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"play" in steering of '76 vette

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"play" in steering of '76 vette

Posted: 11/13/06 4:53pmMessage 1 of 10
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Hilliard, OH - USA
Joined: 11/2/2006
Posts: 23
Vette(s): 1976 Corvette, originally dark green, currently black with grey cloth interior. Very nice shape!
This isn't anything major, but my '76 vette has a little bit of play to it with regard to steering. You can go about 1 inch left and right of center (with the steering wheel) and the wheels won't move. If you move it a little bit more, the wheels will turn.

I've heard that this is normal with these cars....

Any ideas?

Thanks!
Brian
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"play" in steering of '76 vette

Posted: 11/13/06 5:08pmMessage 2 of 10
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williamston, NC - USA
Joined: 1/19/2006
Posts: 353
Vette(s): 1969 coupe, 350, m22 trans, ac, black on black,
 could be tie rod ends., or could be you need to adjst the steering worm gear,,rd
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"play" in steering of '76 vette

Posted: 11/13/06 9:06pmMessage 3 of 10
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 22720
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
"Normal" with "THESE" cars?!?!
Whaddaya tryin ta say there, Brian?! Maybe normal if it's worn out, but otherwise, not!

Check the "rag-joint" first. It's the first thing to give up the ghost in the steering. The rag-joint is at the bottom of the column, where it attatches to the gearbox. They tear quite often, and will create just about and inch or so of "free play" in the wheel. I'd start there...

Joel Adams
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"play" in steering of '76 vette

Posted: 11/14/06 5:06pmMessage 4 of 10
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BINGHAMTON, NY - USA
Joined: 7/19/2003
Posts: 3825
Vette(s): ......
These are High Performance,Race Ready machines,Solid as a rock WackoAin't nothin normal about our cars,or US for that matterLOL Ifin it aint the rag joint,check the Pitman arm ,thats the arm that comes off the bottom of the steering box,see if it has any play in it,also idler arm,and like Joel said ,tie rod endsThumbs%20UpRon 782006-11-14 17:11:41

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"play" in steering of '76 vette

Posted: 11/23/06 8:16pmMessage 5 of 10
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CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH - USA
Joined: 12/2/2003
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Vette(s): 1975 C3 Red, T-Tops, Black Interior. All I need is time and money! Getting there!
Actually any  loose parts in the front end can cause this.  Don't forget to check all the bushings.
A worn power steering control valve can also cause the play.
 
When new, these cars did NOT have the play.
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"play" in steering of '76 vette

Posted: 12/11/06 12:04pmMessage 6 of 10
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Gloucester, VA - USA
Joined: 1/29/2005
Posts: 1456
Vette(s): 1979 T-Top, Metallic Green ZZ4 350/355 hp 405 ft/lbs torque Dual Spal Fans 700R4 4 Spd O/D Transmission 2004 Z06 Commemorative Edition
How can the pitman arm have play in it? I mean, how will it be visual??

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"play" in steering of '76 vette

Posted: 12/11/06 3:18pmMessage 7 of 10
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BINGHAMTON, NY - USA
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I meant too say'that ball joint at the end of the Pitman Arm ,sorryEmbarrassed,good catch JimThumbs%20Up

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"play" in steering of '76 vette

Posted: 12/11/06 3:47pmMessage 8 of 10
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Gloucester, VA - USA
Joined: 1/29/2005
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Vette(s): 1979 T-Top, Metallic Green ZZ4 350/355 hp 405 ft/lbs torque Dual Spal Fans 700R4 4 Spd O/D Transmission 2004 Z06 Commemorative Edition

 Reason I asked...replaced my steering box and rag joint...took it for a ride today and hit a bump and had to fight the car into it's lane. Car also seemed to want to wander.

 My thought was that maybe I need to adjust the worm screw adjustment tighter but your comment threw me off.

 Any ideas, I mean all I did was replace the components by the steering box

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"play" in steering of '76 vette

Posted: 12/13/06 3:28pmMessage 9 of 10
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Gloucester, VA - USA
Joined: 1/29/2005
Posts: 1456
Vette(s): 1979 T-Top, Metallic Green ZZ4 350/355 hp 405 ft/lbs torque Dual Spal Fans 700R4 4 Spd O/D Transmission 2004 Z06 Commemorative Edition
Anyone?

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"play" in steering of '76 vette

Posted: 12/13/06 6:14pmMessage 10 of 10
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Alice Springs, Australia
Joined: 5/6/2004
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Vette(s): 71 Coupe Black on Black

A wheel alignment at a reputable garage will let you know if it's anything serious.  The wheel alignment won't hurt either.  While you're at it get the back end done as well.  Most people forget to have the back done on Vettes and it will ensure your tyres wear correctly.

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