Steering problem

I have had a problem with my speedster's steering and can't seem to nail down the problem. When I turn the wheel left the steering seems to be a bit unresponsive. This is magnified at high speeds. There seems to be a blank spot in the steering then as I continue to turn the wheel, it finally catches and begins to turn. It just started doing this a couple of months ago. It is just when turning left.
So, I replaced the steering box, steering dampener, ball joints, tie rods, and have had a 4 wheel alignment done. It is a little better, but the problem is still there. I have also checked all the beam mounting bolts for tightness, and added a second set of caster shims.
Anyone have a similar issue or suggestions for fixing this?

What grade/kind of oil did you fill the new box with? Is it a TRW or one of the "off shore" replacements? New or re-manufactured? When you replaced the steering link did you open it up and slide it on, or hammer it down until it seated? Any untoward scraping or chafing going on with the steering wheel/shaft/column or front end?

Most likely a problem with the new box if it's a consistent flat/dead spot, nothing's a miss with the remaining steering components, nothing's loose, and nothing is rubbing/binding with the tie rods.

A final check would be the adjuster on top. Did you check that after installing the box? It might have been shipped tight. Loosen the locking nut and take a quarter/half turn off of the adjusted. See if it helps.


Luck!

TC

I'd check the steering column coupler. It's splined and has a notch for the bolt to go thru and keep it from turning.

Robert.....I recently replaced my steering box, and developed almost the same problem....As stated earlier, check ALL nuts and bolts for tightness....My problem was at the pittman arm. (steering box output shaft to tie rods) The clamp bolt was properly torqued, but the clamp was not tight....After chasing this for a week, I put the car on blocks and started retorquing every thing....Guess what, I got almost another whole turn on that clamp bolt....After applying breaker bar and 3 ft. of pipe, the problem is no more.....

If you have a new box, don't worry with the adjusting screw on the box....I would check the grease level as the factory is rather stingy in this area....Remove top and bottom plastic plugs, using a grease gun, top off with grade "00" or "0" or even "1" grease...Pump grease into the bottom hole until lube emerges from the top hole, replace plugs and you are done....I thread a #10 or 12 sheet metal screw into the plastic plugs, stopping short of breaking through the bottom, and use pliers to remove the plug/screw.....Workable replacement plugs should be available at Home Despot, or your Ace hardware...

Good luck....

"When you replaced the steering link did you open it up and slide it on, or hammer it down until it seated?"

Oooopppsss . . . my bad. I meant to say Pittman Arm not steering link.

Do as Leon says!

It could be the front beam adjuster. If you back it out too much to achieve the desired drop. The bolt on the adjuster may not be sitting firmly in the torsion dimple. Thus the entire torsion is sliding side to side. Try tightening up the adjuster bolt and take a test drive.

Thanks Ben,

You were right on target. The adjuster bolt was backed way out.

I tightened it up and all my steering issues were gone.

Thanks for your advice. I really appreciate it.

You're the man!


-Bobsled

In reviewing this thread . . .

All those possibilities of failure from factory components (and they are all very real possibilities on these old cars), and the culprit is - the guy who bolted up the front beam.

Makes ya wonder about some of the other nuts and bolts? Ain't handbuilt cars fun? And the adventure continues . . .

Sounds like me putting the wrong set of trailing arm bushings in 15 years ago and then living with a weird-feeling front end ever since...

gn

Each speedster project I've aquired has it's own list of mechanical safety horrors. I wonder how people don't kill themselves and or the people around them.

Glad to hear you fixed it. Now just have fun and drive

Over the past weekend,, I felt that my steering was becoming noticably looser. So I started checking the usual things,, front bearings, ball joints, connecting rods,, but found nothing. So I started reading related articles on our site here,, and began to suspect the steering box,, which was new, just last fall. I had it installed, during the safety inspection when I purchased the car, as I knew the old box was worn out. Nothing should have been worn inside, at this point,,, so I put a wrench on the pitman arm bolt and much to my surprise,, got a good 1/2 to 3/4 turn tighter. I also noticed that the hex on this bolt was a bit messed up,, so that tells me something about the install. Bottom line is,, that tightened up the steering considerably. A little bit of play in this critical connection is greatly amplified at the steering wheel,, and is felt as skitish bump steer. So this bolt, and the box mounting bolts should be checked from time to time.
Glad that I found this thread !!
Alan

you only have one adjuster in that beam. i bet your suspension is rock hard.

I also recently eliminated what I hope is the last glitch in my steering by tightening up the pitman arm bolt. I only got maybe 30 degrees or so or rotation out of the bolt, but the difference was amazing. Instead of an obvious slip-catch when making a sharp turn, the steering feels firmly connected, and always returns to the same point upon completion of the turn. It never felt unsafe before, just a kinda loose and creepy.