1969 loose steering
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,810
Likes: 469
From: Wichita Kansas
There is some adjustment that can be made but not sure it would fix that much travel. On the gear box itself, on the top, there is a large nut and inside that nut is a threaded fitting.that accepts a common head screwdriver. You have to hold the threaded fitting in place while loosening the large nut. Then you tighten the threaded fitting, taking care not to move it very much, like perhaps less than a quarter turn; moving it too much can cause damage to the internal gears and possibly lock the box up. After re-tightening the nut, thake the car for a drive and see if it helps. Or sit in the car and turn the wheel to see if it is tighter. It's also a good idea to mark the current position of the fitting before moving it so that you can know where you are starting from. Other things that can be done to tighten up steering might include replacing worn out tie rod ends/bushings and checking other steering related parts in the front end. There are also kits available for rebuilding the steering boxes.
Old Pro Solo Guy
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 8,031
Likes: 4,387
From: Marlton NJ
Yes you can.
If you have several inches of wheel movement you probably need to adjust the second box adjustment, the worm shaft bearing preload. You'll need to adjust the 2 inch jam ring that goes around the output shaft: This is the adjustment that gets really loose and causes lot of wheel on-center looseness:
Mine was a 1/2 inch loose and took out 4 inches of looseness at the wheel. Just follow these procedures carefully:
http://www.steerco.com/v/webtech/Ste...Adjustment.pdf
Tons more steering information here and here:
http://www.hotrod.com/articles/ccrp-...g-box-upgrade/
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/
Jim Sheas excellent page on adjusting your box in the car here:
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?p=810
If you have several inches of wheel movement you probably need to adjust the second box adjustment, the worm shaft bearing preload. You'll need to adjust the 2 inch jam ring that goes around the output shaft: This is the adjustment that gets really loose and causes lot of wheel on-center looseness:
Mine was a 1/2 inch loose and took out 4 inches of looseness at the wheel. Just follow these procedures carefully:
http://www.steerco.com/v/webtech/Ste...Adjustment.pdf
Tons more steering information here and here:
http://www.hotrod.com/articles/ccrp-...g-box-upgrade/
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/
Jim Sheas excellent page on adjusting your box in the car here:
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?p=810
Last edited by leigh1322; Jun 28, 2018 at 08:55 AM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,154
Likes: 3,959
From: Connecticut, USA
If you have that much play in the box look at the amount of threads showing above the jam nut in the cover. If there are 2-3 threads you might be able to dial in the lash, if not the gears are most likely all done. I have seen 100's of boxes like that and they all need work.
The bearing preload is probably shot, attempting to adjust it on an assembled box is a waste of time as you won't get an accurate setting, you might think so but it won't be close. On the car lash adjustment has to be done on center or you will over tighten and anything left of the center tooth of the sector will be wrecked in no time.
I am not trying to tell not to attempt it but don't expect much if the box is an original worn out one. It can be made better then new but it will take more then a common bearing kit.
The bearing preload is probably shot, attempting to adjust it on an assembled box is a waste of time as you won't get an accurate setting, you might think so but it won't be close. On the car lash adjustment has to be done on center or you will over tighten and anything left of the center tooth of the sector will be wrecked in no time.
I am not trying to tell not to attempt it but don't expect much if the box is an original worn out one. It can be made better then new but it will take more then a common bearing kit.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,753
From: Charlotte NC
For what it is worth:
YES...the chances that the original steering gear box is needing to be rebuilt is highly likely.
But even if it was done perfectly by GTR1999. That does NOT mean that your steering will be perfect.
Because the steering gear box is only one part of a the steering system so you still have to consider the condition of:
Control arm bushings, ball joints, tie-rod ends, idler arm, power steering control valve stud and if it does not have power steering the condition of the stud on the center link.
And last but not least is the condition of your steering coupling..sd the condition of the steering column bearings themselves or the pivot housing for your tele-tilt steering if you have that.
DUB
YES...the chances that the original steering gear box is needing to be rebuilt is highly likely.
But even if it was done perfectly by GTR1999. That does NOT mean that your steering will be perfect.
Because the steering gear box is only one part of a the steering system so you still have to consider the condition of:
Control arm bushings, ball joints, tie-rod ends, idler arm, power steering control valve stud and if it does not have power steering the condition of the stud on the center link.
And last but not least is the condition of your steering coupling..sd the condition of the steering column bearings themselves or the pivot housing for your tele-tilt steering if you have that.
DUB
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,154
Likes: 3,959
From: Connecticut, USA
Good point, we are assuming the box is the cause and it may very well be but the other parts and alignment have to be good.
Easy enough to check on the car with a helper. Jack up the car so the front tires are clear, have someone inside and center the steering. The steering wheel spoke should be a 6 o'clock, pitman arm pointing forward, this is the high lash, there should be no lost motion at this point moving the steerng wheel- input motion to the box should move the pitman arm at the same time- only on center, off center will have play.
Easy enough to check on the car with a helper. Jack up the car so the front tires are clear, have someone inside and center the steering. The steering wheel spoke should be a 6 o'clock, pitman arm pointing forward, this is the high lash, there should be no lost motion at this point moving the steerng wheel- input motion to the box should move the pitman arm at the same time- only on center, off center will have play.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: New Mexico
The steering wheel has moved off center. The lower spoke points at about the 7 o'clock position now.
thanks for all the links. I am reading through it all.
thanks for all the links. I am reading through it all.
Last edited by Scoolman; Jul 17, 2018 at 02:04 AM.
