Steering wheel play

[attret00]

I have a little play in the steering column. Looking at the coupler, specfically the rag joint, this is where the play is coming from. Should I replace just the rag joint or the lower coupler and rag joint and is this a very hard job. Thanks ahead of time. This is a '64 327.

 

[bradfordsvettes]

you can get a rebuild kit for the joint all it is is a rubber circle or you can get the whole joint . this is one area that play can develop . you could have other issues but if the rubber in the joint looks in bad shape start there steve not a hard job at all barring any heavy rust

 

[Sams '66]

I have a "little" play also......how much play should there be ....if any?

 

[Gerry]

steering wheel play

When I first got my 67 there was a bit of play in the steering. I checked everything out and found no problems so I went to the steering box and tightened the adjustment up 1/4 turn at a time until I got basically no play. It has been at least 17,000 miles and the steering is still tight with no play. Also repacked the box with lubricant as per "old" chevrolet dealer instructions.

Best regards,
Gerry

PS no power steering on my car

 

[Sams '66]

How do you tighten up the adjustment??

 

[JohnZ]

The "repair kits" are very poorly made and are dangerous, and don't have the internal ground strap or mesh to ground the horn circuit; replace it with the correct complete rag joint (coupler assembly). Steering isn't a great place to save money.

 

[XS650]

How do you tighten up the adjustment??

I don't know the details of doing it on your steering box, but be sure to do it with the front wheels off the ground so you can feel any excess drag from being too tight. A little too tight is rough on the steering gear.

It would be best if you disconnected the pitman arm from the steering linkage while you adjusted the box for better feel.

 

[bradfordsvettes]

The "repair kits" are very poorly made and are dangerous, and don't have the internal ground strap or mesh to ground the horn circuit; replace it with the correct complete rag joint (coupler assembly). Steering isn't a great place to save money.

I have used these kits many times for cars that a rag joint is not available with no adverse problems .you are correct about the ground strap i try two salvage the old parts if possible.as with any repair with brakes or steering a little extra care is needed to assure a proper and safe repair steve

 

[CHEV66JB]

Re:

I have a resto video for a '62 that shows how to adjust your steering box for play, don't know if it would directly apply to later years or not.

If anyone is interested in a copy of the video, please email me for more info at jmbiii@yahoo.com


Jim

 

[bradfordsvettes]

it is a completely different box although the procedure is similar but specific to the model year may be intrested in the video it is always better than the book to see how it is done still not happy with the 61 steve

 

[davis]

Guys what about just going for the Rack and Pinion steering that is sold by a few manufacturers out there? Specifically for a 63?
I would think that would fix things up real nice no?

 

[bradfordsvettes]

it is a nice conversion depends if you want it original or not rack and pinion is a great set up steve

 

[Gerry]

steering play

This adjustment applies to a 67 non-power steering box.

There are two adjustments that can be made but neither will help if there are very worn or damaged parts in the box or other related components.

1) Lash adjuster = screw with locknut in center of top of box between bolts used for filling and checking lubricant level on top plate. This will tighten up the lash in the steering wheel by imposing load on the worm bearings through meshing of rack and sector teeth.

2) Worm bearing adjuster = adjustment used to take end play out of worm gear. Located on left front of box and consists of adjuster locknut and worm bearing adjuster. Before adjusting this the lash adjuster should be loosen to remove the load on the bearings.

As has been ststed to do the adjustments properly the pitman arm should be removed using tool J-6632

First the worm bearings should be adjusted until there is no perceptible end play and then the lash should be adjusted to specs.

I hope this helps as I took it directly from the 67 service manual and it worked well for me. Enjoy.

Best regards,
Gerry

 

[Gerry]

steering play

PS

The steeroids setup (rack and pinion) is wonderful as a couple of my friends have installed it. However, it is not original but does not require any permanent modification to the car.

Best regards,
Gerry

 

[attret00]

I may have gone against all that is holy. The play was at the rubber joint. I couldn't tighten the coupler enough to remove the play so I added a very thin washer on the small pieces of metal that are on the rubber. I then pulled the two couplers together(very gently) with vice grips. This allowed me to be able to tighten the coupler bolts up. There is no more play and she steers like new. I took a long drive with plenty of corners and everything worked well. If I screwed up something I'm not aware of please let me know.

 

[Gerry]

steering play

Hmmmn, I'll have to think about that. If I understand correctly you just added a steel washer to replace the loss or compression of the rubber. This does not sound too bad except not original.

Best regards,
Gerry

 

[attret00]

Yeh, I know the judges wouldn't like it but it'll work until I can find how I want to replace it and who to buy the joint from.

 

[Gerry]

steering play

I agree.

Gerry