I took the 69 on its maiden voyage for me yesterday. The steering is sloppy! Lots of play in the steering wheel. The front suspension needs to be rebuilt but it cant possibly be coming from just that.
it has manual steering. Is it the steering box or rag joint? What's the fix? On my 71 I eliminated the rag joint with a metal flex joint. Is that still a popular mod?

 

I had @GTR1999 rebuild my steering box when I converted my 80 to manual steering. I also have a Flaming River U-Joint in place of the rag joint. Try to get the car in the air on ramps, and have a helper turn the steering wheel while you look for play.

For the all-over-the-road feel, consider that trailing arm bushings and/or strut rod bushings can also cause spooky handling.

 

Definitely factor these in. Recently discovered my adjustable strut rods had 'adjusted themselves', my car was definitely affected, the rear end now follows the front end instead of trying to go ahead lol

 

I guess the answer here is , "There is no one simple answer".
it is a 50 year old car. a number of things can be worn, or simply perished . Yes your rag link could be shot, easy to check. but so could a number of things in a car this old.
Welcome to the madness!

 

Are these new tires and aired up properly ?

 

Eve the rear tires contribute to the "all over the road" sensation. Check for correct alignment and make sure there are actually trailing arm shims in place.
Oooops, Bikespace already said that, nevertheless .....

 

Take your car to a REPUTABLE alignment shop and ask them to assess the integrity of the steering and suspension (including the rear trailing arms). Tell them you will pay them for the assessment and would like an ESTIMATE from them on the repairs, if they are interested in doing them. But, DO NOT commit to having them do the work until you have had time to review their assessment and think about the best way to do the repairs.

Asking us what is wrong with a car we can't drive is really not going to provide you with any useful information....other than what items in the steering and suspension could be to blame. And that could be ALL of them, We are just guessing....

 

"Spooky handling" is probably resulting in something suddenly moving or shifting under bump/cornering load.
Top suspects in my mind: (These would cause the biggest impact on steering wheel angle or toe-in changes) (They would make the car steer itself)

• Steering box worn/loose internally
• rag joint loose
• idler arm loose
• rear strut rod bushings loose or bent
• Missing T/A arm shims
• Rear toe-out

Obviously check everything anyway. You can do it yourself if you are handy. Start by checking the wheel bearings, then every joint for any "looseness" at all.

 

I have the same issue with my 69. I'm saving up to just get some van steel stuff.

 

It should be fairly easy to check and determine your issue(s) with the steering, yourself with a few simple checks. First thing to try, sitting in the car, engine off, key in ignition in position with steering wheel unlocked (engine not running) try moving the steering wheel left and right (CCW/CW). Determine how much your steering wheel moves without moving the wheels, is it 5 degrees, 15 degrees, etc. Next open the hood and have an assistant now turn the wheel back and forth as you did while you look at the rag joint. Is the steering column movement transferred across the rag joint or is much of it lost in a sloppy joint. That's your first potential issue, a worn rag joint especially if it is original or very old. If it has been replaced in say the last 10 years or less it is less likely to be the rag joint. I should say it helps to have the factory service manuals and the assembly manuals but I suspect you know that. Once you determine the rag joint condition (good or fixed) move onto the steering box. For the steering box you would need the car safely supported with the front wheels off the ground and again an assistant would turn the wheel back and forth moving the steering wheel slope only and look at the steer box input and output. Is all the input motion transmitted through the steering box? If not then it either needs adjustments or repair, Search the forum or google for Jim Shea steering papers, he has them outlining the rag joint and replacement as well as on the car steering box adjustments, there are two adjustments. if you think the steering wheel motion is being mostly transferred through the steering box the next suspects are the steering components, idler arm, center link, tie rods, ball joints. Again, checkable by just figuring where motion is getting through to or where it is being lost. To properly check ball joints the weight of the steering and suspension needs to be removed and then you can check the ball joints for wear. Anyway, I'm sure you know that you will receive plenty of help and support once you start to figure things out, just ask. Let us know what you find. Good luck, Russ.