C3 turning radius
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 384
Likes: 2
From: Tulsa OK
C3 turning radius
68 roadster with standard steering, correct aft hole used in steering knuckle.
Maneuvering in even slightly close quarters is ridiculous. I have to 3 point turn all the time, even with lock to lock wheel turn.
Thinking of upgrading to a stock style power steering to at least minimize effort, but it seems like the turning radius is too large.
My 63 is no problem, same frame and suspension.
P.O. did total frame/suspension rebuild. Could something be amiss?
fred
Maneuvering in even slightly close quarters is ridiculous. I have to 3 point turn all the time, even with lock to lock wheel turn.
Thinking of upgrading to a stock style power steering to at least minimize effort, but it seems like the turning radius is too large.
My 63 is no problem, same frame and suspension.
P.O. did total frame/suspension rebuild. Could something be amiss?
fred
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
Your 68 should turn as tight as your 63 seeing as how they share the same wheelbase and steering componets.
Wide wheels and tires might make a little difference but, not that much. I'm thinking you have a steering gearbox problem.
Wide wheels and tires might make a little difference but, not that much. I'm thinking you have a steering gearbox problem.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 384
Likes: 2
From: Tulsa OK
any way to further diagnose?
fw
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 384
Likes: 2
From: Tulsa OK
OK, I looked under the car while on jack stands, while turning the steering wheel.
First the wheel will turn almost 2 complete revolutions when turning left, but only 1 1/2 revolutions when turning right.
With lock to lock left turn everything looks correct, the tire is almost but not quite hitting frame.
However, lock to lock right turn, there is about 2 inches before tire approaches frame. Reason seems to be that Pittman arm strikes the bolt on the bracket holding the steering shock damper.
What is installed incorrectly?
Is it the Pittman arm?
Pics:
thoughts?
Fred
First the wheel will turn almost 2 complete revolutions when turning left, but only 1 1/2 revolutions when turning right.
With lock to lock left turn everything looks correct, the tire is almost but not quite hitting frame.
However, lock to lock right turn, there is about 2 inches before tire approaches frame. Reason seems to be that Pittman arm strikes the bolt on the bracket holding the steering shock damper.
What is installed incorrectly?
Is it the Pittman arm?
Pics:
thoughts?
Fred
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
Check out this link to see if it help you.
http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...lp.php?hID=182
Rick B.
http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...lp.php?hID=182
Rick B.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 384
Likes: 2
From: Tulsa OK
Check out this link to see if it help you.
http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...lp.php?hID=182
Rick B.
http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...lp.php?hID=182
Rick B.
I'm wondering if I have a power steering Pittman arm on my manual steering car. Without the curve downward it could possible hit the bolt on the steering damper bracket.
Of course, I'm planning to upgrade to power steering, so if this is true, it'll save me a step!
Fred
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 384
Likes: 2
From: Tulsa OK
well, now that I think about it, I doubt that having a power steering Pittman arm is the problem. On a power steering car the bracket for the steering cylinder bolts to the same place with the same bolts. So it would seem the power steering Pittman arm can't interfere with these bolts.
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Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
Do you have a pair of these holding the bracket on? Easy enough to check. If you loosen 2 nuts on the same side (outside or inside) they should both move if you wiggle one of them.
http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...ducts_id=16181
I'm wondering of someone used some bolts that are too long. Since you have different lock-to-lock turns it could also be that the pittman arm was installed without the steering box being centered. Look up Jim Shea's steering papers on corvettefaq.com and you might find more information on pittman arm installation. Jim Shea is by far the most knowlegeable person for steering assembly information.
Rick B.
http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...ducts_id=16181
I'm wondering of someone used some bolts that are too long. Since you have different lock-to-lock turns it could also be that the pittman arm was installed without the steering box being centered. Look up Jim Shea's steering papers on corvettefaq.com and you might find more information on pittman arm installation. Jim Shea is by far the most knowlegeable person for steering assembly information.
Rick B.
Last edited by 72LS1Vette; Jul 12, 2010 at 09:31 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 384
Likes: 2
From: Tulsa OK
Do you have a pair of these holding the bracket on? Easy enough to check. If you loosen 2 nuts on the same side (outside or inside) they should both move if you wiggle one of them.
http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...ducts_id=16181
I'm wondering of someone used some bolts that are too long. Since you have different lock-to-lock turns it could also be that the pittman arm was installed without the steering box being centered. Look up Jim Shea's steering papers on corvettefaq.com and you might find more information on pittman arm installation. Jim Shea is by far the most knowlegeable person for steering assembly information.
Rick B.
http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...ducts_id=16181
I'm wondering of someone used some bolts that are too long. Since you have different lock-to-lock turns it could also be that the pittman arm was installed without the steering box being centered. Look up Jim Shea's steering papers on corvettefaq.com and you might find more information on pittman arm installation. Jim Shea is by far the most knowlegeable person for steering assembly information.
Rick B.
I also thought about a shorter bolt, but as you can see it there is very little clearance for any bolt in that location.
Something is boogered up, just not sure what. I haven't worked on steering linkage before.
thanks for the input!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 384
Likes: 2
From: Tulsa OK
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,117
Likes: 104
From: charlotte north carolina
i had a similar problem after a front end alignment. turned out that the putz that did it had the toe-adjusting tubes turned all the way to one side, rather than centered. i just counted the turns and set both near the center. problem solved.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
OFF by one whole turn of the wheel??
Drifting
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 1,432
Likes: 22
From: Oxford CT
I would have the alignment checked again. My car use to rub the tire when makin a right hand turn. After rebuilding the front end and having it realigned by a competent shop, the problem disappeared!
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
with the steering wheel pointed straight ahead, that pitman arm off bottom of the box, has to point straight aft.....
NOT concerned with the wheels, just those two points...wheel straight, pretty close to equal turns R-L and that arm straight aft....
then we look at the wheels....better be aligned correctly....IF they are really screwed up, at that point they CAN limit your steering....so if any question, pop the cross link/valve off the pitman arm end....square up the steering wheel with that arm pointing direct aft....better be same turns r-l....
case closed.....
NOT concerned with the wheels, just those two points...wheel straight, pretty close to equal turns R-L and that arm straight aft....
then we look at the wheels....better be aligned correctly....IF they are really screwed up, at that point they CAN limit your steering....so if any question, pop the cross link/valve off the pitman arm end....square up the steering wheel with that arm pointing direct aft....better be same turns r-l....
case closed.....
