can anyone suggest a way to improve the 3-4 inches of slop in my steering on my 72 with power steering?
the last time i logged in was 8-15-2005... I'm a bit out of touch...

 

Are you handy? If so :
Start by looking at the rag joint,
Have someone turn the steering wheel and see if the pitman arm goes up & down before it moves left & right. Good time to check the grease in the steering box.
Check the tie rod ends the center link and A arm bushings and the ball joints.
Check wheel bearings
Or have a alignment shop look at everything.

 

you are in for a treat. I would recommend going thrugh Jim Shea's papers on the steering system. http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?page_id=4

first start checking the rag joint for play. then watch the steering box and see how much movement it takes before it starts to transfer motion. then check each additional component. last check suspension and alignment.

if a steeroids conversion is your interest I would like to inform you that your suspension needs to be checked for play and your aliment settings checked as well because that will keep your steering screw up.

lastly check for cradle sag if your front end is bending under stress nothing will help

happy hunting

 

I almost forgot there is a way to adjust the gear box to tighten it up and reduce play it is some where in Jim's paper. I wish i had known about it before i did a steering conversion.

 

Thank you!!!

 

That adjustment won't get rid of 3-4 inches of 'play'. You are probably looking at multiple problems: bad ragjoint, misadjusted steering box, bad steering arm knuckles, possibly bad ball joints, and don't forget the idler arm.

 

frC3, I have a suggestion on how to fix it. I went trough the same nut roll a few years ago and still had slop in my steering of my 75. Finially fixed it last Spring by installing Steeroids rack & pinon. I know its hard to break with that 30 something year engineering, that much money, and trying to keep our cars original. But what difference it made it steers like my 03 now. My buddies in C3VR told me about it years ago and I wish I would have done it then. Just my 2 cents.

sgm

 

It took all the slop out?

 

Yes not a bit of slop steers true and no darting around trying to correct a drift. Check it out with the VBP site here. Your old system is completely removed including your steering box you use your stock pump. I installed mine myself instructions said 5 hrs. Took me about 20 majority of that was removing old system and I did take my time. Up to you oh they are on sale this month too with VBP. Oh nice car thanks

sgm

 

is there a non steeroids rack and pinion that will go in with similar results? curious if they are the only game in town

 

I just bought one on sale from Vette Brake & Products...

 

 

Good suggestions above! Even with everything perfect, you will never achieve really tight steering and response if your steering box is >20 years ago and or has many miles on it. I have replaced everything in my front end, and I mean everything, and run 255/45/17 rims and ZR ultra high performance summer only tires, and I still have a little play in the wheel. So why is that? It's the recirculating ball steering box which are notorious for having too much play due to their inherent design and more importantly, terrible build quality when new! I am removing my box this weekend and sending it GTR1999 (no longer on this forum) in New Haven CT. He will blue print your original box after a complete rebuild with any new parts required and hand adjusts the box which was never done from the factory. Speaking with gary and others who have sampled his work, almost all play will be eliminated from the box. It will be better than it came from GM-they just slapped them together at the factory with no adjustment. There are others that do this work also but going the blue printed rebuilt route with your original box offers many advantages:

1. You keep the OEM system and box

2. Better than when new

3. You will achieve 90% of the steering of a rack and pinion system at a fraction of the cost.($250-$450 depending on what your box needs)

Don't buy a rebuilt or even a new box if you want the best from the current system.

Hope that helps!

 

Gary (GTR1999) rebuilt my steering box and the steering is tighter and smoother than ever. I can't believe the difference. I had previously replaced or rebuilt every other piece in the steering/suspension and left the steering box to last so I could drive the car. It was the missing link, I'm only sorry I waited so long.

 

Just looked at their website. I can't find anything about "steeroids"- only "rack attack". Is there a part # and how much is it on sale for?

Thanks,

Dave K

 

So how do you get in touch with GTR1999? I am also considering doing mine. Thanks

 

Took my box out today and driving to New Haven Ct tomorrow, Sunday, to have GTR1999 rebuild it while I wait-That is service!!! I will talk with him about contacting him-He no longer is on this forum. He can be found on digitalcorvettes.com.

 

Let us know how it turns out. I am sure it will be major improvement. Thanks for the info.

 

Did you check out the Borgeson steering boxes. They are not rack and pinion.

 

What do people think of Borgeson boxes? I was thinking to go this way until now. If anyone has experience with the Borgeson unit please give feedback.