Loose steering

[GaryKephart]

I need some input please. The steering in my 70 Dart has some play in it. Everything is new except torsion bars. Just back from the frontend shop. The mechanic noted the play and pointed a finger at the steering gear which is also new. He didn't adjust it. Should that need to be adjusted if brand new? I also noticed some vertical play in the idler arm at the pivot. I had my son work the steering quickly across the dead spot and could see the idler arm move up and down the bolt, that doesn't seem right to me. Should there be spacers on the top an bottom? Any thoughts?

Thanks
Gary

 

[oldkimmer]

...........Theres no spacer, but u should be able to tighten the bolt somemore to take out the slack........the box shouldnt need adjusting......kim.........

 

[HotLines]

the play could be coming from the steering coupler,that's the little box above the steering box on the shaft, the fix is somewhat simple and fairly cheap

 

[alsdemon]

power or manual some may say it,s not right but i use greese in my manual box and seems to help a lot. a new box may need to be adjusted. or if it,s a rebuild unit for sure.my box is still o/e and has never been off my car .

 

[6pk2goDemon]

The center link needs to be level, so space the distance accordingly. JMO

 

[GaryKephart]

It has a flaming river adapter, no coupler. It's a manual box. I see the shaft move as soon as the wheel is moved. The idler arm has a plate above and below that the bolt goes through, it only tightens so far. When quickly moved you hear a clunk and can see it travel(idler arm) until it contacts the upper plate, should it move vertically at all? The centerlink appears level at rest, the idler arm is resting against the lower plate.

 

[6pk2goDemon]

The idler arm part that is mounted to the X-member should not move up and down. Most idler arms come with washers/spacers to fill the gap.

This crap is really hard to decipher on the net.....LOL

 

[alsdemon]

pic,s we need steering ****.some reson i thought there was washers in there some where?

 

[GaryKephart]

It didn't help the thing was a total basketcase when I got it. Some pics would be great. The idler arm came with nothing else. I posted some pics in an album on the site. One has part of the front end shown.