73stroked duster
Well-Known Member
1972 duster. Steering is very sloppy. Replaced both arms. The rest of the linkage seems to be ok. Would the problem be the steering gear?
Sloppy steering
- Thread starter 73stroked duster
- Start date
scatpackbee
Well-Known Member
Power or manual steering?
Nature of the beast if your used to rack and pinion.
Have someone e turn the wheel back and forth. You get under with a flashlight and look for movement.
When you say replaced both arms do you mean idler and steering?
Have someone e turn the wheel back and forth. You get under with a flashlight and look for movement.
When you say replaced both arms do you mean idler and steering?
Could be. Just a little slop in the sector can translate into a lot of slop at the wheel. Its almost undetectable with the eye.
Jack one wheel off the ground.
Grab it at the 12 and 6 position. If there is play, observe the hub and you'll see if its the wheel bearings.
Then go to the 9 and 3 o'clock position. Turn the wheel and see what in the steering linkage moves together and where something is loose.
Its a little awkward but doable. Or get a buddy. Do not go under without a jack stand of course.
Do the same on the other side.
This is how you'll find what's worn or loose.
Grab it at the 12 and 6 position. If there is play, observe the hub and you'll see if its the wheel bearings.
Then go to the 9 and 3 o'clock position. Turn the wheel and see what in the steering linkage moves together and where something is loose.
Its a little awkward but doable. Or get a buddy. Do not go under without a jack stand of course.
Do the same on the other side.
This is how you'll find what's worn or loose.
Scamp Rhonda
Well-Known Member
How are your ball joints?
Gr8polarbear
Well-Known Member
If everything else is fine. Could be the gears in the box are worn and you can turn the adjuster bolt on the steering box.
Install a Borgeson box, you’ll be glad you did. Home - Bergman Auto Craft - Home of Quality Muscle Car Parts
67Dart273
Well-Known Member
What does "seems to be ok" mean?
I recommend you go through it systematically. Get a friend. Have him move the wheel back and forth. Start at the column and work your way down. EG look at the column shaft, the coupler and the steering shaft of the box. Is there any play between the column and the coupler? Between the shaft and the box shaft? HOW ABOUT IS the box loose on the K member?
Check the play between pitman shaft and steering shaft, rotational play, vertical play, and play in the bearing AKA radial play.
Check for movement at the ball in the pitman, look for vertical movement of the idler, and play in the tie rod ends
Then get out the shop manual and review how to check ball joints, and so on. Don't forget front wheel bearings, bolts loose on the spindles, wheel bolts and air pressure.
Also keep a wary jaundiced eye for breakage, rust, damage to the K member and frame mounts.
Check for play in the LCA pivots and so on
I recommend you go through it systematically. Get a friend. Have him move the wheel back and forth. Start at the column and work your way down. EG look at the column shaft, the coupler and the steering shaft of the box. Is there any play between the column and the coupler? Between the shaft and the box shaft? HOW ABOUT IS the box loose on the K member?
Check the play between pitman shaft and steering shaft, rotational play, vertical play, and play in the bearing AKA radial play.
Check for movement at the ball in the pitman, look for vertical movement of the idler, and play in the tie rod ends
Then get out the shop manual and review how to check ball joints, and so on. Don't forget front wheel bearings, bolts loose on the spindles, wheel bolts and air pressure.
Also keep a wary jaundiced eye for breakage, rust, damage to the K member and frame mounts.
Check for play in the LCA pivots and so on
If you replace the gear box, I would recommend getting a new or rebuilt unit...
You wouldn't want to replace it with an old worn out one and have sloppy seconds...
You wouldn't want to replace it with an old worn out one and have sloppy seconds...
The steering boxes weren't great from the factory when new. 50 years later, they terrible. When suggesting and adjustment on a factory box, nobody seems to do this properly. The first thing you are supposed to do is back off the sector lash. You must adjust the preload on the worm first. Once that is set, then you can adjust the lash with the sector.
Or, treat your self to modern, bolt in steering...Bergmanautocraft.com
Or, treat your self to modern, bolt in steering...Bergmanautocraft.com
68brcuda
Member
Hi, Per your diagram, this is the steering box, correct? Ive heard not to turn the screw or nut to much, which do you do first please, I rebuilt my front end with a PST kit, everything new. Still has some slack in the column turning the steering wheel, Please advise when you can, Thanks.
Gr8polarbear
Well-Known Member
Yes, you dont want to turn it to much. It is on the steering box. You will start off by loosening the nut then when you turn the screw in the center you will adjust it by 1/8 turns at a time. Adjust it then drive it a bit then adjust drive etc. Also, make sure you shaft is solid and not the problem before adjusting. Depending on how worn out the box is you may be able to get it better but not perfect.
You are supposed to back off the sector adjustment first. Set the lash on the worm gear, then readjust the sector.
Before spending a bunch of money-
check the toe.
Mine was almost 1/4" "out" and it felt like it was "sloppy".
Set it to 5/16" "in" (almost factory) and it drives like the whole front end got rebuilt.
$0
There are several ways to do it, but I built myself a sliding toe gauge from EMT conduit, square tube and angle stock because I know it will get used again. I believe I've got $6 in it because I had some stuff laying around.
check the toe.
Mine was almost 1/4" "out" and it felt like it was "sloppy".
Set it to 5/16" "in" (almost factory) and it drives like the whole front end got rebuilt.
$0
There are several ways to do it, but I built myself a sliding toe gauge from EMT conduit, square tube and angle stock because I know it will get used again. I believe I've got $6 in it because I had some stuff laying around.
