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Topic: Steering Left to right flat spot?

in Forum: C3 General Discussion


Steering Left to right flat spot?

Posted: 5/15/16 7:04pm Message 1 of 9
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coral springs, FL - USA
Joined: 3/25/2014
Posts: 71
Vette(s): 81 beauty all original (not anymore!!) Its more fun now!
Hi Guys
not sure how to describe this right.... But when making a left or right turn the steering wheel has a tactile and brief flat spot (almost like getting stuck) for a brief second. When i pass this spot the car is now oversteered.
Any thoughts??
Thanks
Kevin




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Re: Steering Left to right flat spot?

Posted: 5/16/16 10:22am Message 2 of 9
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Duncanville, TX - USA
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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
Flat spot as in it has a slight bind? Or as in no movement on the wheels to correspond with the steering wheel?
If you are feeling a slight bind, it's most likely a problem in the gearbox("new" or not). Could also be something interfering with the steering linkage underneath, but that usually(not always) involves a noise of some sort.



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Re: Steering Left to right flat spot?

Posted: 5/16/16 2:02pm Message 3 of 9
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CHESHIRE, CT - USA
Joined: 5/2/2016
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Vette(s): 1969 350 4 spd drop top 1972 350 auto coupe
I replied on your other post but I would close at the box as I outlined. I don't know who rebuilt your box but I can say they are not all the same. I have been sent many boxes rebuilt by others and there are some bad things done to them. Does the flat spot feel like it's on center?
 
If you have access to a 0-30 in/lb DIAL torque wrench you can remove the box and check it on the bench.



Re: Steering Left to right flat spot?

Posted: 5/16/16 3:48pm Message 4 of 9
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Scottsdale, AZ - USA
Joined: 5/23/2007
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Vette(s): 1981 Corvette Two-Tone Claret color, 4 spd, C7 Vert
I just recognized GTR1999!   Gary is Mr. Steering box!!!!!  I still need to drop mine and send it to him!


      Only 34 years together

Re: Steering Left to right flat spot?

Posted: 5/16/16 4:43pm Message 5 of 9
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Grapevine, TX - USA
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Vette(s): 1972 LT-1 convertible with factory air. 2017 Black Rose Grand Sport M7 convertible.
gtr1999 said: I replied on your other post but I would close at the box as I outlined. I don't know who rebuilt your box but I can say they are not all the same. I have been sent many boxes rebuilt by others and there are some bad things done to them. Does the flat spot feel like it's on center?
 
If you have access to a 0-30 in/lb DIAL torque wrench you can remove the box and check it on the bench.

gtr, welcome to C3VR.  Beer



   

Re: Steering Left to right flat spot?

Posted: 5/17/16 6:17am Message 6 of 9
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CHESHIRE, CT - USA
Joined: 5/2/2016
Posts: 64
Vette(s): 1969 350 4 spd drop top 1972 350 auto coupe
Thanks guys, I will stop in here from time to time to help out if I can.


Re: Steering Left to right flat spot?

Posted: 5/20/16 9:27am Message 7 of 9
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coral springs, FL - USA
Joined: 3/25/2014
Posts: 71
Vette(s): 81 beauty all original (not anymore!!) Its more fun now!
Thanks.. Yes i would describe it as a momentary bind. It is not at center and is intermittent?
seems like it happens more often after running straight for a short distance then turning such as exiting an expressway? 



Re: Steering Left to right flat spot?

Posted: 5/20/16 10:04am Message 8 of 9
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coral springs, FL - USA
Joined: 3/25/2014
Posts: 71
Vette(s): 81 beauty all original (not anymore!!) Its more fun now!
Also what would be the best way to check or adjust the steering box? It was installed about 6 mos ago from a local shop and it was a rebuilt unit.
Thanks again



Re: Steering Left to right flat spot?

Posted: 5/20/16 1:05pm Message 9 of 9
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CHESHIRE, CT - USA
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Vette(s): 1969 350 4 spd drop top 1972 350 auto coupe
To ease your mind on the box I would remove it and bench test it. Yes you can make some adjustment on the car but the best way is with it in a vise with a 0-30 in/lb dial wrench. You really need it to be 0-30 dial too, the clickers, beam, or other torque wrenches wont show you anything.
 
With it in the vise, without attempting any adjustment, to the end of travel and paint mark it on the input and seal. Then go to the other end and do the same, split the difference and with a late 69 to 82 box the D-Flat should be at 12 o'clock. Now you can use the TW and see how much lash drag it has going from end to end in both directions. At the center, called high center, it should read the highest reading. The needle should not jump all over the place, a little is ok with a used box but if it was rebuilt it should be smooth.
 
I have repaired a lot of "rebuilt" vette boxes, from vette shops, well known vette catalog houses, local dealerships, hot rod shops, etc. They were ALL poorly done and many were not even real rebuilds, just paint and grease. The dial-in settings are all over the place and many need new gears, which I think I have the stock on. Corvette Steering in SC was the supplier of box parts and new gears to most of the vendors, Tom died 3-4 years ago and I have his parts. NOT ONE rebuilder ever called for a new set of gears for their customers rebuild. Some have good used stock but many are doing unsafe things rebuilding these boxes. I am not saying that is what you're dealing with but I wouldn't be surprised to find flipped worm nuts or welded teeth either.



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