What is best way to take play out of steering ?

[firstgear]

C1 - 1960 - The steering wheel seems to have a little more play than I would like it to have....what is the best way to get that fixed? Is it possible to get a rebuilt? I know the gear box is part of the steering column...and with the serial number of the car attached it must be a pain to replace....what did other do and where did you get the parts? Is this something that can be repaired while still in the car or does everything have to come out?

 

[John Mcgraw]

The C1 steering column can be rebuilt, but the hard parts to do so will cost in excess of $400. Before you spend all this money, follow the lash adjustment procedure in the ST-12. Pay close attention to the instructions, as adjusting the lash too tight will result in ruining what may be a perfectly acceptable worm gear. The box has 2 adjustments, a bearing lash, which is adjustable by tightening the cup adjuster at the lower end of the box, and a sector roller to worm lash adjuster which is adjusted by turning the screw on the side of the box. This is usually the adjustment that can help the "loose steering " syndrome. The sector roller rides against the worm gear, and if too loose, it can make for a lot of play. If adjusted too tight, it can wipe out the worm in short order.
The worm gear has a high spot on it at exactly the center of the worm which makes for absolutely no play when the steering wheel is centered and the car is going straight down the road. Any place off of dead center, there will be a little play to avoid wiping out the gear. You have to adjust to this high spot, and no place else. If your box does not have this tight spot at dead center, then the gear is probably worn out. Obviously, adjustment of the drag link is critical to assure that the box is centered when the wheels are straight ahead. Also, the drag link as well as the kingpins can be the source of substantial steering "slop". Read the instructions carefully in the ST-12 and if you do not completely understand, drop me an Email. More C1 steering boxes are probably ruined by improper adjustment then ever wear out on their own.

Regards, John McGraw

 

[WayneC]

And bear in mind that C1 steering is NEVER going to feel as tight as the rack & pinion steering in modern cars.

 

[I_R_DA_ONE]

A lot of the steering parts are the same as you would find on a full size 53 or 54 chevy.. you may find some at an old junk yard...

 

[MikeH]

Might want to check the front wheel bearings. I replaced my worn out ball bearings with taper roller bearing and realized a significant improvement in steering feel.