I have a 66 coupe and i was curious on how to tighten up the steering. When i ride down the road the car shifts on me to the left and right, im not sure if thats a suspension issue or an alignment issue. What might the issue be and how do i solve it?

Thanks for any info

D.K.

 

How much play in in your steering box? If you have some play in it, it won't take but a few minutes to tighten up the box. Turn your steering wheel all the way to the left, then loosen up the retaining nut on the top of your steering box, and using a blade screw driver, turn the adjustment screw clockwise until you feel it rub slightly, then tighten down the retaining nut. You may also have some worn suspension parts. Get the car in the air and put jack stands under it. Now, start grabbing suspension parts and shake the chit out of them to see if any have play in them. If they do, then replace them.

 

It could be anything from a loose steering box to worn out ball joints or bushings to a bent idler arm. Take it in to Les Schwab and have them check it out. They'll put it up on a rack, push, pull and wiggle parts and let you know what the issues are. If you are thinking of having them do the work, I'm sure they'll even throw in a free estimate!

Here is a link to a website with good descriptions of steering & suspension components.
http://www.carcare.org/Steering_Suspension/ball_joint.shtml

Good Luck!

 

Thanks for the info.. ill get that checked out next week... have a good weekend

 

If it's shifting from side to side... I'd suspect worn tie rods, Just be prepared. A 40 year old car that's not been redone before could be a series of issues. Tie rods, ball joints, idler arm, pitman arm, drag link, steering box... they all have some amount of wear with adds up to a sloppy feel. Don't be surprised if you tighten the steering box and you still wander.

As with any 42 year old car, plan on saving your pennies and rebuilding the steering, suspension, and brake systems BEFORE thinking about any engine work.

Safety first.

 

I'm going to do the same thing you've suggested above... however, mine doesn't start drifting until I get up around 60 mph. At that point, it's hard to go in a straight line. I'm guessing that my steering parts are at the beginning phases of telling me their worn out... any suggestions?

 

Did you tighten your steering box like I suggested? If so, and that didn't help, then follow JamesW's advice and rip out that 40 year old suspension and replace it with new stuff. You might even consider Rack and Pinion steering too.

 

quick, someone take Glen's temperature. i think he has a fever

 

I replaced the tie rods, idler arm and upper ball joints in my suspension. Still has the factory bushings, lower ball joints, pitman arm, steering box etc. I have adjusted my steering box though to tighten it up. It's completely stable at over 120mph. Parts that move eventually wear out, and need maintenence and occasional replacement. Just don't start replacing everything in your steering until you know what's wrong, some of it may still be fine, and there's no sense in replacing that which doesn't need it