Reduce steering wheel play
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
Greg,
I hate to say it but the time to evaluate the steering column looseness was when it was out of the car these last couple years. I don't remember you mentioning it, but do you have a standard (non-adjustable) steering column or a T&T? On a T&T column there is a plastic tilt sphere that might be contributing a small amount of lash to the steering shaft.
It is hard responding to a 1 1/2 year old thread. I now see that you have a 1981 Vette so you must have a T&T column. If you go to the following paper there is a procedure to evaluate the tilt sphere for looseness.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...v03JL20121.pdf
That isn't to say that it absolutely is the plastic tilt joint but it is a possibility. With the column out of the car you should carefully inspect the upper and lower bearings. Loose or corroded bearings can result in side to side play in the steering column and therefore some apparent looseness.
Jim
Jim
I hate to say it but the time to evaluate the steering column looseness was when it was out of the car these last couple years. I don't remember you mentioning it, but do you have a standard (non-adjustable) steering column or a T&T? On a T&T column there is a plastic tilt sphere that might be contributing a small amount of lash to the steering shaft.
It is hard responding to a 1 1/2 year old thread. I now see that you have a 1981 Vette so you must have a T&T column. If you go to the following paper there is a procedure to evaluate the tilt sphere for looseness.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...v03JL20121.pdf
That isn't to say that it absolutely is the plastic tilt joint but it is a possibility. With the column out of the car you should carefully inspect the upper and lower bearings. Loose or corroded bearings can result in side to side play in the steering column and therefore some apparent looseness.
Jim
Jim
Last edited by Jim Shea; Feb 25, 2015 at 07:46 AM.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
Greg,
I hate to say it but the time to evaluate the steering column looseness was when it was out of the car these last couple years. I don't remember you mentioning it, but do you have a standard (non-adjustable) steering column or a T&T? On a T&T column there is a plastic tilt sphere that might be contributing a small amount of lash to the steering shaft.
It is hard responding to a 1 1/2 year old thread. I now see that you have a 1981 Vette so you must have a T&T column. If you go to the following paper there is a procedure to evaluate the tilt sphere for looseness.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...v03JL20121.pdf
That isn't to say that it absolutely is the plastic tilt joint but it is a possibility. With the column out of the car you should carefully inspect the upper and lower bearings. Loose or corroded bearings can result in side to side play in the steering column and therefore some apparent looseness.
Jim
Jim
I hate to say it but the time to evaluate the steering column looseness was when it was out of the car these last couple years. I don't remember you mentioning it, but do you have a standard (non-adjustable) steering column or a T&T? On a T&T column there is a plastic tilt sphere that might be contributing a small amount of lash to the steering shaft.
It is hard responding to a 1 1/2 year old thread. I now see that you have a 1981 Vette so you must have a T&T column. If you go to the following paper there is a procedure to evaluate the tilt sphere for looseness.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...v03JL20121.pdf
That isn't to say that it absolutely is the plastic tilt joint but it is a possibility. With the column out of the car you should carefully inspect the upper and lower bearings. Loose or corroded bearings can result in side to side play in the steering column and therefore some apparent looseness.
Jim
Jim
Thanks
Tommy K 47
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,404
Likes: 791
From: Redondo Beach, California
Don't have anything too substantial to add to this thread, but....
Everything on my 68 was replaced with new (ram, control valve, tie rods, PS pump,etc) except for the steering box itself. The 68 is a low mileage car ~46,000 miles total. Guildstrand Motorsports adjusted the steering box...I think the screw and nut adjuster at the top of the steering box cover. The steering now has no slop. They reported that the prior owner, or someone had packed the steering box with thick grease. They replaced the grease with the proper lubricant.
When I removed my 70 T&T column, I looked at the lower shaft bearing...it was absolutely terrible looking...dry grease and rust. Replaced the bearing. It was easy to do.
Everything on my 68 was replaced with new (ram, control valve, tie rods, PS pump,etc) except for the steering box itself. The 68 is a low mileage car ~46,000 miles total. Guildstrand Motorsports adjusted the steering box...I think the screw and nut adjuster at the top of the steering box cover. The steering now has no slop. They reported that the prior owner, or someone had packed the steering box with thick grease. They replaced the grease with the proper lubricant.
When I removed my 70 T&T column, I looked at the lower shaft bearing...it was absolutely terrible looking...dry grease and rust. Replaced the bearing. It was easy to do.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,451
Likes: 974
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
If you want to retain the OEM steering system...no question Gary R.
The Borgeson system advantage, in my opinion (I don't have one though), is mostly through the elimination of the PS cylinder and PS control valve (areas that can introduce slop and/or leak-my OEM ones don't BTW) and more importantly, a much quicker steering ratio of 12:1 versus the OEM 16:1. BUT there are other issues occasionally using the Borgeson box with the steering coupler, box flexing on the frame, clearance in some applications...there is no free ride....
Last edited by jb78L-82; Jul 14, 2015 at 10:55 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 218
Likes: 5
From: OR
the Gearbox was "rebuilt" by Lonestar Caliper.
I know, I bought one too (because I was in a pinch). When I had time I pulled it apart and was appalled by the shoddy workmanship and re-used parts.
I now have a Borgeson set up and it is superior to even the best stock set up.
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Verdad Gallardo
Pro
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 613
Likes: 11
From: EVANSVILLE Wisconsin
Hi Greg, I know what you must have been going through cause I have the same problem with my 78. All new parts and still slop. Actually the Control Valve was "rebuilt" by or thru Willcox and the Gearbox was "rebuilt" by Lonestar Caliper. Everything else new. Still Slop! Did you ever find out if it was in the steering column?
Thanks
Tommy K 47
Thanks
Tommy K 47
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
Hahaha....... Yah that's what I was afraid of. It sounds like Borgeson is the way to go? Dam, I just spent all that money not to mention the time and alignment cost. Oh well live and learn.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
Hi Tommy, I have not taken the column out since posting this, and frankly after installing the Borgeson unit I am VERY happy with the feel and road manners. I have no drift and the steering is very responsive, crisp, etc. I will most likely end up taking the column out this winter to figure out what is causing the slack, but it's more curiosity than necessity as it performs fine as is.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 956
Likes: 86
From: McDonough Georgia
I have done the same thing in the past.....spending hundreds of dollars on shoddy parts for a cobbled together sstock system. It's as if ***** wonka or rube goldberg put together the stock power steering.
It wanders. Badly. It takes like five turns from stop to stop. That's normal!
First thing i do now is get a Borgeson box. Single best improvement you can do to a C3. Steering ratio goes from 16 to 12:1. Tight and responsive.
And you get to discard all that junk hanging under the car.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
I feel your pain.
I have done the same thing in the past.....spending hundreds of dollars on shoddy parts for a cobbled together sstock system. It's as if ***** wonka or rube goldberg put together the stock power steering.
It wanders. Badly. It takes like five turns from stop to stop. That's normal!
First thing i do now is get a Borgeson box. Single best improvement you can do to a C3. Steering ratio goes from 16 to 12:1. Tight and responsive.
And you get to discard all that junk hanging under the car.
I have done the same thing in the past.....spending hundreds of dollars on shoddy parts for a cobbled together sstock system. It's as if ***** wonka or rube goldberg put together the stock power steering.
It wanders. Badly. It takes like five turns from stop to stop. That's normal!
First thing i do now is get a Borgeson box. Single best improvement you can do to a C3. Steering ratio goes from 16 to 12:1. Tight and responsive.
And you get to discard all that junk hanging under the car.