1963 belevdere manual steering lots of "slop"in steering

[KyleN]

like the title says there seems to be lots of slop in steering wheel, i can turn the wheel 6inches side to side and nothing.

any suggestions ? I assume it is the steering box but if I replace it I wanted to upgrade it is there and where that sells a better steering box?

 

[threewood]

Are you sure all the play is in the steering box? Worn tie rods or pitman arm / idler arm will cause play. There is an adjustment procedure, should be in the repair manual. I rebuilt mine (62 Belvedere) last year and it was pretty straight forward. Ordered the parts from FirmFeel and I believe they have complete boxes as well.

 

[KyleN]

Are you sure all the play is in the steering box? Worn tie rods or pitman arm / idler arm will cause play. There is an adjustment procedure, should be in the repair manual. I rebuilt mine (62 Belvedere) last year and it was pretty straight forward. Ordered the parts from FirmFeel and I believe they have complete boxes as well.

I dont think so because the steering wheel is really loose just sitting not moving anywhere it feels as though it is in the steering column? which I assume is the box ?

 

[KyleN]

I just had a friend take a look at it and this is whats going on,

You can move the steering wheel 3" left and right really easy and you can see the steering shaft moving all the way to the box but the wheels are not moving at all.

so I believe it needs a new steering box but would like some conformation .

 

[NCC1968]

If you have motion going in and none coming out............the box is at least part of the problem.

You can lift the front and move the wheels by hand and watch the at the box output.

Now you know if it is just the box or the box and then some.

 

[KyleN]

I know every thing else is tight because the entire front end was changed about 7000kms ago and yeah there could be a little bit of play but not like what im feeling!

I was kind of wondering if it could be loose where the steering shaft connects to the steering box, This is my first time working on a older mopar my backround is more GM so i was wodering if there was some weird mopar thing that i missed ?

 

[kjalltrac]

You can adjust the preload in the steering box, they often get worn in the middle.
Jack up the front, turn the wheels almost as far at one direction you can, wiggle the steering wheel and look if there is more movement at the tire then if the wheels are centered. If soo, adjust the steering box ( with the wheels centered) until you feel a little resistance at the steering wheel (often at the far end of steering), then lose the adjuster just a little bit.
And If you rebuild it, make sure you use oil, NOT grease in the box. The grease will destroy the seals sooner or later.
That's about the best you can do, without rebuilding the box with a new worm and sprocket.

 

[KyleN]

here is a video of me moving the wheel back and forth the tires are not moving
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1BzhVlciB0&feature=youtu.be

 

[kjalltrac]

Man, thats alot more than just normal wear.

 

[Black63]

Park the car on the ground and level.
Get someone inside to turn the wheel back and forth and then lie on the ground with a flashlight and inspect every joint under the car inc the ball joints.
Making the assumption it MUST be the box alone is a great way to waste money IMHO.
I'm not saying it isn't the box...but whats it gonna cost to just look before you jump!?!?

Blind assumption is a poor replacement for actual diagnosis.

 

[KyleN]

Little bit of play in the ball joints but nothing to be concerned with everything else is tight !