No more sloppy steering!

[EVIL72]

 Well after installing a smaller steering wheel so I'd have more leg room, I decided to adjust my steering box because it had a bit too much play.
 What a difference that made!! I guess it was looser than I thought because it drives so much better now, it's not even funny. Very responsive just how I like it. 

[Chryco Psycho]

 

[Blackcuda]

Well after installing a smaller steering wheel so I'd have more leg room, I decided to adjust my steering box because it had a bit too much play.
 What a difference that made!! I guess it was looser than I thought because it drives so much better now, it's not even funny. Very responsive just how I like it. 

How did you adjust it to get the play out? I have to do it to my cuda.
Thanks

[EVIL72]

 This isn't exactly text book, but I just centered the wheels, loosened the 5/8's jam nut on the steering box, then I tightened the allen head just until it started to feel a little snug. Then I tightened the jam nut and took the car for a spin. If the wheel has any tight spots just past center, or the steering feels strange back it off until it goes away. If it's still smooth turn to turn and it doesn't feel like it's starting to drag, then maybe try it just a tad tighter, just don't go overboard.

[Blackcuda]

This isn't exactly text book, but I just centered the wheels, loosened the 5/8's jam nut on the steering box, then I tightened the allen head just until it started to feel a little snug. Then I tightened the jam nut and took the car for a spin. If the wheel has any tight spots just past center, or the steering feels strange back it off until it goes away. If it's still smooth turn to turn and it doesn't feel like it's starting to drag, then maybe try it just a tad tighter, just don't go overboard.
I'll give it a try!
Thanks

[71fish]

Thanks.. good post. I'll have to re-adjust mine. I think it's too tight. I'll center the wheels and back it off some.

71fish

[R/T]

I had a guy at work tell me that his steering had too much play in it and I told him just what you have done to your car. He didn't belive me and took his truck to a garage , they adjusted the play out of his steering  exactly the way I had told him. It cost him $85.00, my advice was free.

[Chryco Psycho]

the trick is to do the adjustment with the wheels centered , if the wheels are not centered you can easily adjust too far & have it bind in the center

[ntstlgl1970]

Actually you are supposed to adjust the worm shaft preload (the input shaft where the coupler is on the steering box) before the sector shaft (the nut on top of the box you can see) If the shop did it right the $85 would be justified because it isn't that simple to do, especially on a P/S box.

[oldkimmer]

I have to agree with ntstlg1970. 85.00 bucks is a bargain if both adjustments were done, as u should really do this off the vehical, but anyone with lots of experiance can accomplish this on the vehical ,as I  have many times.

[MJS73]

They showed how to do this on a Corvette roadster ('62 or '63, I think) on one of those car shows on cable.  I think it was Classic Car Restoration, I don't think it was dream car garage.  Sorry this doesn't have more info, but if you see the Corvette roadster restoration listed on the program guide, you'll know what show it was.

Mike