Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » sloppy steering (loose road tracking)
| sloppy steering [message #360059] |
Tue, 10 November 2020 19:30  |
ktcnyc
Messages: 25
Registered: September 2020
Karma: -1
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Junior Member |
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Hello - I returned a few weeks ago from my very 1st trip in my 1977 Eleganza. Pretty nice time up to Maine and back to Pa via Rhode Island. The coach has had many owners and they all put a lot of care and new parts into it along the way. My main complaint is a loose steering road feel at highway speeds. A lot of 1970's steering corrections were required- not a very comfortable feel.
Is this just normal for a 1977 designed front end? Where might I look to firm things up?
Many Thanks for any suggestions.
KTC
Kevin Cloutier -'77 Eleganza II-455, 6 disk brakes, Edelbrock carb, headers, , resident of NYC and Dingmans Ferry, Pa.
'72 MGB-GT & '73 MGB convertible
Member GMCMI since 8/20
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| Re: [GMCnet] sloppy steering [message #360060 is a reply to message #360059] |
Tue, 10 November 2020 19:37  |
Bruce Hart
Messages: 1501
Registered: October 2011
Location: La Grange, Wyoming
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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A couple of things to look for:
Is your steering gear box on center
Are the cinch clamps tight
And play in the steering cv joint or slip shaft.
On Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 6:31 PM kcloutier--- via Gmclist <
gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:
> Hello - I returned a few weeks ago from my very 1st trip in my 1977
> Eleganza. Pretty nice time up to Maine and back to Pa via Rhode Island. The
> coach
> has had many owners and they all put a lot of care and new parts into it
> along the way. My main complaint is a loose steering road feel at highway
> speeds. A lot of 1970's steering corrections were required- not a very
> comfortable feel.
> Is this just normal for a 1977 designed front end? Where might I look to
> firm things up?
>
> Many Thanks for any suggestions.
>
> KTC
> --
> Kevin Cloutier -'77 Eleganza II-455, 6 disk brakes, Edelbrock carb,
> headers, , resident of NYC and Dingmans Ferry, Pa.
> '72 MGB-GT & '73 MGB convertible
> Member GMCMI since 8/20
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
--
Bruce Hart
1976 Palm Beach
Milliken, Co
GMC=Got More Class
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Bruce Hart
1976 Palm Beach
1977 28' Kingsley
La Grange, Wyoming
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| Re: [GMCnet] sloppy steering [message #360061 is a reply to message #360060] |
Tue, 10 November 2020 19:58 |
Bruce Hart
Messages: 1501
Registered: October 2011
Location: La Grange, Wyoming
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/steering-gear-box/p52883-set-steering-box-highpoint.html
On Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 6:37 PM Bruce Hart wrote:
> A couple of things to look for:
> Is your steering gear box on center
> Are the cinch clamps tight
> And play in the steering cv joint or slip shaft.
>
>
>
> On Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 6:31 PM kcloutier--- via Gmclist gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:
>
>> Hello - I returned a few weeks ago from my very 1st trip in my 1977
>> Eleganza. Pretty nice time up to Maine and back to Pa via Rhode Island. The
>> coach
>> has had many owners and they all put a lot of care and new parts into it
>> along the way. My main complaint is a loose steering road feel at highway
>> speeds. A lot of 1970's steering corrections were required- not a very
>> comfortable feel.
>> Is this just normal for a 1977 designed front end? Where might I look to
>> firm things up?
>>
>> Many Thanks for any suggestions.
>>
>> KTC
>> --
>> Kevin Cloutier -'77 Eleganza II-455, 6 disk brakes, Edelbrock carb,
>> headers, , resident of NYC and Dingmans Ferry, Pa.
>> '72 MGB-GT & '73 MGB convertible
>> Member GMCMI since 8/20
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>>
>
>
> --
> Bruce Hart
> 1976 Palm Beach
> Milliken, Co
> GMC=Got More Class
>
>
--
Bruce Hart
1976 Palm Beach
Milliken, Co
GMC=Got More Class
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Bruce Hart
1976 Palm Beach
1977 28' Kingsley
La Grange, Wyoming
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| Re: [GMCnet] sloppy steering [message #360062 is a reply to message #360059] |
Tue, 10 November 2020 20:12 |
mjbourgon
Messages: 259
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -1
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Senior Member |
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We had the same problem here in El Paso with our coaches. We replaced the steering box, no more problem
Marcel in El Paso
I Paso
Sent from my iPad
> On Nov 10, 2020, at 6:30 PM, kcloutier--- via Gmclist wrote:
>
> Hello - I returned a few weeks ago from my very 1st trip in my 1977 Eleganza. Pretty nice time up to Maine and back to Pa via Rhode Island. The coach
> has had many owners and they all put a lot of care and new parts into it along the way. My main complaint is a loose steering road feel at highway
> speeds. A lot of 1970's steering corrections were required- not a very comfortable feel.
> Is this just normal for a 1977 designed front end? Where might I look to firm things up?
>
> Many Thanks for any suggestions.
>
> KTC
> --
> Kevin Cloutier -'77 Eleganza II-455, 6 disk brakes, Edelbrock carb, headers, , resident of NYC and Dingmans Ferry, Pa.
> '72 MGB-GT & '73 MGB convertible
> Member GMCMI since 8/20
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
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| Re: [GMCnet] sloppy steering [message #360063 is a reply to message #360059] |
Tue, 10 November 2020 20:04 |
Marsh Wilkes
Messages: 155
Registered: January 2004
Karma: -3
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Senior Member |
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When everything is right it will drive like a car!
Getting there may be challenging, there are more variables than just about
any other vehicle.
I had a coach all new parts, aligned twice by Jim Bounds still did not drive
like I wanted. I had another one
worn loose front end, it drove much better with no attention.
You should get a lot of responses, this is an issue that has been given a
tremendous amount of attention over
the years on the Net.
Marsh Wilkes
Perry Fl
-----Original Message-----
From: kcloutier--- via Gmclist
Sent: Tuesday, November 10, 2020 8:30 PM
To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
Cc: kcloutier@nyc.rr.com
Subject: [GMCnet] sloppy steering
Hello - I returned a few weeks ago from my very 1st trip in my 1977
Eleganza. Pretty nice time up to Maine and back to Pa via Rhode Island. The
coach
has had many owners and they all put a lot of care and new parts into it
along the way. My main complaint is a loose steering road feel at highway
speeds. A lot of 1970's steering corrections were required- not a very
comfortable feel.
Is this just normal for a 1977 designed front end? Where might I look to
firm things up?
Many Thanks for any suggestions.
KTC
--
Kevin Cloutier -'77 Eleganza II-455, 6 disk brakes, Edelbrock carb, headers,
, resident of NYC and Dingmans Ferry, Pa.
'72 MGB-GT & '73 MGB convertible
Member GMCMI since 8/20
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
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| Re: [GMCnet] sloppy steering [message #360064 is a reply to message #360061] |
Tue, 10 November 2020 20:05 |
Bruce Hart
Messages: 1501
Registered: October 2011
Location: La Grange, Wyoming
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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Look over this entry into the forum.
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/1/#search/alex+ferrara/FMfcgxmTpLZkfJvRZNjTCCHmHkMDLqCW
On Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 6:58 PM Bruce Hart wrote:
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/steering-gear-box/p52883-set-steering-box-highpoint.html
>
> On Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 6:37 PM Bruce Hart wrote:
>
>> A couple of things to look for:
>> Is your steering gear box on center
>> Are the cinch clamps tight
>> And play in the steering cv joint or slip shaft.
>>
>>
>>
>> On Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 6:31 PM kcloutier--- via Gmclist > gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:
>>
>>> Hello - I returned a few weeks ago from my very 1st trip in my 1977
>>> Eleganza. Pretty nice time up to Maine and back to Pa via Rhode Island. The
>>> coach
>>> has had many owners and they all put a lot of care and new parts into it
>>> along the way. My main complaint is a loose steering road feel at highway
>>> speeds. A lot of 1970's steering corrections were required- not a very
>>> comfortable feel.
>>> Is this just normal for a 1977 designed front end? Where might I look
>>> to firm things up?
>>>
>>> Many Thanks for any suggestions.
>>>
>>> KTC
>>> --
>>> Kevin Cloutier -'77 Eleganza II-455, 6 disk brakes, Edelbrock carb,
>>> headers, , resident of NYC and Dingmans Ferry, Pa.
>>> '72 MGB-GT & '73 MGB convertible
>>> Member GMCMI since 8/20
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> GMCnet mailing list
>>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Bruce Hart
>> 1976 Palm Beach
>> Milliken, Co
>> GMC=Got More Class
>>
>>
>
> --
> Bruce Hart
> 1976 Palm Beach
> Milliken, Co
> GMC=Got More Class
>
>
--
Bruce Hart
1976 Palm Beach
Milliken, Co
GMC=Got More Class
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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Bruce Hart
1976 Palm Beach
1977 28' Kingsley
La Grange, Wyoming
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| Re: [GMCnet] sloppy steering [message #360065 is a reply to message #360062] |
Tue, 10 November 2020 22:39 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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All the suggestions are good ones -- I should know, having tried them all!
But the single thing I found to help most was installing "True-Tracks" on
the middle suspension arms. If you're not familiar with them they're cam
followers (very wide roller bearings) mounted to the ends of the
suspension arms which run in vertical guides bolted to the frame rails.
They prevent the suspension arms from flexing laterally, as they do
continually during driving. They also tend to compensate for excess play
in the suspension arm bushings, but don't let that keep you from
religiously greasing those. Don't worry about putting them on the real
arms -- those wheels follow along behind the rest.
Call Jim Kanomata.
JWID,
Ken H.
On Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 9:13 PM Marcel Bourgon via Gmclist <
gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:
> We had the same problem here in El Paso with our coaches. We replaced the
> steering box, no more problem
> Marcel in El Paso
>
> I Paso
>
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
>> On Nov 10, 2020, at 6:30 PM, kcloutier--- via Gmclist gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:
>>
>> Hello - I returned a few weeks ago from my very 1st trip in my 1977
> Eleganza. Pretty nice time up to Maine and back to Pa via Rhode Island. The
> coach
>> has had many owners and they all put a lot of care and new parts into it
> along the way. My main complaint is a loose steering road feel at highway
>> speeds. A lot of 1970's steering corrections were required- not a very
> comfortable feel.
>> Is this just normal for a 1977 designed front end? Where might I look
> to firm things up?
>>
>> Many Thanks for any suggestions.
>>
>> KTC
>> --
>> Kevin Cloutier -'77 Eleganza II-455, 6 disk brakes, Edelbrock carb,
> headers, , resident of NYC and Dingmans Ferry, Pa.
>> '72 MGB-GT & '73 MGB convertible
>> Member GMCMI since 8/20
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] sloppy steering [message #360066 is a reply to message #360062] |
Tue, 10 November 2020 22:40 |
jimk
Messages: 6734
Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Bruce is correct to look at how important the gear box must be clocked at
12 O'clock.
The Majority of front end shops do not understand how important it is ..
On Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 6:13 PM Marcel Bourgon via Gmclist <
gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:
> We had the same problem here in El Paso with our coaches. We replaced the
> steering box, no more problem
> Marcel in El Paso
>
> I Paso
>
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
>> On Nov 10, 2020, at 6:30 PM, kcloutier--- via Gmclist gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:
>>
>> Hello - I returned a few weeks ago from my very 1st trip in my 1977
> Eleganza. Pretty nice time up to Maine and back to Pa via Rhode Island. The
> coach
>> has had many owners and they all put a lot of care and new parts into it
> along the way. My main complaint is a loose steering road feel at highway
>> speeds. A lot of 1970's steering corrections were required- not a very
> comfortable feel.
>> Is this just normal for a 1977 designed front end? Where might I look
> to firm things up?
>>
>> Many Thanks for any suggestions.
>>
>> KTC
>> --
>> Kevin Cloutier -'77 Eleganza II-455, 6 disk brakes, Edelbrock carb,
> headers, , resident of NYC and Dingmans Ferry, Pa.
>> '72 MGB-GT & '73 MGB convertible
>> Member GMCMI since 8/20
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.gmcrvparts.com
1-800-752-7502
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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| Re: [GMCnet] sloppy steering [message #360068 is a reply to message #360064] |
Wed, 11 November 2020 10:17 |
ktcnyc
Messages: 25
Registered: September 2020
Karma: -1
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Junior Member |
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Hello Bruce - Thank you for the suggestions. That link to google mail/alex ferrara does not cooperate. Is there another way to read it?
Kevin
Kevin Cloutier -'77 Eleganza II-455, 6 disk brakes, Edelbrock carb, headers, , resident of NYC and Dingmans Ferry, Pa.
'72 MGB-GT & '73 MGB convertible
Member GMCMI since 8/20
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| Re: [GMCnet] sloppy steering [message #360070 is a reply to message #360068] |
Wed, 11 November 2020 11:32 |
jimk
Messages: 6734
Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Kevin,
Call me and I will have Nick or dan send them Via email.
On Wed, Nov 11, 2020 at 8:18 AM kcloutier--- via Gmclist <
gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:
> Hello Bruce - Thank you for the suggestions. That link to google mail/alex
> ferrara does not cooperate. Is there another way to read it?
>
> Kevin
> --
> Kevin Cloutier -'77 Eleganza II-455, 6 disk brakes, Edelbrock carb,
> headers, , resident of NYC and Dingmans Ferry, Pa.
> '72 MGB-GT & '73 MGB convertible
> Member GMCMI since 8/20
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.gmcrvparts.com
1-800-752-7502
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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| Re: sloppy steering [message #360105 is a reply to message #360101] |
Fri, 13 November 2020 00:12 |
dsmithy
Messages: 211
Registered: July 2012
Location: Lincoln Nebraska
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Larry,
I don't know what your problem is. Better minds than mine will address that. But, I drive a '73 with no new front end parts and it goes down the road with two finger steering like my 2016 Camry. These GMC's were meant to drive and any problem can be corrected if identified correctly. Stay with it. You'll win.
Douglas & Virginia Smith,
dsmithy18 at gmail,
Lincoln Nebraska,
’73 “Sequoia” since ‘95: "Wanabizo";
Quadrabag/6 wheel disks/3:70 final/Paterson QuadraJet/Thorley’s/Alloy wheels/Sundry other
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- and I still need to get mine fixed as well. This document is by far the most comprehensive with images explaining the whole process: