Steering all over the place

[EMCD]

I just got my '72 cuda on the road after 10 years sitting. It runs and shifts ok, but the front end has a ton of play. I bet i can make 1/8th turn before the tires move. The 10 year old tires on currently on it, so that may be a big part of the issue. I'm getting new tires this weekend. Any suggestion on tires and if the car is still lose, how I can correct the vague steering?

[dodj]

Start with checking the play in the steering coupling. A common source of play.

[Bullitt-]

Possibly the sector shaft needs adjustment....here is a good description

You have to adjust the worm gear preload first, then the sector shaft. Disconnect the pitman arm before making adjustments. Loosen the sector shaft adjustment lock nut, loosen the set screw so the sector shaft has no affect on worm gear preload measurements. Loosen the big (!) locknut on the worm gear preload nut (if it's caked with dirt etc. clean the threaded areas up first, it will make adjusting easier later) Then using a spanner (similar to what you use to set the bearing preload on an 8 3/4 differential case bearings) to adjust the preload on the worm gear bearings. The range is 1 1/4 to 3 inch lbs rotating (continuous torque as the input shaft is spun. Once the preload is in range, tighten the locknut while holding the adjuster to maintain the setting. Then you want to adjust the sector shaft setscrew to bring the total to 8 1/4 - 11 1/4 inch lbs of rotating torque required as the box moves through the center position

Bottom line tighten till it feels snug then back off a bit, if there is resistance back off more.

[72rtchallenger]

while getting the tires have the front end aligned this will tell you of the other parts like tie rods and ball joints are ok or if they need replaced,,and adjust your sector shaft as suggested and you should be good to go

[footin70rt]

Be sure to take a  close look at the upper control arm bushings, if they are the originals they are probably in need of replacement, a couple of mine were so bad that the sleeve in the bushing was shoved almost to the inside edge, so each time I turned the wheel the control arm moved. I replaced them about 7 years ago with polyurethane bushings, had it aligned and all is well.

[CHL2T]

Manual or power steering?
My cuda has manual steering and I too had massive play, looked while turning the wheel and found that ALL of the box bolts were loose, thereby causing extensive play.
Funny, my Cuda also sat for ten years 

[cwestra]

Start with checking the play in the steering coupling. A common source of play.

About how much play is acceptable at this connection point?

[dodj]

About how much play is acceptable at this connection point?

None. If you can see it or feel it, you have too much.

[cwestra]

None. If you can see it or feel it, you have too much.

Interesting.  I am just putting my steering box back in the car and did notice play there.  Maybe around .200" or so.  What actually wears out on them?  Is it the 2 metal blocks that are positioned on the steering shaft pin inside there or the housing itself?  Thanks.

[dodj]

Not sure which one wears, but they come as a complete kit. I don't think you can buy them seperately so I never really checked. It is possible to put the shoes in wrong and get significant play in the coupling. Did that once. 

[cwestra]

Not sure which one wears, but they come as a complete kit. I don't think you can buy them seperately so I never really checked. It is possible to put the shoes in wrong and get significant play in the coupling. Did that once. 

I'll have to check that out.  Maybe that's what happened.  Thanks.

[EMCD]

it's power steering.

[EMCD]

the upper and lower control arm bushing are shot along with the tie rod bushings. the shocks are cooked to. The quote to repalce them was fricken ridiculous.. something like 1.5k.

[LAA66]

 Did you loosen the two bolts or move the small housing (forgot the name) on top of the steering box?

[footin70rt]

Have you thought about doing the job yourself? The control arms are not that hard to remove, and then once out you can either press out the bushings (if you have access to the tools) or take just the control arms to a shop that has the tools and have them just replace the bushings. You can even check with some of the parts stores and they might know of someone that will do it on the side for even less, just a thought.