How much play is too much?

[MitchDart]

Wondering if this is normal or not for a 64 Dart, manual steering. There’s a lot of play in the steering. Using the clock analogy, when driving straight I can move the wheel back and forth from almost 11 o’clock to 1 o’clock and not affect the steering/ direction.

It’s like some old timey movie where the car is going straight but they keep turning the wheel back and forth. Front suspension recently rebuilt and quite nice. It’s definitely in the steering box- question being if that’s normal or not.

Input much appreciated!

 

[RustyRatRod]

Nope that's way too much.

 

[MileHighDart]

Yeah that's a lot.

Have you tried adjusting the steering box?

 

[sireland67]

Climb under the car and see if a tie rod end happens to be loose.
Just rebuilt means alot of things depending on the quality of parts.
Alot of play will in the steering box will make any car drive like crap.
So will lower control are bushings, cracked K frame etc.

 

[sireland67]

Also check the steering coupler.

 

[pishta]

I went through this on my 65. Turns out when I was under there and buddy was turning wheel, the: steering box was loose, tie rods were soft, Idler arm was shot, and LBJ's wer bad. All this on a car that hadnt been driven for 25 years. Idler arm was biggest culprit as it was just deflecting up and down. Coupler was OK, tightened up steering box, changed bad joints and adjusted steering box. Loosen lock nut on top of box about 1/4 turn. Turn slotted screw CW while turning wheel back and forth over "high spot"at center travel. Youll feel wheel getting tighter. You dont want it too tight, once its where you like it, tighten lock nut.

 

[AJ/FormS]

As to the steering box adjustment; two hairs loose is better than one hair too tight.

 

[MitchDart]

I went through this on my 65. Turns out when I was under there and buddy was turning wheel, the: steering box was loose, tie rods were soft, Idler arm was shot, and LBJ's wer bad. All this on a car that hadnt been driven for 25 years. Idler arm was biggest culprit as it was just deflecting up and down. Coupler was OK, tightened up steering box, changed bad joints and adjusted steering box. Loosen lock nut on top of box about 1/4 turn. Turn slotted screw CW while turning wheel back and forth over "high spot"at center travel. Youll feel wheel getting tighter. You dont want it too tight, once its where you like it, tighten lock nut.

Thanks- I’ll the adjustment to the steering box, that sound like the most likely culprit.

 

[MitchDart]

Thanks!

 

[AJ/FormS]

Did you push his thank button?

 

[MitchDart]

Did you push his thank button?

Don’t know about “thank” buttons. Enlighten me… I would do it if I knew how.

 

[AJ/FormS]

Yeah I didnt notice that big button on the bottom right corner of the posting box either; for months. Sombody had to enlighten me too.

 

[6pk2goDemon]

Don’t know about “thank” buttons. Enlighten me… I would do it if I knew how.

No worries Mitch...You'll see the "Thanks" button after you get to 25 posts

 

[AJ/FormS]

OOps. Can I press it by proxy?

 

[MitchDart]

Looks like I've got 10, now 9 more posts to earn my "Thanks" button.

 

[AJ/FormS]

One line posts dont count.

Just kidding