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Author
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Topic: Adjusting steering box worm gear
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Gary
Gearhead Posts: 713
From: Sarasota, Fla. USA
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 11-27-2001 11:03 AM
   
Is there a spec. on how much play should be left in the steering wheel if at all? All my frontend parts are new, I also had the steering box re-built. Before adjusting anything I had an 1" free travel both ways at the steering wheel..humm? Hope who re-built it didn't just paint it and send it back! I then adjusted the screw at the box and was able to take all the play out, my concerns are adjusting to much. Car steers fine now and has no play driving it so was planning on leaving it as is, but should there be just alittle play at the wheel? Don't want to chase the wheel from drift because theres slop. Right now it is adjusted with just a hair of play @ the steering wheel parked. (Car was converted from PS to manual steering using adaptor steering link.
Thanks...
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Stang28965
Gearhead Posts: 368
From: Webster New York USA
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 11-27-2001 12:06 PM
Just tighten w/o a lot of force at all, then back off it maybe 1/4 to a 1/2 turn, and see how that feels. If its to tight it will bind up and then you will have some problems.
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franklin
Gearhead Posts: 128
From: VA
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 11-27-2001 05:47 PM
It should be adjusted for zero play and then a little bit beyond. The beyond thing is the sticky point, because you are supposed to adjust it till there is a certain amount of drag on the steering wheel. Some manufacturers have a procedure where you hook a thing to the rim of the steering wheel that looks like a scale you weigh fish with. It measures the drag as a certain poundage on the scale. If you are happy with it the way it is, leave it. If you get it too tight, you will find the wheel won't return to center properly.
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bluestreek
Gearhead Posts: 1060
From: Athens,GA
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 11-27-2001 08:14 PM
I like to adjust all the free play out of mine and then drive it around the block.. There is a sweet spot where there is no free play and the steering wheel will still go back to center by itself after making a turn.. Too tight, and it doesn't free wheel.
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Fastback68
Gearhead Posts: 1315
From: Sucat, Paranaque, Philippines
Registered: Jul 99
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posted 11-27-2001 09:59 PM
quote:
and the steering wheel will still go back to center by itself after making a turn.
I'm confused. What year Stangs are we talking about? The only thing I like about my '68 is that it DOESN'T have self-righting steering, or whatever it's called, like these modern cars. Is it supposed to??? If I turn a corner I have to straighten it up myself or I'll keep going round in circles.
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Gary
Gearhead Posts: 713
From: Sarasota, Fla. USA
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 11-27-2001 11:32 PM
Fastback68, sounds like you need a front alingment. Regurdless of the year car your wheel should return freely when coming out of a turn. That is if your front suspension is alinged right. I have mine just right now, no free play and smooth as glass  Im surprised that the car steers so easliey with the 528cid and manual steering.
(69 Mach 1)[This message has been edited by Gary (edited 11-27-2001).]
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Fastback68
Gearhead Posts: 1315
From: Sucat, Paranaque, Philippines
Registered: Jul 99
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posted 11-27-2001 11:48 PM
Gary, you've really got me scratching my head here and I wonder if we're talking at cross purposes. With some modern cars, if you take a corner and then let go of the steering wheel, it will spin through your hands, and in a flash you're straight again. I don't think there's anything wrong with my car 'cos it responds in the same way as every older car I've driven. I also have a vague memory of my Dad buying a new car in the '70s and self-correcting steering was an option. And I just went for a drive in my '68 Camaro (which has steering as sweet as most modern cars and is well aligned), and that doesn't straighten up automatically.
Hmmm. Does anyone know what I'm talking about ???
Simon
[This message has been edited by Fastback68 (edited 11-28-2001).]
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Greenstang
Gearhead Posts: 908
From: its all a fog..
Registered: May 2001
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posted 11-28-2001 08:00 PM
The wheel recentering itself is matter of front end geometry and the amount of positive caster the car is setup with. To be fair, I haven't plays with the adjustment of the my steering box, but I would lean towards caster haveinga bigger affect on the centering porpertuies of the wheel.FWIW I just swapped my original rag joint out for a poly one and it cured al lthep lay I had in my steering. Prior to this, I was ready to tear into the steering box.
Having seen pictures of Gary's car, I am sure a torn up old rag joint is not his problem though ------------------
Marcus?
Beating the competition is where the thrill is and that pride you get. It's an ego stroke ? to make no mistake."
-Mark Martin
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bluestreek
Gearhead Posts: 1060
From: Athens,GA
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 11-29-2001 08:54 PM
You can check just your steering box freeplay by turning the steering column under the hood and watch the movement on the arm coming off the steering box.. (The steering column should turn fairly easy) If you can turn the steering column and not see the arm moving, then you know that that there is "freeplay" in the gearbox. If there is no gearbox freeplay then you can check to see if the idler arm or any linkage bushings are tight by reaching through the window and turning the steering wheel and watch to see if the tires react with each movement of the wheel.. The tire should respond almost instantly to the steering wheel.. If you suspect any freeplay in your front end, then you can inspect each joint by laying under the car while having someone turn the wheel.. This can be done without the engine running..  Dan
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