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Topic: Play in steering no fun!

in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling


Play in steering no fun!

Posted: 4/1/07 8:06am Message 1 of 5
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Long Valley, NJ - USA
Joined: 3/21/2007
Posts: 297
Vette(s): 1972 454 Coupe, 4 speed, Targa Blue with blue interior, luggage rack 2019 Grand Sport Coupe, M7, Ceramic Matrix Gray with gray interior
Hey guys, I'm a 'newbie" here and a "newbie" Corvette owner.  I bought my first last fall and had it in the garage all winter (I live in the northeast)  Now I'm ready to take it out to play but I notice there is a lot of play in the steering which can be quite unnerving.  When I turn the wheel there's a good 4 or 5 inches of movement before the car reacts.  I'm not sure where to start.  It's a 1972 454 coupe, 4 speed, with power steering.  I've been told it's the steering valve, steering box, column shaft coupler, etc.  Before diving in I just thought I'd ask if there's any "common" fixes for this.  Thanks much!


Mario

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Play in steering no fun!

Posted: 4/1/07 8:39am Message 2 of 5
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BINGHAMTON, NY - USA
Joined: 7/19/2003
Posts: 3808
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I'd check the RAG JOINT first,the coupler.I'd be afraid to drive it like that,It aint safe with that much play,then go from there bad steering box ,pitman arm ,Idler arm,tie rod ends,ball joints,it dont sound goodConfused


C3VR Lifetime Member #93

Play in steering no fun!

Posted: 4/1/07 4:05pm Message 3 of 5
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Australia
Joined: 5/6/2004
Posts: 535
Vette(s): 71 Coupe Black on Black
If your power steering feels hard or it takes up as the play takes up, it could be the valve.  CHOCK YOUR WHEELS!  Then look under the car behind the drivers front wheel while the engine is running IN NEUTRAL and have someone wiggle the steering wheel.  All you should see at the valve is a slight (like 1/16th or 1/8th of an inch) movement of the link that goes into the top of the valve before everything starts moving.  Any more than that or any vertical movement would indicate the valve is worn.  Any leaks would also indicate problems.
If the Pittman arm (the arm from the bottom of the steering box to the top of the valve) doesn't move (or has play) while the second person is moving the steering wheel, this would indicate the steering box has problems.
THE RAG JOINT is your first port of call though as has been said by others.
If you don't see any play in these areas, you may have tie rod or draglink or even ball joint problems.  But look for the obvious first.  It may be something simple and cheap to fix.
Chips582007-04-01 16:09:04


Play in steering no fun!

Posted: 4/2/07 7:20pm Message 4 of 5
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Long Valley, NJ - USA
Joined: 3/21/2007
Posts: 297
Vette(s): 1972 454 Coupe, 4 speed, Targa Blue with blue interior, luggage rack 2019 Grand Sport Coupe, M7, Ceramic Matrix Gray with gray interior
Thanks guys, soon as I get a chance I'll try your suggestions and let you know what happens!  Hey Chips58 didn't you respond to my sagging doors post which showed pictures of a blue convertible?  PS read a travel book on Australia by Bill Bryson called "In a Sunburned Country" it was hilarious!  I recommend it.


Mario

Play in steering no fun!

Posted: 4/3/07 4:17am Message 5 of 5
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New Zealand
Joined: 3/26/2005
Posts: 232
Vette(s): Silver '81 mostly original C3. Silver interior, bilstiens, big sway bars, headers.
Somewhere else on the site is an existing thread about adjusting the screw thingy on the steering box (if your box is the same) - it worked a treat for me, reduced 2-3 inches of slop to a nice safe almost nothing. (I was too scared to go all the way...   


Kiwi Chris

in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling


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