ghost steering
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 442
Likes: 6
From: jacksonville Florida
ghost steering
The vette started doing something wierd the other day and is pretty consistent with this action. Whenever I turn the car left, as I straighten out the wheel, the steering wheel position changes for straight ahead, my steering wheel as always been just a tiny bit to the left for straight ahead, it didnt bother me enough to adjust it cause it always tracked straight since I aligned a few months ago after putting in the new suspension. Well now after turning left and straightening out the steering wheel is about 10 desgrees to the right for straight ahead and stays that way until I hit the brakes (the brakes pull a little to the right) then the steering instantly adjusts back to the way its been and the steering wheel is now slightly left for straigh ahead. Its a little wearisome cause when the steering adjusts while driving straight the car jerks just a little bit. Now when I turn right the steering stay just as it always has, its only when I turn left, and any sort of bump or hitting the brakes sets it back properly. Whats up with my 82 vette?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,112
From: Crossville TN
The power steering portion of the system cannot cause that sympton. However, if your ragjoint (flex coupling at the input side of the steering box) is beginning to disintegrate, wheel centering may not remain consistent. This is a dangerous situation as it could completely fair at any time and you could lose all steering capability. 
If you find the flex coupling to be OK, there is something seriously amiss in the steering links somewhere.
If you find the flex coupling to be OK, there is something seriously amiss in the steering links somewhere.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 442
Likes: 6
From: jacksonville Florida
Ill try to check it tomorrow, unfortunately im up at school so i cant lift the car or anything to get under it. Its weird how its always the two exact same steering wheel positions.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 442
Likes: 6
From: jacksonville Florida
I checked the ragjoint and it looks prety solid, nothing seems loose, I couldnt really get under the car, but I couldnt really shake anything although i know there is probably a lot of resistance since the car is on the ground..anyother ideas?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,112
From: Crossville TN
You can evaluate the steering mechanisms and performance better by putting the front end up on jackstands. Then you can test the steering operation...both with engine-running and engine-OFF...for freedom of movement AND to see that the steering links are firm in their action and not binding or "flopping around". You can also determine whether you have any bends/damage on the assist cylinder rod that might cause binding and/or "odd" behavior.
Instructor
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 172
Likes: 3
From: Hesperia California
Steering
It sounds like you have a problem in the steering box,years ago the exact same thing you described, is what I found on a 1970 dodge challenger, when i bought it the steering was very tight no play, someone had over tighten it severely, I loosened it up and of course it was to loose and I had to replace the box. Hope that's not your case but anyway I would not drive it until I found the problem, good luck.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 442
Likes: 6
From: jacksonville Florida
well unfortunately i'm at school with no tools or jack, everything is 4 hours south at the station in tequesta, and next week is my spring break. I think im gonna brave it sunday drive it home, then put it on the lift monday to do basically exactly what 7t1vetteis sugesting, wish me luck on the drive home
Last edited by pleasants9; Mar 3, 2011 at 04:06 PM. Reason: cause
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Pro
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 542
Likes: 3
From: Bloomfield Hills MI
It sounds like you have a problem in the steering box,years ago the exact same thing you described, is what I found on a 1970 dodge challenger, when i bought it the steering was very tight no play, someone had over tighten it severely, I loosened it up and of course it was to loose and I had to replace the box. Hope that's not your case but anyway I would not drive it until I found the problem, good luck.
Sounds like your steering box has been overadjusted. Check the adjustment screw on top of the box and see if you can count at least 3 threads showing - if not, it's toast, if so, another problem somewhere else. Pray to the Jim Shea god and see if he pops up....
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 442
Likes: 6
From: jacksonville Florida
k, well i made it safely to Stuart from gainesville, tomorrow gonna check all the shims in the A arms, check the adjustment? screw on the gear box, Then checking all bolts and fasteners, then lifting the front end and checking for play in the steering.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 442
Likes: 6
From: jacksonville Florida
alrighty, well I got the car on the lift
1)all shims are in place and control arms snug
2) gear box screw has three threads showing
3) bolt missing from where passenger lower control arm connects to wheel
- put in a bolt where it was missing and tightened the other three which were all slightly loose.
4) check ball joints- no play on an individual tire
5) there was play though in the steering overall, it looks like where the pitman arm connects to the hydraulic valve for the steering has a fair amount of play, guess it needs replacing. As well as power steering hoses seemed to be leaking so I will replace those as well
1)all shims are in place and control arms snug
2) gear box screw has three threads showing
3) bolt missing from where passenger lower control arm connects to wheel
- put in a bolt where it was missing and tightened the other three which were all slightly loose.
4) check ball joints- no play on an individual tire
5) there was play though in the steering overall, it looks like where the pitman arm connects to the hydraulic valve for the steering has a fair amount of play, guess it needs replacing. As well as power steering hoses seemed to be leaking so I will replace those as well
