Hard Steering

[Gerald C.]

I have a 1963 Roadster with manual steering. It has hard steering and I thought it was "normal" until I bought a 1967 with manual steering and what a difference. The 1967 turns so much easier

My 1963 was badly hit in the front years ago. I've owned the car for three years.

About a year ago I took the cluster out and of course took out the steering shaft.

When I re assembled everything, the shaft did not go right into the coupling so the alignment (or lack of) doesn't allow an easy entry into the coupling.

My question is: Is there an adjustment that would allow me to align the shaft with the coupling by moving the steering column about 1/2 inch to the right? This will allow the lower end of the shaft to line up better.

I'm assuming this is my issue for the "hard steering"

Thanks,

jerry

[Timothy B.]

Re: Hard Steering

Jerry,

Is the tie rod/steering arm position in the back hole for manual steering..

[Gerald C.]

Re: Hard Steering

Tim,

Not sure. I'll look when I get home tonight.

Thanks

[Bill W.]

Re: Hard Steering

[quote=Gerald Coia (11656);499290]I have a 1963 Roadster with manual steering. It has hard steering and I thought it was "normal" until I bought a 1967 with manual steering and what a difference. The 1967 turns so much easier

My 1963 was badly hit in the front years ago. I've owned the car for three years.

About a year ago I took the cluster out and of course took out the steering shaft.

When I re assembled everything, the shaft did not go right into the coupling so the alignment (or lack of) doesn't allow an easy entry into the coupling.
My question is: Is there an adjustment that would allow me to align the shaft with the coupling by moving the steering column about 1/2 inch to the right? This will allow the lower end of the shaft to line up better.

I'm assuming this is my issue for the "hard steering"

Thanks,

Jerry,
Could your frame be bent in the area of the steering box? Bill

[Gerald C.]

Re: Hard Steering

Bill,

The frame could very well be bent. Can I bring the car to a frame straightening shop with the body on to straighten the frame?
Jerry

[Terry M.]

Re: Hard Steering

Bill,

The frame could very well be bent. Can I bring the car to a frame straightening shop with the body on to straighten the frame?
Jerry

Yes, it is actually best to straightent he frame with the body on it.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Hard Steering

My 63 steers like a truck - Mack truck to be exact. Mine has been set up for quick ratio like Tim eludes to, and I expect it to. Seems like the first thing to check to me.

Stu Fox

[Joel T.]

Re: Hard Steering

Jerry;

What tires do you have on the '63? My '63 wears radials while my '65 has a set of repro bias plys.. Both cars have manual steering. The radials are more difficult to turn.

When you talk about steering column alignment, how much miss-alignment are we talking about? The other stuff mentioned not withstanding, I do not think that a slightly out of line column would be the source of your problem. You might lift the front end off the floor and turn the steering wheel.. You should be able to move it lock to lock with one finger....

Joel

[Paul Y.]

Re: Hard Steering

Gerald, I have had customers with the same symptom and I found that the steering box was getting dry from lack of lubricant. I would check the box for lubricant and add as needed first. It may have been neglected for a long time. Be sure that the operation is smooth and tight after adding the lubricant.

[Gerald C.]

Re: Hard Steering

To all:

Lubricant seems full. It looks like wheel bearing grease when I put the bolt out. Should it be that thick???? Is this easy to cleanout if it is too thick?

The steering column is off about 1/2" going into the coupling.

The tie rod ends are in the rear hole. The only hole that's available!

I'm bringing it to frame straightening shop in about a week to have the look at it.

Thanks so far for your comments.

Jerry

[John H.]

Re: Hard Steering

The tie rod ends are in the rear hole. The only hole that's available!

Jerry -

If you only have one hole in the steering arm for the outer tie rod end, that could be part of your problem; all midyears had TWO tie rod end holes in the steering arms - the forward one for power steering, the rearward one for manual steering (look closely at photo below).

[Stuart F.]

Re: Hard Steering

John;

That brings up a point about which I don't recall how it came about that my 63 was adjusted in the forward holes for "quick ratio" steering. I know I didn't do it or have it done, and I don't see anything on my original paper work or window sticker as an option. Mine was ordered with the J65A Metallic Brakes. Would/could that have been done as part of that option?
The car has always been set up that way since day one, to the best of my knowledge. However, it was kept for me by a buddy while I was in SEA and he was an SCCA member, sooooo. But if he had it changed, I can't recall his ever telling me. It has always steered like a "Mack Truck" and stopped even worse. It was never "female friendly".

Stu Fox

[Joel T.]

Re: Hard Steering

To all:

Lubricant seems full. It looks like wheel bearing grease when I put the bolt out. Should it be that thick???? Is this easy to cleanout if it is too thick?

The steering column is off about 1/2" going into the coupling.

The tie rod ends are in the rear hole. The only hole that's available!

I'm bringing it to frame straightening shop in about a week to have the look at it.

Thanks so far for your comments.

Jerry

Jerry;

Hmmm 1/2 inch seems excessive. If you have the time and inclination, jack the front up at the cross member to get the wheels off the floor and see how much effort it takes to turn the wheels side to side... Should be easy regardless of which hole the tie rod is in... If it is not easy (like the one finger on the steering wheel I mentioned before) you have some binding in the actual mechanism itself. If it is easy then we are probably talking tires and as mentioned which hole the tie rods are in...

If with the wheels off the ground it is hard to turn then you can start disconnecting things to find out where the binding resides.. I would start with one tie rod and work my way around. It will take you some time but you should be able to eliminate things.

Hope this helps, Joel

[Jack H.]

Re: Hard Steering

The front holes would have been used on a PS optioned car. Sometimes parts for repair/restoration are 'borrowed' from other vehicles and the mechanic does a 'monkey see/monkey do' installation...

[John H.]

Re: Hard Steering

John;

That brings up a point about which I don't recall how it came about that my 63 was adjusted in the forward holes for "quick ratio" steering. I know I didn't do it or have it done, and I don't see anything on my original paper work or window sticker as an option. Mine was ordered with the J65A Metallic Brakes. Would/could that have been done as part of that option?
The car has always been set up that way since day one, to the best of my knowledge. However, it was kept for me by a buddy while I was in SEA and he was an SCCA member, sooooo. But if he had it changed, I can't recall his ever telling me. It has always steered like a "Mack Truck" and stopped even worse. It was never "female friendly".

Stu Fox

Stu -

Manual steering cars left St. Louis with the tie rod ends in the rear holes, but it only took a few minutes and a minor toe-in adjustment to swap them into the forward holes for "faster" steering (which increased steering effort). J65 brakes didn't affect the tie rod positions - only power steering moved them.