| Steering gear box discovery. [message #258413] |
Sun, 10 August 2014 18:24  |
skip2
Messages: 544
Registered: September 2011
Location: Winter Haven,FL (center o...
Karma: 3
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After 3 years of working on trying to get the beast to steer and go where I point it it finally all came together. I have replaced all steeering parts except column and ball joints, didn't have the symptons for them to be bad, did do tie rods, relay arm, idler arm, install adjustable drag link, and rebuilt gear box which helped alot just because of the slop in the old one but wasn't what I would call good. Came back from a camping trip and pulled the rebuilt gearbox and checked it over in the vise with an inch pound torgue wrench. Found it was a 4-1/4 turn box not 3-1/3 thats ok I'll just make sure and not bottom it out. What was the most interesting find was the center of stop to stop and the tight spot for straight ahead were both at 11 oclock about 15 degrees of of where it's suppose to be. Took pink nail polish, not mine, not my color, Marked the flat spot on the top of the box. Marked the flat spot in the u joint on the steering shaft so I could see when the box was on IT'S true straight. Put it all back together, set due north with the pink spots at 11 oclock and it is like someone threw the proverbial switch, It is night and day difference. My math says that 11 oclock is 15 degres which is 5 degrees out off where the sweet spot is suppose to be. Don't want to stir up anything but has anyone else ever found the center to not be at the flat spot parallel with the machine surfaces, Come to think of it gear box I took off had the center spot off to one side. Yes, I can live with the wheel turned to one side it actually makes it easy to hold the wheel with the left hand. It's always been a rocket sled on wheels but now I can steer it.
Skip Hartline
74 Canyon Lands, FiTech,
3.7 FD LSD, Manny Tranny,
Springfield Distributor,
2001 Chevy Tracker Ragtop Towd
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| Re: Steering gear box discovery. [message #258461 is a reply to message #258413] |
Mon, 11 August 2014 00:29  |
Bullitthead
Messages: 1411
Registered: November 2013
Karma: 5
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Alex Ferrara did some 'splainin' on the steering box alignment over on the Facebook forum pages a few weeks ago...thought the angle of that flat was explained also...
Terry Kelpien
ASE Master Technician
73 Glacier 260
Smithfield, Va.
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| Re: Steering gear box discovery. [message #258468 is a reply to message #258413] |
Mon, 11 August 2014 06:15 |
skip2
Messages: 544
Registered: September 2011
Location: Winter Haven,FL (center o...
Karma: 3
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I stand corrected, must be cranial flatulence. Sometimes in my world the clock is only 180 degrees. That 30 degrees made it even more out of wack.
All I know is it finally is a pleasure to drive, no more "E" ticket for me except going through the construction on 275 in Tampa. If know what "E" ticket means your showing your age.
Skip Hartline
74 Canyon Lands, FiTech,
3.7 FD LSD, Manny Tranny,
Springfield Distributor,
2001 Chevy Tracker Ragtop Towd
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| Re: Steering gear box discovery. [message #258537 is a reply to message #258413] |
Mon, 11 August 2014 19:52 |
Gary Carlton
Messages: 59
Registered: February 2014
Karma: 0
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Getting to a neutral steering position has transformed my coach. Driving home from buying it, we had to have a constant correction (probably 15 degrees) to the left. No fun at any speeds and not trustworthy in corners. I'm thinking alignment, maybe worn ball joints or tie rods too. Turns out the right caliper had lost the lower mounting bolt and the caliper had rotated down and was machining through the disc carrier. Got probably halfway through I'm guessing.
New disc, new bolts and new bearings later the beast is driving great. No pull or shudder and tracks straight up to 70. Gotta find reasons to not let the wife drive it is so nice.
I do cringe at the thought of the caliper cutting deep enough that the disc came apart. Don't think that would have a happy ending.
Gary
'78 Royale, "Road Grub"
Bellingham, WA
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| Re: Steering gear box discovery. [message #258545 is a reply to message #258537] |
Mon, 11 August 2014 21:56 |
Keith V
Messages: 2337
Registered: March 2008
Location: Mounds View,MN
Karma: 0
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Gary Carlton wrote on Mon, 11 August 2014 19:52Getting to a neutral steering position has transformed my coach. Driving home from buying it, we had to have a constant correction (probably 15 degrees) to the left. No fun at any speeds and not trustworthy in corners. I'm thinking alignment, maybe worn ball joints or tie rods too. Turns out the right caliper had lost the lower mounting bolt and the caliper had rotated down and was machining through the disc carrier. Got probably halfway through I'm guessing.
New disc, new bolts and new bearings later the beast is driving great. No pull or shudder and tracks straight up to 70. Gotta find reasons to not let the wife drive it is so nice.
I do cringe at the thought of the caliper cutting deep enough that the disc came apart. Don't think that would have a happy ending.
Gary
wow thats terrible. But I have seen rotors that were worn down into the fins. I men one whole surface gone and the car was still going ( pickup truck actually ) so cars are amazingly tough..
also I second the on center steering fix, I was driving through construction zones on my last trip. Jersey wall on one side, Semi on the other, it was a non event. Like driving a car. steering has to be on center and ride height has to be right on.
No other choice
Keith Vasilakes
Mounds View. MN
75 ex Royale GMC
ask me about MicroLevel
Cell, 763-732-3419
My427v8@hotmail.com
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| Re: Steering gear box discovery. [message #258569 is a reply to message #258537] |
Tue, 12 August 2014 08:35 |
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Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
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Gary Carlton wrote on Mon, 11 August 2014 20:52<snip>
Gotta find reasons to not let the wife drive it is so nice.
Gary
Gary,
Don't...
Get:
An "As Seen On TV" table - it fits in front of the passenger seat,
A 12V supply or inverter for your laptop,
A wireless hotspot or the like,
A copy of Street Atlas with the GPS puck,
An insulated coffee cup.
Now let Dear Wife drive (mine loves it).
While, you navigate in real time and surf for stops to make the excursion more interesting.
You can switch off if you have a long pull. Mary does not like driving at night.
The thing I find I have to do is drive every so often. Things change. Like the lower clamp on the steering carden joint got loose. No Problem Really, but the steering was a lot better with that tight.
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
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