Steering linkage

[Joe L.]

Addendum

One other thing that I should have mentioned for those that are interested, the change from the cast iron to the aluminum cover did not occur at the same time as the change from the non-indexed to the indexed worm shaft. My September, 1969-built convertible had a steering box with an aluminum cover, but it had the early style, non-indexed wormshaft. The change to the indexed worm shaft end may have occured before the end of the 1969 model year, though. If so, I'd say that it happened sometime between October and December, 1969.

Also, I have a friend who is also the original owner of his 1969. His car was built in October, 1968. His has the aluminum cover, too. So, if cast iron covers were used on 1969s, then it was likely only for VERY early cars.

[Michael H.]

Re: Steering linkage

Ross,

As Joe mentioned, 70 was the beginning of the new style gear shaft so it would not be possible to index any of the lower components incorrectly. The only other thing I can think of would be an improperly indexed steering wheel hub and shaft. There are also index marks on both the end of the steering shaft and the hub. I'm not familiar with 68 and later but I would think the relationship between the steering wheel and the coupler would be a clue as to weather or not the wheel hub is indexed correctly. With the steering wheel in the straight ahead position, where is the pinch bolt on the coupler? Vertical, horizontal or somewhere between?

If you have a non telly column, it should just be a matter of removing the horn cap to verify that the mark on the hub is indexed with the mark on the end of the shaft.

[Duke W.]

Re: Steering linkage

I was going to suggest you remove the coupling from the wormshaft and verify that it is properly indexed, but per Joe's post your year car should have a "flat" on the wormshaft and can only be installed one way. My '63 does not have a flat on the wormshaft, only a faint radial index mark on the end of the wormshaft.

Notwithstanding this, I still suggest you remove the coupling from the wormshaft and verify that it is indexed properly. If the wormshaft does have a flat and there is only one way to install it, then that's it. If the wormshaft doesn't have a flat then the radial index line must align with the opening in the coupling spline.

Also, did you verify that the steering wheel is properly indexed to the shaft. The upper end of the shaft and steering wheel hub should have "matchmarks" to indicate proper indexing.

Duke

[Ross Flora]

Re: Steering linkage

Duke, taking off the steering wheel is next on my agenda. I am positive that I have the correct steering gear. I am positive that the worm gear and the column shaft are indexed correctly, as thay can't go together any other way. Now the only question is, where is center? The lock to lock test didn't give me a definitive answer because the difference seems to be within the margin for error. If the flat face on the input shaft is at 12:00 the steering wheel is centered, but the tie rod lengths are off by one inch. If the flat face is on the LH side, the tie rod lengths are even, but the steering wheel is off by 30 degrees. If I pull the wheel, I have tilt so, It will take some time, and the hash marks are miss-aligned then great, problem solved. but, if the hash marks are aligned and, the steering is centered, and the shafts match up, then I still have the un-equal tie rod length problem. What then?

[Duke W.]

Re: Steering linkage

One step at a time. Check the steering wheel indexing. It wasn't unusual for the steering wheel to be reindexed to correct a wheel centering problem rather than attaching the root cause,which was usually uneqaul tie rod length, assuming everything else in the steering system was properly indexed.

Duke

[Michael H.]

Re: Steering linkage

I'm still thinking it's the steering wheel hub that is not correctly indexed with the shaft. If that's not the problem, I would start looking for accident damage. Doesn't take much to twist a pitman shaft or bend a frame.

[Harmon C.]

I don't think you have a problem

Michael

I just measured the center to center on the tie rods on my 75 and they are 15 1/4" R H side and 16 1/2" L H side. I think them not being the same was your original question. I hope this helps. Lyle

[Ross Flora]

Re: I don't think you have a problem

Lyle, I agree they probably are not perfectly equal. In my case, the left side is so short that the rod is at the end of its adjustment. I think the tubes are about 10.5" long. I have plenty left on the right side.

[Harmon C.]

Re: I don't think you have a problem

Ross

If you did not clean the threads out or the replacements had longer threads could cause a problem. Try to thread the ends in both sleaves until they get to the length they were when you took them off. You should have one longer than the other.
I put a slot on two sides of the old tie rod ends with a cut off wheel on the threads. With this tool you can clean the threads using oil that were not used for years that are rusty and dirty. I do this so their is no problem at the alignement shop. The vette I checked has power steering.
Lyle

[Chas Henderson #28127]

Re: I don't think you have a problem

Ross,
Do you have power steering? If you do, have you removed the power steering valve? If you have, and you didnt put it back to the original position, the steering wheel will not be at center. Depending on how far you screwed it back on, will change the wheel position. Something else to ponder.

Chasman

[Michael H.]

The Butler Did It

Sure hope we get to find out what the problem turns out to be. This is like reading a murder novel with the last ten pages of the book missing. (I still think the butler changed the steering wheel hub index)

[Ross Flora]

Re: The Butler Did It

I think it was Bubba. No I don't have power steering, this car has few options. I pulled the steering wheel and looked for the scribe mark. Sure enough it was at 12:00 with the wheel straight and the steering shafts oriented correctly. The only thing I can think of is that something is bent. I have spent hours under there looking for obvious frame damage, I can't see a thing. I'm going to get it close and see what the alignment guy says. Thanks to all - Ross