67 Steering Question

[Mark F.]

Guys just completed a total rebuild of the entire suspension. ( actually whole car) Everything has been replaced or rebuilt. The problem (I think) is when turning a corner or driving, the car does not return to a "neutral" position. Meaning the steering does not return on its own. The car has PS, rebuilt steering box etc. Just had the car aligned (four wheel ), and when talking with the front end shop we supposedly set the alignment to return or correct better. Meaning very minor adjustment/ tweek. Actually, we set the specs acording to previously dicussed archives recomendations. The car tracks great and is tight on the road and cornering. My question is, is this normal for a bb car with power steering. I have heard that the steering charactersitics on these cars are "different" so is this correct?

*Side note the tie rods are in the forward hole on the steering knuckle.
Thanks Mark

[Richard M.]

Re: 67 Steering Question

I was told recently on a FEA done on a different make I own, that (forgot......)either caster or camber, one of those, will help return the steering wheel to center after a turn. I'm wondering why your alignment guy didn't know this.
Rich

[Rich P.]

Re: 67 Steering Question

Rich,

you are correct it's caster.

Rich

[Mark F.]

Re: 67 Steering Question

He did know. However, I was like you and couldn't remember if it was caster or camber either. Anyway he did adjust it to return better. That was the little adjustment/ tweek I was refering to. Basically the steering seams awfully tight. Could it be that the new parts have to break in. The car only has 200 hundred miles on since then. And like I said everything is new. It was a complete rebuild.

Thanks Mark

[Richard M.]

Re: 67 Steering Question

Hmmm, Here's what I would consider in your situation.

To eliminate if the "parts" are new and tight causing it, raise the front end and place jackstands just under the outer part of the lower control arms to simulate normal springing with tires off the ground. See how tight with engine off, then running with assist.

I think if tie rods are in forward position that's for PS. Rearward is STD steering. Our 63 coupe has PS and tie rods are in forward holes. Marks are there in rear holes before PO added PS.

Other things to think about.....correct tire air pressure, too low is harder on steering. Also if tires are much wider than stock this can also add drag. I just ran into this a while ago on a Jag E-Type with hard PS. Adding air to the correct pressure helped. The tires are wider than stock which makes the PS work harder.

Hope you find it.....
Rich

[Timothy B.]

Re: 67 Steering Question

Mark,

Adding caster will increase steering effort and the return to center will be better. Also, adding just a bit more on the passenger side will help with steering on roads because most are sloped 2% (1/4"/ft.) for drainage.

Moving to the quick steer holes in the arm with power steering causes more effort but the steering assist should help. Remember, it's only steering assist. Not like the power steering on today's cars..

[Brian M.]

Re: 67 Steering Question

Has the steering control valve been balanced?

[Mark F.]

Re: 67 Steering Question

Thanks for your input guys. Here is some more info. I have the standard size tires on it, but in radials, ( I believe there p205-70r15's). I do have the tie rods in the forward hole. Correct for ps. I have jacked the car up with no load on the suspension. The tire pressure is set at 35 psi. Manually, I have turned the wheels back and forth with the car jacked up. No load on suspension. Doesn't feel that bad. Expecting that it's pretty hard to turn against the ps cylinder. I aslo believed I have balanced the cylinder correctly according to shop manual. Could it be that it is just the power assist as suspected?


Mark

[Mark F.]

Re: 67 Steering Question

Guys just another added note. I get the tightness of the steering. But Its the returning of the steering, actually lack of, that bothers me.

[Michael W.]

Re: 67 Steering Question

Possibly the steering box itself has been incorrectly rebuilt. The little screw on the top gets overtightened on many boxes I have seen. Gary Ramadei had a nice demo unit at Carlisle this year showing how narrow the 'on center' tight spot should be.

[Mark F.]

Re: 67 Steering Question

Mike
I was thinking of the box too. However, I'm not familiar with the little screw you are talking about. Is it one of the two/ three screws on the cover, buy the "lube" bolt. Do you know if the boxes have a neutral position before setting the screw. I'm not clear because I didn't rebuild the box. But isn't there only one way to put the box in. From what I know is the rag joint screw goes on top.

thanks
Mark

[Timothy B.]

Re: 67 Steering Question

Mark,

Try a search in the archives because I know this topic has been covered and you may get your questions answered if the problem is in the steering box..

[Gary R.]

Re: 67 Steering Question

Mike
I was thinking of the box too. However, I'm not familiar with the little screw you are talking about. Is it one of the two/ three screws on the cover, buy the "lube" bolt. Do you know if the boxes have a neutral position before setting the screw. I'm not clear because I didn't rebuild the box. But isn't there only one way to put the box in. From what I know is the rag joint screw goes on top.

thanks
Mark

The screw is the lash screw in the cover. It located the mesh of the pitman shaft teeth to the rack teeth and many times is over adjusted resulting in worn gears. There is no neutral position but there is a center that is important to check and the best way to do this is to remove the box and check/set it with a 0-30 IN/LB DIAL TW. Now you say you have a rebuilt box, that could be good or bad. I've fixed many of the "rebuilt" boxes on the market and plenty are poorly done. You may want to look at the thread I have on DC, the last 2 "rebuilt" boxes I had in: 1 had welded teeth,the other was assembled with the rack upside down.
If the lash is too tight it will not return.

[Mark F.]

Re: 67 Steering Question

Thanks Gary, I will have to check this out. From looking over the car again, By eliminaton, I have to believe that there is something going on with the box. I will have to do another achives search.

Mark

[Gary R.]

Re: 67 Steering Question

This is the link I told you about,maybe it will help.

http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=76773