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Topic: 1979 Steering Play

in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling


1979 Steering Play

Posted: 5/24/07 12:07pm Message 1 of 8
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Jamestown, ND - USA
Joined: 3/2/2007
Posts: 30
Vette(s): 1979 Corvette Black on Black
My '79 has about 2 inches of play in the steering wheel.  Can this be adjusted out of the power steering system?
 
Thx



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1979 Steering Play

Posted: 5/24/07 1:55pm Message 2 of 8
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North Charleston, SC - USA
Joined: 3/20/2004
Posts: 4176
Vette(s): 1975 L48 AT AC T-top
Two inches is pretty severe. Sounds like worn parts. You need to visually identify the source. I suggest doing a search here on C3VR for "play in steering". I recall numerous posts on the subject. Good luck.

Scott



1979 Steering Play

Posted: 5/24/07 2:50pm Message 3 of 8
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Oceanside, CA - USA
Joined: 11/19/2003
Posts: 191
Vette(s): 1978 Silver Anniversary model. Original L82 engine, 700r4 trans, edelbrock intake, thorly headers, rack&pinion steering, mono rear and front spring, MSD 6A box
One thing you might want to check is the lower steering column bearing. It you need to replace it eckler's  has them for under $25.00.
 



1979 Steering Play

Posted: 5/24/07 3:09pm Message 4 of 8
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Lake Oswego, OR - USA
Joined: 10/17/2003
Posts: 559
Vette(s): 1972 Steel Cities Gray T Top. Original Owner, Original Paint and Interior. The running gear has been rebuilt. only 250,000 miles on the clock..
When you jack up the Vette and take the front wheels off the ground, do you still have 2" of play before the wheels move? If so it is not in the steering box or the power steering control valve. There is a bushing that the control valve ram mounts to check that out also.
Best of luck. Smile



 
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1979 Steering Play

Posted: 5/24/07 6:48pm Message 5 of 8
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20225
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Sounds like the rag joint has broken.


Joel Adams
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1979 Steering Play

Posted: 5/29/07 6:25am Message 6 of 8
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Badin Lake, NC - USA
Joined: 4/21/2004
Posts: 101
Vette(s): 1979 Red L-48 Corvette with Doeskin interior, 3-speed automatic, 3.55 rear; 1986 L-98 Coupe, 4+3 Manual - Satin Black and Purple (SCCA TT/Hillclimb Car); 1993 White LT-1 Coupe, Black Interior, 6-speed
I would check the "rag joint", also known as a steering coupler, donut, and "that miserable piece of S***".


C3: 1979 Corvette Coupe, Auto, L-48, Red/Doeskin (my wife's fave);
C4s: 1986 C4 coupe (SCCA road race car), satin black, 4+3, Z51 package, L-98;  & 1993 C4 coupe, white, 6-speed, LT-1.

1979 Steering Play

Posted: 5/29/07 1:01pm Message 7 of 8
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Joined: 3/19/2005
Posts: 385
Yea, check the rag joint. I had that problem and also had to have a steering box, I hope you don't, $459.00 at Ecklers. If it is a rag joint you can pick one up at NAPA. Gene


1979 Steering Play

Posted: 6/4/07 8:21am Message 8 of 8
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Scottsdale, AZ - USA
Joined: 5/23/2007
Posts: 617
Vette(s): 1981 Corvette Two-Tone Claret color, 4 spd, C7 Vert
While you're under there check the idler arm for play when someone turns the wheel.
JU



      Only 34 years together

in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling


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