C1 Steering adjustment

[Ron R.]

Just finished searching the archives and looking over the service guide and I'm a little confused. My freshly restored 61 has way too much "play" in the steering wheel before the wheels start to turn. There is about 2 hours(wow, sounds like a long time, huh?) of no resistance as I turn the steering wheel before the road wheels turn. After that, the car drives "tight" without wheel wobble.
To correct this "slop", is it the large end nut that I tighten with the wheels ON the ground, or, the side preload with the wheels OFF the ground?
Thanks,
Ron

[Rob M.]

Re: C1 Steering adjustment

I think it is the first of your options you need to adjust... Loosen the ring and then tighten the nut and then tighten the ring.

greetings,
Rob.

[Mike E.]

Re: C1 Steering adjustment

ST-12 (53-62 service manual has a very clear section on sequence, specs, etc. Very helpful!

[Pierre J.]

Re: C1 Steering adjustment

Just finished searching the archives and looking over the service guide and I'm a little confused. My freshly restored 61 has way too much "play" in the steering wheel before the wheels start to turn. There is about 2 hours(wow, sounds like a long time, huh?) of no resistance as I turn the steering wheel before the road wheels turn. After that, the car drives "tight" without wheel wobble.
To correct this "slop", is it the large end nut that I tighten with the wheels ON the ground, or, the side preload with the wheels OFF the ground?
Thanks,
Ron

I would check the tie rod ends before touching the steering box.
Pierre (34410)

[John H.]

Re: C1 Steering adjustment

You can do significant damage to some VERY expen$ive parts (like the wormshaft and sector roller) by "fiddling" with the bearing adjusters until it "feels better".

As Mike noted, there's a very detailed procedure beginning on page 9-2 in the ST-12 for high-point centering and properly adjusting the steering gear, AFTER removing the drag link. Doing it any other way is not a good idea.

[Joseph C.]

Re: C1 Steering adjustment

Dear Ron, I read your question on your steering column having too much play. Since I rebuild a lot of C-1 steering gear boxes, I am happy to assist. John Hinkley mentioned that damage could occur by incorrectly trying to adjust the gear box, and I couldn't agree more. If the steering gear box was overhauled prior to you installing it, it is likely that there is another cause of the play. The C-1 steering system is a precision system designed to operate satisfactorily without power assist. If everything is installed and adjusted as it was designed, you will be amazed at the ease of operation you will experience. One key element is that all of the steering components are designed to operate in unison, with each one being set properly at the STRAIGHT AHEAD POSITION at the same time. This means that, starting with the steering wheel, each is in the straight ahead position in order: steering wheel, steering shaft/worm gear, sector roller/shaft, Pittman arm, drag link, third arm, tie rods, steering arms, spindles, wheels and tires. With all of these properly adjusted and straight ahead, you will achieve excellent results, but, if any are deficient, a loss of efficiency will result. It would take too much space to outline all of the necessary information here, but, if you would like to talk to me personally, please feel free to call. I don't know if it is permissible to leave my phone number here, but you can email if you choose. Joe Calcagno joe@rarecorvettes.com