Steering?

[mc83]

I rebuilt the whole suspension on my 81 Firebird, and when I drive down the road, there is play in the steering wheel.

There is probably a 1/8th - 1/4 turn before the wheels move.

I thought it would be a lot tighter.

I added a new rag joint steering box, center link tie rods, upper-lower control arms, and shocks.

Is there something I missed, or is this just normal for these cars?

 

[fortugpp]

Was the steering box new or rebuilt?

I did the same and ended up purchasing a Boregeson box.

It was excellent - you may want also to check the body mounts as I found that after replacing all of the suspension parts, including bushings, the car wandered, and it ended up being the body mounts as they were so worn and much flex.

Good luck!

 

[Munkyslut]

I’ve used some Borgeson boxes on Mopars; it's an excellent upgrade.??

 

[Uglybird]

Hey, @mc83, did you ever figure out the issue?

I’m experiencing the same thing.

 

[Hardkor455]

Has anyone tried adjusting the nut on top of the steering gear box?

There is a lock nut that needs to be loosened first, and then you can adjust the play.

Baby steps on adjustment.

If you go too far, the car will not go straight on the freeway, and you will always be trying to correct it at the steering wheel.

 

[chuckitall]

All good replies.

I have driven cars like that, and it turns out it was the rubber control arm bushings; you'd be surprised at the amount of slop worn bushings cause.

Ditto on Hardkor455's comment on the box adjustment, adjust a tiny bit at a time!!

If your gearbox is a "reman", chances are it wasn't reassembled/appropriately set.

Seen a lot of parts in my day that weren't correctly assembled.