Play in steering wheel
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,941
Likes: 1
From: Fidalgo Island Wa
Play in steering wheel
Is there some instruction posted on adjusting play out of my steering? Or am I due for a replacement steering box? The play isnt huge,but enough for some attention.Its more noticeable since I went with larger wheels & low profile tires.Thanks...
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,601
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco CA
St. Jude Donor '07
Mine's always had a little bit of play. I thought it was because of the design (recirculating ball) that it turns a little w/o turning the wheels?
I wanna see what other people say.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
You should try and determine where the play is coming from. Check the flexible coupling, idler arm, linkage pivots, etc. Look at the gear input shaft and compare its motion to the pitman arm motion (or lack of motion).
If you are fairly sure that the gear should be adjusted, here is a procedure that can be carefully done with the gear still in the car.
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/GearAd...-Rev21FE04.doc
If you are fairly sure that the gear should be adjusted, here is a procedure that can be carefully done with the gear still in the car.
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/GearAd...-Rev21FE04.doc
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
Loosen the jam-nut on top of the gearbox and turn the adjustment screw 1/4 turn in. This should improve it, maybe another 1/8 turn is necessary, maybe it doesn't help at all.... if it doesn't help then just turn it back to where it was.... good luck.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
Redbad79,
The adjustment procedure that you are referencing MUST be done with the gear exactly on center! Please read the paper on in-car adjustment of the gear.
Damage to the gear can result if you make the adjustment off center.
Jim
PS: I don't know why the address didn't copy correctly in my original message. Try this one:
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/GearAd...-Rev21FE04.doc
The adjustment procedure that you are referencing MUST be done with the gear exactly on center! Please read the paper on in-car adjustment of the gear.
Damage to the gear can result if you make the adjustment off center.
Jim
PS: I don't know why the address didn't copy correctly in my original message. Try this one:
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/GearAd...-Rev21FE04.doc
Last edited by Jim Shea; Nov 1, 2004 at 02:35 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,212
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio TX
I had a real bad problem with this too.
I could turn the steering wheel almost a 1/4 of a turn before she would respond.
I tried adjusting the gear box and that didn’t work.
I rebuilt the gear box with the kit from Flaming River.
Really nice kit but it didn't help me in this situation.
Then I replaced the coupling. Still no help.
I didn't have many bushings left anywhere on the front end, so then it was time
for the entire front suspension replacement and that finally did the trick.
In an afterthought, it was probably just the bent A arms.
Hopefully that's not your problem but keep it in mind that it could be a possibility.
I could turn the steering wheel almost a 1/4 of a turn before she would respond.
I tried adjusting the gear box and that didn’t work.
I rebuilt the gear box with the kit from Flaming River.
Really nice kit but it didn't help me in this situation.
Then I replaced the coupling. Still no help.
I didn't have many bushings left anywhere on the front end, so then it was time
for the entire front suspension replacement and that finally did the trick.
In an afterthought, it was probably just the bent A arms.
Hopefully that's not your problem but keep it in mind that it could be a possibility.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by Jim Shea
Redbad79,
The adjustment procedure that you are referencing MUST be done with the gear exactly on center! Please read the paper on in-car adjustment of the gear.
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/GearAdjustInVehicle-Rev2
Damage to the gear can result if you make the adjustment off center.
Jim
The adjustment procedure that you are referencing MUST be done with the gear exactly on center! Please read the paper on in-car adjustment of the gear.
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/GearAdjustInVehicle-Rev2
Damage to the gear can result if you make the adjustment off center.
Jim
I did mine without checking the position, it was probably off center but it worked just fine. After loosening the jam nut I found the adjustment screw a little loose, I could turn it approximately 1/4 turn before I felt resistance, I then backed it out slighly and tightened the jam nut. It minimized the play in the steering wheel ... Maybe I was just lucky ???
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,175
Likes: 3,986
From: Connecticut, USA
Originally Posted by RedBad1979
I did mine without checking the position, it was probably off center but it worked just fine. After loosening the jam nut I found the adjustment screw a little loose, I could turn it approximately 1/4 turn before I felt resistance, I then backed it out slighly and tightened the jam nut. It minimized the play in the steering wheel ... Maybe I was just lucky ???
Over-tightening the lash will result in the teeth rubbing too hard and wearing out, it won't happen overnight so I would check yours again.
Gary
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,941
Likes: 1
From: Fidalgo Island Wa
Thanks,guys! I havent checked the flexible joint yet,but I have recently replaced all my suspension bushings with poly,& got HD tie rods,smart struts,etc,all from VB&P.I will try the steering box adjustment & see if that helps 1st. 
This link doesnt seem to work for me,though--> http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/GearAdjustInVehicle-Rev2 ...Thars OK,this one did--> http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/GearAd...-Rev21FE04.doc
This link doesnt seem to work for me,though--> http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/GearAdjustInVehicle-Rev2 ...Thars OK,this one did--> http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/GearAd...-Rev21FE04.doc
Last edited by redson; Nov 1, 2004 at 01:15 PM.
