Steering noise....
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,713
Likes: 31
From: Shreveport LA
LA Events Coordinator
Steering noise....
I started hearing funny noises whenever I'd turn the steering wheel. Also had A LOT of play in the wheel. I could turn the wheel almost 1/4 turn before the car would react. Figured my steering box was going bad, so I bought a new one. Didn't even look under the hood...just figured it was the box. I had just replaced all the bushings in the front end, so I knew that was OK. While I was waiting for new steering box to come it from ZIP, I noticed the rag joint was totally shot and torn up. 
So I ordered another rag joint. I figured since the steering box is over 37 years old, I thought I'd go ahead and replace it with the unit that was coming in and install a new rag joint. SO...if you hear noise coming from your steering wheel & there's a lot of play, first check the rag joint before going to the steering box.
This is just FYI:
So I ordered another rag joint. I figured since the steering box is over 37 years old, I thought I'd go ahead and replace it with the unit that was coming in and install a new rag joint. SO...if you hear noise coming from your steering wheel & there's a lot of play, first check the rag joint before going to the steering box. This is just FYI:
Last edited by vetteguy75; Oct 3, 2012 at 08:14 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,713
Likes: 31
From: Shreveport LA
LA Events Coordinator
Well, I replaced both the steering box (rebuilt from ZIP Corvette Parts) and rag joint. Now the steering is TIGHT and responsive. BUT, she has a tendenacy to wander on the road.
Do I need to have the wheels re-aligned? When I replaced the box, all that was touched, as far as the front end. was the pitman arm and that didn't move. So I don't think the alignment was affected. Am I correct in thinking that when I had the car aligned (about 9 months ago) with the old steering set up, that I need to have it redone now because "the dynamics of the wheels" has changed?
Do I need to have the wheels re-aligned? When I replaced the box, all that was touched, as far as the front end. was the pitman arm and that didn't move. So I don't think the alignment was affected. Am I correct in thinking that when I had the car aligned (about 9 months ago) with the old steering set up, that I need to have it redone now because "the dynamics of the wheels" has changed?
2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
if your your car is stock it will wander at high speeds. also since you just put a new power steering unit in i would put a few squirts of grease from a grease gun in the gear box in the engine compartment. because the seals on the power steering unit are so close to the exaust manifold they tend to leak. the grease will thicken the oil and your seal will never leak. dont put it in where the fluid goes it goes dirrectly in the gear box
