Variable Steering Play

[David B.]

When cruising in my '58, I've noticed that sometimes there's play in the steering wheel, but at other times it's nice and tight, no slop. Have any of you experienced this?

Sometimes when I'm parked with the wheels at an angle, there's a lot of play. I've read the threads on correcting the slop, but I'm wondering why I have slop sometimes and other times I don't.

Insights? Thanks.

Dave

[Jim S.]

Re: Variable Steering Play

I am more of an expert on the 1963-1982 steering systems but I am reasonably sure that the machining of the sector gear and rack in the first generation Corvette parts used the same philosophy. On center the gearset had a slight interference by design. Off center on either side there was a slight clearance condition between the gearset teeth. This allowed the steering system to seek its neutral spot back on center.

So if you turned the steering wheel off center with the car parked, you should actually be able to feel that slight clearance condition between the sector shaft and the rack. Do NOT try and eliminate that clearance condition because you could actually damage the gearset as the steering gear tried to return to the slight interference condition on center.

I do not have the turning torque specifications for the first generation steering gear.

Jim

[Bruce B.]

Re: Variable Steering Play

C1 steering is tight in the center and more clearence when off center to the left or the right.
Thats the way it works.

[David B.]

Re: Variable Steering Play

Thank you, guys. That answers my question.

Dave

[John H.]

Re: Variable Steering Play

Thank you, guys. That answers my question.

Dave

Dave -

Section 9 in your ST-12 manual explains this in great detail, including the importance of steering wheel alignment and "high-point centering", and includes the specs to measure steering wheel turning torque both on and off-center.

[David B.]

Re: Variable Steering Play

Thanks, John. I'll look that up. Lots to learn.

Dave