Yet Another Steering Wheel Alignment Issue - 69

[Michael C.]

I've read numerous posts about turning the steering wheel lock to lock and turning back 1/2 the total turns. However, when turning right, the pitman arm hits the power steering ram bracket (on the frame) about 1/4 turn before I reach the same number of turns as going left. Of course there is no adjustment in the placement of the bracket.


Months ago I had the gear box rebuilt. Before removal of the gear box I marked the shaft and the pitman arm. If I got this alignment off by one spline, would this be my problem? I'm 99% sure this is the correct box (5677849) as confirmed by Joe Lucia in an old post.


When I reinstalled the gear box, I replaced both sides of the steering shaft coupling. There is no flat on the gear box shaft, only on the steering shaft. I don't recall seeing an index mark on the end of the box shaft, but the pitman arm is pointed straight forward when the steering wheel is centered. The flat on the steering shaft is at 12 o'clock.


I'm hoping to avoid removing the coupling, but that will be the only way to look for a mark on the gear box shaft. I had no alignment related issues before repairing/replacing all front-end suspension components. I discovered this when preparing to reinstall my rebuilt steering linkage.

Maybe you folks can tell me what's up.


Thanks,
Mike

[Gary R.]

Re: Yet Another Steering Wheel Alignment Issue - 69

Mike,
The pitman arm splines don't allow for being off a spline. The arm only goes on in 4 positions, one every 90* so it sounds like your arm is correct.

What was done to the box, was the sector or worm replaced? Did the rebuilder mark the high lash, true center, and arm position? Textbook theory is the high lash and center should be the same, reality is they rarely were the same. Some are but many are not, so for best results the high lash should be at 12 o'clock and if not the center, as long as there are over 1.5 turns from that postion it will work, as the box never travels full lock to lock,

With that said where exactly is the arm hitting? can you post a picture?

[Michael C.]

Re: Yet Another Steering Wheel Alignment Issue - 69

Thanks Gary for the quick reply.

The rebuild was performed by Bair's Corvettes. All I know about the work is what is stated on their website:
Parts Included:
New Seals
New Bushings
New Bearings
New Races

Labor Included:
Clean & Inspect Parts
Install New Seals, Bushings, Bearings & Races

One of their techs did tell me that the gear box was generally in good shape.

BTW - The steering wheel goes 2 turns to the left and 1.75 turns to the right. Center spoke of the wheel at 6:00 o'clock at full left and 3:00 at full right.

Photo attached.
PitmanHit.jpg

[Gary R.]

Re: Yet Another Steering Wheel Alignment Issue - 69

Connect the linkage and it should cut the travel. The box will never go lock to lock in the car. You got a common rebuild, not bad, not the best, but also you don't know where the high lash is either.