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Hey guys, I'm a 'newbie" here and a "newbie" Corvette owner. I bought my first last fall and had it in the garage all winter (I live in the northeast) Now I'm ready to take it out to play but I notice there is a lot of play in the steering which can be quite unnerving. When I turn the wheel there's a good 4 or 5 inches of movement before the car reacts. I'm not sure where to start. It's a 1972 454 coupe, 4 speed, with power steering. I've been told it's the steering valve, steering box, column shaft coupler, etc. Before diving in I just thought I'd ask if there's any "common" fixes for this. Thanks much!
Mario
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R
I'd check the RAG JOINT first,the coupler.I'd be afraid to drive it like that,It aint safe with that much play,then go from there bad steering box ,pitman arm ,Idler arm,tie rod ends,ball joints,it dont sound good
C3VR Lifetime Member #93
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C
If your power steering feels hard or it takes up as the play takes up, it could be the valve. CHOCK YOUR WHEELS! Then look under the car behind the drivers front wheel while the engine is running IN NEUTRAL and have someone wiggle the steering wheel. All you should see at the valve is a slight (like 1/16th or 1/8th of an inch) movement of the link that goes into the top of the valve before everything starts moving. Any more than that or any vertical movement would indicate the valve is worn. Any leaks would also indicate problems.
If the Pittman arm (the arm from the bottom of the steering box to the top of the valve) doesn't move (or has play) while the second person is moving the steering wheel, this would indicate the steering box has problems.
THE RAG JOINT is your first port of call though as has been said by others.
Chips58 2007-04-01 16:09:04
If you don't see any play in these areas, you may have tie rod or draglink or even ball joint problems. But look for the obvious first. It may be something simple and cheap to fix.
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Thanks guys, soon as I get a chance I'll try your suggestions and let you know what happens! Hey Chips58 didn't you respond to my sagging doors post which showed pictures of a blue convertible? PS read a travel book on Australia by Bill Bryson called "In a Sunburned Country" it was hilarious! I recommend it.
Mario
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C
Somewhere else on the site is an existing thread about adjusting the screw thingy on the steering box (if your box is the same) - it worked a treat for me, reduced 2-3 inches of slop to a nice safe almost nothing. (I was too scared to go all the way... 
Kiwi Chris
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in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling
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