose steering or does it only correct leaks???
I plan to rebuild the valve and actuator and take then take the VETJET to an alignment shop what do you guys think???
Thanks.
[Modified by VETJET, 8:35 PM 3/14/2002]
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Re: Steering Question (VETJET)
without actually being UNDER the car while up on the alignment rack, it's nearly impossible to diagnose your problems...
from what you say, first thing is make damn sure your tele part of the tilt-tele wheel is fully tight with the clamp ring...it should feel really snug with lever at full right side of wheel...
second is to feel with your fingers, or maybe look to see if any play in the various linkages...the system is definately not normal...suspect higher mileage than indicated....
there is the idler arm, drag link, tie rods even the steering box itself...
make sure the large screw and bolt in center of the top is tight...that is the 'slop' adjustment in the box....careful tightening it though if it's loose...
other than that, it needs good eyes to be sure...
do yourself a favor, do NOT drive the car much if at all with this condition...
GENE
from what you say, first thing is make damn sure your tele part of the tilt-tele wheel is fully tight with the clamp ring...it should feel really snug with lever at full right side of wheel...
second is to feel with your fingers, or maybe look to see if any play in the various linkages...the system is definately not normal...suspect higher mileage than indicated....
there is the idler arm, drag link, tie rods even the steering box itself...
make sure the large screw and bolt in center of the top is tight...that is the 'slop' adjustment in the box....careful tightening it though if it's loose...
other than that, it needs good eyes to be sure...
do yourself a favor, do NOT drive the car much if at all with this condition...
GENE
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
Re: Steering Question (mrvette)
Correct tire pressures?
Inspect the flexible coupling that connects the steering column to the gear. There are two stop pins that extend rearward toward the column. The pins should fit into slots on the steering column flange. They should not be worn. The rubber coupling disc should be in good shape.
Have someone rock the steering wheel back and forth with the engine off. Is there any in and out motion of the steering gear input shaft? If there is any detectible in/out motion, (not rotational) the worm bearing adjuster needs to be tightened.
After you are confident that the worm bearing adjustment is OK, then you can try adjusting the pitman shaft preload by adjusting the nut on the side cover of the gear.
I have a paper published at http://www.corvettefaq.com. Look under Suspension and Steering. Look for Steering Gear Adjustment (in vehicle) and Steering Gear Adjust Pics #1 & #2.
Hope that this helps.
[Modified by Jim Shea, 7:28 AM 3/15/2002]
Inspect the flexible coupling that connects the steering column to the gear. There are two stop pins that extend rearward toward the column. The pins should fit into slots on the steering column flange. They should not be worn. The rubber coupling disc should be in good shape.
Have someone rock the steering wheel back and forth with the engine off. Is there any in and out motion of the steering gear input shaft? If there is any detectible in/out motion, (not rotational) the worm bearing adjuster needs to be tightened.
After you are confident that the worm bearing adjustment is OK, then you can try adjusting the pitman shaft preload by adjusting the nut on the side cover of the gear.
I have a paper published at http://www.corvettefaq.com. Look under Suspension and Steering. Look for Steering Gear Adjustment (in vehicle) and Steering Gear Adjust Pics #1 & #2.
Hope that this helps.
[Modified by Jim Shea, 7:28 AM 3/15/2002]
