I have a c 3 the steering is very tight I know all of the front end has been replaced it was my dad's and he has passed away. I got the car and redid the motor it's a fun car to drive ,but the steering is very tight it dives like a go kart lol I mean it's to respseve it darts to the direction when make the connection when driving. I have been doing research . But I want to hear from the group. Please input

 

IF your car is a POWER STEERING car...the OUTER TIE rod end should be on the INNER hole of the arm that is bolted to your spindle assembly on each wheel.

IF you car is MANUAL steering.....then the tie rod end is in the OUTER hole.

IF your car is power steering and the tie rod end is in the OUTER HOLE...the steering will be WICKEDLY sensitive!!!!

OR.... If it is correctly installed...then it can be in the alignment....and may need to be checked.

DUB

 

There are several things that could cause such steering problems; the most likely of those is a VERY worn flex coupling (ragjoint) between the steering column shaft and the steering box.

With car sitting in garage or on pavement (engine OFF), have someone turn the steering wheel from left to right (and repeat several times) about 1/2 turn each way, while you look at the ragjoint to see how it is doing. If operating correctly, the shafts on either side of the ragjoint should be doing exactly the same thing. If there is 'lost motion' between those two shafts, the ragjoint must be rebuilt or replaced. There are LOTS of past threads on redoing the ragjoint, should that be your problem. You can do a SEARCH on that issue to review them.

If that is not your problem, take your car to a REPUTIBLE alignment shop and ask them to inspect your steering system and let you know what looks like it needs repair. You don't have to have THEM repair it; just tell them you want to pay for them to inspect your car and give you results. If you choose to have them repair it, that can be discussed after you have knowledge of what is wrong with it.

 

Tight steering meaning no slop? I would suspect not enough caster in the alignment. Just out of curiosity what are the shims like on the upper arms, thickness or quantity?

 

Steering box ratio could also cause ultra-quick steering. Although most came equipped with 16:1,there are companies selling boxes with 12.7:1. Combine that with power steering & steering would be lighting-quick and, possibly, dangerous.

 

On the right side one . 1/16 front ... in the back 1/16 size to make the thickness of one half inch. The left all 1/16 in size the front measure 1/4 inch. In the back about the same

 

Doesn't sound crazy, if the steering is tight with no slop probably all it needs is more caster in the alignment. Toe is going to have an effect on that too, better get the alignment checked. I did my own when I went to rack and pinion steering because it was just toe, but after the tubular upper control arms I gave it to a Corvette specialist.

 

Tires, tire pressure, alignment.
It is amazing how much tire pressure can affect the steering.

 

Check your dates.

 

You are responding to a post from 5 years ago.