steering adjustment

[ro.co2]

My steering is very tight, what I mean is when doing 70mph I feel that I have to drive with both hands because the slightest movement in either direction is transmitted to the wheels. Can this be adjusted at the steering box or maybe the steering ratio changed. By the way its a power steering car.

 

[rwd]

Assuming this is not a new condition and everything is operating nominally, one option would be to relocate the tie rods to the outer set of holes on the spindles for the slower ratio that the manual steering cars use. However, it may be alignment or something else besides the steering.

 

[ro.co2]

Thanks for the reply, when you say the outer hole do you mean the one closest to the front of the car.

 

[67HEAVEN]

I'm not certain of this, but there may be clearance reasons why you shouldn't move to the manual holes on power steering cars.

There may be a variety of reaons for your problem. Alignment (front and rear), tire pressure, tire type, and overall condition of your suspension, among others.

 

[ro.co2]

The problem is not that any of the steering is loose or vibrating its the opposite in that the slightest turn in either direction over compensates the response to the wheels. Which hole by the way is for manual steering the one towards the front of the car .

 

[Bob Chadwick]

I just ran across this paper on in car adjustment of the C3's steering box. As I understand the things, the mid years had the same setup.

 

[ro.co2]

thanks for the reply, good information.

 

[Ron Miller]

Assuming this is not a new condition and everything is operating nominally, one option would be to relocate the tie rods to the outer set of holes on the spindles for the slower ratio that the manual steering cars use. However, it may be alignment or something else besides the steering.

This is not an option on a power steering car. The outer set of tie rod holes were plugged with rivets from the factory to prevent relocation of the tie rods to these holes, if I remember correctly. Interference problems, again if memory serves me . . . .
rlm

 

[ro.co2]

thanks Ron.

 

[rwd]

One manual I have says there can be interference with the frame if the slow steer hole is used with the power assist, the other doesn't. I know it's been done, but I don't know what (if anything) may have had to be modified. Unfortunately, the person with the car is no longer around here to ask.

In either case, I'm not sure that's what's causing the complaint. Even the quick steer isn't particularly quick, and the issue is more on-center behavior.

 

[rwd]

BTW, is this a new or recent issue or has the car always done it?

 

[ro.co2]

When I first got the car it had a bad pitman. Its been like this since its been fixed and runs smooth at high speed. The steering is so tight that it only takes a small movement to have you out of your lane.

 

[67HEAVEN]

I think Bobchad hit on it with his reference to the steering box adjustment.

 

[magicv8]

I'll jump in and ask what settings were used to align the front end and what tires are on the car. The 63-7 front end settings are not for radial tires. If you want a car that is steady on the road, tell the alignment shop to use 76 Corvette specs. The suspension is the same and the 76 had radials from the factory.

 

[ro.co2]

Thanks guys I'm going to have another look at the steering box and alignment.

 

[Sams '66]

Thanks guys I'm going to have another look at the steering box and alignment.

How much freeplay in the wheel from side to side should there be in a non power steering car? :confused

 

[JohnZ]

I doubt if your sensitivity problem has anything to do with the steering system; most likely it's alignment-related, probably rear toe-in, set improperly, unequal from side to side, missing shims, front of a trailing arm loose and moving laterally, etc. I have a power steering car with alignment set correctly, radial tires, and it drives just fine. Don't move the tie rod ends to the rear set of holes - it can allow the power cylinder to over-travel and damage the seals - that's why the factory put aluminum plugs in the rear holes on a power steering car.