Steering and alighnment questions

[rp23g7]

Is this the right place for this?

My Coronet has suddenly developed a strange issue. The steering suddenly has a lot of play in it.



Is your fluid or steering box effected by heat? It has been hot the last few days, and my headers are right next to the box.



I have been driving it a lot latey too, going to shows etc, freeway driving mostly, but i dont remember hitting a big bump, or at least one big enough to mess up my alighnment.



In just the last few days its got a lot of play in the steering. On the freeway, about a 8th of the sterring wheel, i have a Grant wheel, not stock.



I was going to a show Sunday, so on Sat night, i dressed the wheels, and coated the outside of the tread too to see if it wore funning going down the freeway.



It didnt seem to wear any different, it doesnt pull left or right, the wheel just seems sloppy. I looked at the tread this morning and the two front tires seem to be wearing the same.



the outer tread is wearing a bit more, probably due to the outer taking more abuse on a corner, but it looks even. I can post some pictures later. I could take it for a alighnmeent, but i am sure they will tell me my front end needs work etc, which i am going to do the winter.



I have seen posts where you can adjust the steering box, do you do this with the wheels on the ground or in the air?

 

[MarPar]

 

[HitIt]

Same thing happened to me shortly after getting my car together, sudden play in the wheel. On my car the bolts that hold the steering box to the frame had loosened up. Check those and put some loctite on them while you're down there.

 

[rp23g7]

Same thing happened to me shortly after getting my car together, sudden play in the wheel. On my car the bolts that hold the steering box to the frame had loosened up. Check those and put some loctite on them while you're down there.

Cool, thanks i will check them.

 

[66_B_Body4ever]

Steering box could be sloppy and require adjustment, tire rod's are shot and need replacing possibly, pitman/idler are toast...all of these could produce these symptoms. Tire wear on the inside or outside edge could indicate a toe issue which could mean a tie rod or two is worn...time for an overhaul, just did my 97, ctrl arm bushings,ball joints...the works. It's like driving a new truck.

 

[rp23g7]

loos like the answer to the question is the pitman arm, there is something on the center link end popping, and it has some slop in it, must have just been its time

 

[Cranky]

If your front end is original or has been awhile since being rebuilt, it may be a good idea to check it all including the steering coupler....

 

[rp23g7]

If your front end is original or has been awhile since being rebuilt, it may be a good idea to check it all including the steering coupler....

its been rebuilt, no telling when though, no zircs on any fittings, the previous owner also put the firm feel box on it.

 

[rp23g7]

Is everyone ready for this? I was under it tonight, looking for any places that may be shiny or anything. Felt the right rim, and it was baking hot, it was a stuck wheel cylinder.

 

[MarPar]

Is everyone ready for this? I was under it tonight, looking for any places that may be shiny or anything. Felt the right rim, and it was baking hot, it was a stuck wheel cylinder.

:head_smack: At least it was any thing major!! :grin:

 

[rp23g7]

true, stinkin wheel cylinder

 

[rp23g7]

so i replaced the front cylinders, go them from NAPA, but they were made in China, not much faith in them. I thought i had replaced front wheel cylinders on a late 60's B body, but i guess not, cause i would have remebered dealing with that bolt thats partially hidden behind that spindle. What engineers bright idea was that.

 

[dodge41969]

I'd swap to discs,it's easy and cheap to do.