What causes a steering wheel to "lag" or be "loose"?

[lemming303]

On my mom's car, when you drive it there is about 2 inches of play in the steering wheel. Meaning if you are veering slightly to the left side of the road and turn the wheel to the right to move back towards the right you have to move the wheel about 2 to 2.5 inches before it engages the wheels and begins to steer right. I would think that it would be the gearbox, but I don't know a whole lot yet so that's why I'm asking.

It's a 76 Ford Elite with power steering

[bb71challenger]

Probably just slop in the different steering parts. Once they get wore out you get free play and when you add it all up you get extra unwanted slop in the wheel. Best thing to do is get the front end up on jack stands and wiggle the tires. If they move back and forth real easy then its probably time to rebuild the front end and get it aligned.

[Katfish]

I had similiar problem, it went away when I replaced my steering box with a cop unit.  I later rebuilt the front-end 5yrs later and it helped also, but the steering box was the big factor for me.

[Bullitt-]

Probably there is some adjustment in the steering box, I don't know what platform a '76 Elite is, on this Torino box there appears to be a lock nut & adjustment like our Mopars.

[lemming303]

It is a Gran Torino Elite, a "luxury" version of the Gran Torino, although it's not what I consider luxury. I have no idea how to adjust a steering box. I will try jacking the car up and see if there is any play. I didn't think about worn out linkage or anything. I'll let you guys know what I find.

[Bullitt-]

You adjust the steering box by loosening the jamb nut, tighten the screw in the middle(not too tight) then tighten the jamb nut.

[Chryco Psycho]

the adjustment is simple to do as described above & will always help on a high milage car BUT when you do the adjustment the wheels have to be dead center as there is more play designed in at the ends to allow steering to return & adjusting it turned will cause it to bind in the center