I know on a GM there is a way to tighten up some of the slop in the steering. There is an adjustment for back lash in the steering on a GM steering box. Does my 66 have this adjustment too?

Had my alignment and inspection done and noticed that there is too much play in the steering for my taste..

Anyone?

 

If there is let me know I have about 2 in of play in my 66, as far as I know you mit have to rebuild the steering gear.

 

Took a shot looking at the repair manual.. It tells you how to adjust the back lash and end play of the shaft.



[IMG]local://upfiles/26659/0EB06F61E96149B38B0A5938AAF05D79.jpg[/IMG]

 

thanks that should help

 

I really helps to do that. Makes it feel like a different car.

 

Sadly, much of the slop can also be due to the teeth in the gear box being worn down... usually can find good graphics on the Flaming River steering box ads to show you how the steering gears build that slop over time. I guess it was a bit of a design flaw. (Or just the effect of 40 yeaars of bumpy roads and bumpsteer)

So if that adjustment doesn't hold... it may be time to rebuild or replace.

FWIW

 

yeah, on the steering box, there is a nut, loosen it, and then tighten the little screw.

 

The right way to do it, is to turn your steering wheel to the left as much as it will go, then loosen the nut on the steering box, and use a screw driver to tighten it until it rubs, then back off a tad, then tighten down the nut. If you tighten it with the wheel straight, you will get it rubbing too much and will cause undue premature wear.

 

Thanks Soaring

Did you do this adjustment? It states to take the pitman arm off. I'm not sure it that's needed or not but, from the adjustment steps pic I posted it appears that the shaft that the pitman arm mounts too is the shaft that gets turned in order to tighten up the slop? Is that correct?

 

http://www.stangerssite.com/adjustment.html Here is a bunch of good info on adjusting your steering box.

This guy also does rebuilds, resonably priced, and the difference is amazing.

http://www.stangerssite.com/steering_box.html