Another darn fool steering question

Discussion in 'The whoa and the sway.' started by Premier 350, Apr 7, 2017.

  1. Premier 350

    Premier 350 Chris (aka Webby)

    Got the new steering box in and driving. Great feel and I'm enjoying the quicker steering.
    I've noticed that I have about a quarter turn more wheel movement to left full lock than right, and that the line
    stamped on the end of the steering column shaft is off centre. I assume that line indicates where straight ahead is?
    My question is: Can I line up the steering wheel and column shaft in the straight ahead position, and is the enough adjustment in the tie rods to get it all lined up?

    The pitman arm postion to the box is correct, and I believe I got the rag joint position right, and the coupling at between the column and the steering shaft too.

    Sorry for the l-o-n-g winded post, I wanted to cover all the bases.
    Regards, and thanks for all replies.
    Chris,
     
  2. knucklebusted

    knucklebusted Well-Known Member

    The first thing I'd do is check to see if you are hitting the stops at full left and full right. If that is true, then, yes, you can adjust the tie rod ends to center the steering box and then correct the wheel.
     
  3. SteeveeDee

    SteeveeDee Orange Acres

    Once you have ascertained that what knucklebusted has advised is true, you might want to make sure that the Pittman arm really is on the box correctly. I've seen them one tooth off and exhibit the same problem. You may have to remove the rag joint bolts to verify this, by turning lock to lock, then centering the steering wheel, and re-verifying where the arm is. Another problem that can be observed with the Pittman arm one tooth off is that the car doesn't hold the road. This is because the crown on the sector gear isn't centered on the worm gear, and the feel is looser. Might not be your problem, but something to check for, in the process of elimination. I had this problem with a car many years ago, and no alignment shop ever caught it. I didn't figure it out until I asked the previous owner about it, and found out that the steering gear box had been replaced. It could turn on a dime one way, and couldn't turn to save it's life, the other way.
     
  4. Premier 350

    Premier 350 Chris (aka Webby)

    Thanks guys. Pitman arm is fine, I lined up the marks on the steering wheel and column and centralised it all with the tie rods
    My original alignment on the tie rods back in 2011 was way off.
     
    knucklebusted likes this.
  5. philbquick

    philbquick Founders Club Member

    SteeveeDee is correct, the steering box has a straight position which is where the sector gear is at the peak of it's crown. Once you find the peak put the steering wheel on in the straight position and leave it there forever, any further centering of the steering wheel is done with the tie rod ends. The best way to exactly find the peak is to use a 1/4" flex beam torque wrench, I got mine at a swap meet for $5. Disconnect the pitman arm from either the box or drag link, put the torque wrench on the steering wheel nut and watch the reading as you rotate the steering shaft. As you get close to the peak the reading will increase and then decrease as you go past it. If the box is properly adjusted you should read about 13 in lbs at the peak, that's where you want your steering wheel to be straight.
     

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