Steering Play

[dk1977]

I'm new to the forum. This is very good...thanks for your time and efforts.

On my '77, I was checking the steering for excess play and the only slack seemed to be where the control valve to pittman arm stud seats in the valve itself. The pittman arm is tight on the box and to the stud. This is the second "recon" valve (the first one leaked). Should there be any play internally?
Any thoughts?

 

[Blue82]

The stud in the control valve should turn, but it should be tight with no play. I would buy a new one from one of the mags. This is one of the parts on our cars that it doesn't pay to go the cheaper route.

Just a quick FYI...I learned the hard way with my Vette and our old 89 Suburban. Buy your parts from A-line or Nappa so even if the part is used, it is still AC Delco. If I had been running a repair log on my cars I would have known years ago how many water pumps, fan cluthes, alternators, power steering pumps, and starters I have gone through. I accidentally discovered this when I was backing my wife off my backside during our umpteenth conversation about why I'm always working on my cars.

My Vette has never been more reliable in the 8 yrs. I've had it. I'm still getting that crud off my Suburban.

Oh...welcome to CAC. It's a great place to be!

 

[Bill75]

You can also adjust the steering play by tightening or loosening the adjusting screw on the top of the steering box. The "correct" adjustment may be more of what you like rather than what the book says. I just had my front end done which included cleaning, relubing, and re-adjusting the steering box. It was adjusted less than an 1/8th of a turn out when I got the car back which was too tight for my liking so I backed it out a little. You may want to experiment bringing the adjustment in a little to remove some of the excess play that has built up over the years due to parts wearing.


Bill

 

[dk1977]

Thanks for the info..I'll order a new one and try again.

 

[wishuwerehere82]

I guess the question I would have to ask is "Are you having problems with your steering/handling"?

There can be many causes of poor handling that don't have anything to do with your steering, ie: wheel bearings, bushings, alignment, shocks.

What is the main problem that you are having?
Bumpsteer? Understeer? Wobble? Hard steering? Asymettry?

 

[dk1977]

I just bought the car and I wanted to make sure of the ft end condition. There was excessive "slack" in the steering at the steering wheel (my opionon). I replaced all wear parts and springs. I had the ft end aligned at a "local" shop. I suspect the alignment is not to spec. Speaking of specs, in my Chilton's, there are very different settings for the c-3 through the years. I'm really showing my ignorance here..... but I thought the c-3 front ends were pretty much the same, parts wise, why all the different specs? Anyone know of "good" specs for my '77 or should I stick with Chilton's and find a Corvette Ft End shop? It is a 350, auto, strictly cruising. At 60-70, the car now seems to wander and any correction seems to be overcorrection. I did loosen the steering box (pittman adj) a small amount, but haven't had it out to see if that helped.

 

[JohnZ]

C3 alignment specs are different between the early years with bias-ply tires and the later ones with radials. The key difference is front toe-in; the bias-ply spec is 3/16"-5/16" for total toe-in, but radials want zero-to-1/16" total toe. Other than the tires, the '68-'82 front suspension parts are all the same.

There will be some play in the control valve stud with the engine shut off; with the engine running, hydraulic pressure stiffens it up, and assist doesn't start until 55# pressure is exerted by the stud seat on the valve spool.

"Loosening" the steering gear adjuster will make your wandering issue worse, not better; the correct adjustment procedure is shown in the Chassis Service Manual.

 

[wishuwerehere82]

One thing that helps a lot is to adjust the steering box, with someone else wiggling the steering wheel back and forth while you turn the adjusting screw in until all the slack is taken out of the box. There is a preload spec for the steering wheel, but I prefer to adjust it to my liking. It may take a couple of test rides to get it perfect.

 

[waterboy1976]

DK dont mean to hijack your thread but while we are on steering play, I have play in the wheel left to right. The wheel moves left or right approx an inch or so before any resistance (aka: moving the shaft in the steering box) its almost like you can bounce the wheel back and forth. Any suggestions??

 

[wishuwerehere82]

See my post above. it will take care of your problem, and the car won't jump into the other lane every time you hit a bump.

 

[waterboy1976]

wow Pete, how'd I miss that one?? Thanks....