When driving my 1969, there is excessive play in the steering wheel. Any suggestions of how to tighten the steering up would be appreciated.
C3 Steering
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Re: C3 Steering
Personally, I would put the car up on ramps so that the weight of the car is on the front end. Have somebody gently move the steering wheel from side to side (not so far that it would come off the ramps though). Watch for where the problem is coming from. Idler arms usually cause some of problems but I would pay close attention to the steering box and the tie rod ends. There may be a little play in more than one location. I bet you will find a lot in the steering box and the idler arm. Watch the Idler arm, it should only go side to side and have no play up and down as the steering changes direction. All easy to fix. If you have a overhaul manual you can buy the parts for the steering box and rebuild it yourself (very fun to do). Terry- Top
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Re: C3 Steering
I agree that there is a gear lash adjustment. But, I believe to properly adjust it, the sterring box should be off the car and you should use a small flex type torqe wrench to adjust the force it takes to turn the worm shaft. If you make the adjustment while on the car, it is very difficult to tell how much preload you are putting on the unit (actually, impossible to even come close). If you did that to a new unit, you would probably cause an early failure of the unit in a short period of time. Also, on a worn unit, you will be able to get the slop out of it in the central position where it is worn, but as you turn and get into the less used surfaces it will get extremely tight and bind. I believe the lash adjustment is mainly for the initial assembly, after that if you need to adjust it, consider the box in a state of needing to be rebuilt. If the sterring box is sloppy, you will usually find that the lower bushing is worn and the lower seal is dried out/badly worn. On top of that, you will find that the grease has run out the bottom of the gear box through the seal. I you just add more grease it will run out the bottom. If you replace the seal without replacing the bushing, as you steer that main shaft will flex side to side and grease/heavy oil will drip out again. Eventually, it all comes out. I have heard of people pumping wheel bearing grease into the steering box to sort of fix this but I wouldn't recommend it to a car I cared about. If they have been low on grease, then moisture/condensation usually has gotten in there and pitted the moving surfaces. Almost a given on a old steering box. Only thing good about having a leaky lower seal is that the water can get out the bottom and keep from rusting everything up, especially in a car that is not driven much. Terry- Top
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Re: C3 Steering
I have written instructions to adjust steering gearbox in the car or out of car. Both methods include the use of a small beam or dial torque wrench. The method in the car has you removing pitman arm and steering wheel horn assy to gain access to sterring wheel nut. If memory serves you adjust lash at center location of about 12 to 15 inch lbs. Turning steering nut with torque wrench from left to right of center. Ed- Top
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Re: C3 Steering
The overhaul manual or service manual has a section about what you are describing. I could see doing something like that on a car back when it was a couple of years old or so. Trying to do that on a car that is 30 years old is not so rewarding. Most of the wear is in the center where the car is driven 99% of the time. Usually, it is so badly worn in that section, you can't make any significant improvement (adjustment)in the steering wheel play. Also, the sterring will have a goofy feel or rumble to it. You can feel it as you turn the wheel. Sometimes you get lucky but you will probably have to fudge the numbers on your torque wrench or tolerate more play in the center than you would like.- Top
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