Steering Play

[sagnoff]

My 67 with PS runs well, but the steering is a little loose on center. Is this normal? It seems to track fine "hands off" but has 3o degrees or so of play when centered.

Any solutions other than a rack and pinion upgrade?;help

 

[Mikey1]

1st check for lube level in steering box. play can be adjusted with the center screw.

It may well be the case that your steering gear is a little worn.

If the above described procedure doesn´t solve the prob you need to open up the box and check closer.

 

[JohnZ]

Tight steering with good on-center feel also requires ball joints, tie rod ends, and upper and lower control arm bushings with no play; if those items have play, the steering will feel "loose" even with a new or properly-adjusted steering gear.

 

[WhalePirot]

play can be adjusted with the center screw

This is not just a simple fix. The play can be any number of places, as Mikey and John mentioned. Check out the moveable links in the steering mechanism (recirculating ball, relay type), from box input shaft (no rack on this car, pal) thru to the wheels.

A simple tightening of the screw that controls the amount of lash between the gears in the steering box MAY remove some play, but may REALLY increase the effort, off-center. The procedure is a bit involved to do properly and a bit too long for this lousy typist to include.

As the steering spends most time near center, the gears most likely have the most wear, and hence the least amount of pre-load in that position. Removing the 'play' there, will decrease (tighten) it of-center. The higher the mileage ion the car; the greater the problem.

I recommend buying and reading a manual; Helm or some other, if you intend to tackle this yourself and want it done correctly.
Mike

 

[IH2LOSE]

I would start with two people and the car tires on the floor.and show your assistent what is the 3 degree rock your un happy with.have them rock it just this 3 degree or so rock you dont like.Start at the steering rag joint is the joint spinning the same amount as the collom if yes just keep going down the line.untill you find the peice that the same effor in does not give the same effort out and chances are thats the bad culpret.As john z says all must be tight.I mean even greased properley.All the little things add up to alot by the time you get out to the tie rodend that are moving the wheel

Ps the rack may not fix the problem.I would diagnouis whats loose befor replacing any parts.My 1966 is nice and tight no loose or uncomfortable spots from lock to lock.So I would not be so fast to upgrade untill we know what is loose,

Now remember I am not saying not to convert to a rack style system just make sure thats what felt wrong in the first place

 

[Pittsaj]

I've done exactly this.. trace it all the way through..
Where I see play in mine is the Power steering valve..
sagnoff also has Power Steering I wonder if his seems loose there as well..

John Z
I think you mentioned this in another post.
Is this power steering valve adjustable..
It seems like it is spring loaded on both sides and moves back an forth more than I would expect..

Tony

 

[JohnZ]

Yes, the ball socket on the control valve is spring-loaded, but the joint doesn't "firm up" unless the engine is running so it has hydraulic pressure on it.