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BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER.... A's, G's & E's


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Scott
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    Serious play in my steering

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    jmr


    Number of posts : 26
    Location : Los Angeles, California
    Registration date : 2009-04-29

    Serious play in my steering Empty Serious play in my steering

    Post by jmr Mon May 04, 2009 1:46 pm

    I have some serious play in my steering wheel on my 2nd gen. It probably turns 5 - 6 inches before it even begins to think about turning the wheels. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
    Also, how hard is it to change out steering columns, say one from a 71-74 Chevy van with tilt in it?
    Thanks,
    Jeff
    donivan65
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    Post by donivan65 Mon May 04, 2009 7:06 pm

    If you look at the pitman arm under the van and if it does not move when you rock the steering wheel, then you might be able to adjust the box with the bolt by the fill plug
    donivan65
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    Post by donivan65 Mon May 04, 2009 7:14 pm

    Serious play in my steering Steerb10
    wideload
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    Post by wideload Tue May 05, 2009 4:55 am

    On my 67 the steering had a lot of play. I tightened the nuts that hold the draglink at each end and it helped a bunch.

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    Post by Guest Wed May 06, 2009 5:16 am

    I have the same problem, although not quite as bad. Also to go straight down the road I have to have the wheel turned to the left (I think, dont remember right now) like 20 degrees. How do I make my wheel point straight when the wheels are straight?
    donivan65
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    Post by donivan65 Wed May 06, 2009 11:15 am

    If the steering wheel aint straight anymore, it usually means there is a steering problem,,,,,,mostly the toe in setting is off,,,,,,IF the ball joints and tie rods are ok, AND the van goes straight if you take your hands off the wheel going down the road, then pull the steering wheel off,,,,,,it should be able to go back on any place you want it to,,,,,,,,,
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    Post by Guest Wed May 06, 2009 11:21 am

    It definetly doesnt go straight if I let go of the wheel. Every bump tries to take me one way or another. I was just wondering if I should be conserned that its the gear box or anything. I was planning on getting under there and seeing where the play is coming from. It wouldnt be kingpins would it? I have not read up on those at all but I got the feeling that they are difficult to do.
    donivan65
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    Post by donivan65 Wed May 06, 2009 3:36 pm

    Jack it up,,,,grab the wheel at the top and bottom to check for looseness in the king pins and bearings,,,,,,,,grab the sides and rock the wheel to check the ball joints,,,,,,look close at the tie rods,,,,,,you don't want any slop in your entire steering system,,,,,,,and king pins are not too hard to do,,,,,,,unless your van don't like you,,,,,look and see if there are any new parts on it and maybe they did not set the toe in correctly,,,,,,,,
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    Post by Guest Thu May 14, 2009 5:45 am

    Is the fill plug in that picture up there the thing thats being pointed to about checking lube? If so then the bolt that needs to be adjusted is the one above that right?
    donivan65
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    Post by donivan65 Thu May 14, 2009 6:59 am

    YEP,,,,,,,it is a set screw with a lock nut on it,,,,,,,jack the front end up,,,,point the wheels straight,,,,loosen the nut,,,,,,,turn the screw in,,,,,check setting by turning the steering wheel side to side to see if it turns smoothly without hanging up,,,,,,,,,,,,
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    crazee


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    Post by crazee Thu May 14, 2009 11:35 am

    Before I did anything ........I WOULD check the toe in first.

    Had the exact same symptoms with my 64 Econoline......

    King pins were wore.....but not too bad. In the end I found that "somebody" before I owned it jacked up the front on the tie rod.........this bent it and caused one wheel to point out to the left.

    Gave the exact same symptoms you describe.

    So check the toe in and all linkage in the front end.

    Bad king pins will cause wander.........but that darting from side to side sounds more like a toe in/ alignment issue.

    Or likely a combo of things.

    But let us know as I always like hearing the culprit & the cure for future reference.
    Scott
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    Post by Scott Thu May 14, 2009 12:43 pm

    So how do you lube that thing anyway?

    And is that something I need to check even if I don't have play in the wheel?
    donivan65
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    Post by donivan65 Thu May 14, 2009 3:26 pm

    You fill it through that plug until it runs out,,,,,grease will work,,,,,If you got a lot of play in the steering wheel ,,,,,AND,,,,,the pitman arm aint moving while you are rocking the wheel,,,,,,THEN the problem is in the steering box,,,,,,MAYBE an adjustment will tighten up the steering wheel,,,,,,but if you adjust it too tight,,,,,the steering wont turn all the way,,,,,,,,,if you mess with the adjustment,,,,,count the turns you cranked it in so you can PUT IT BACK WHERE YOU FOUND IT,,,,,if you mess it up,,,,,,
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    jmr


    Number of posts : 26
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    Post by jmr Mon May 18, 2009 1:28 pm

    donivan65,
    that picture you added of a steering box looks like a new one. can you buy them new? if so, where did you get that one?
    thanks,
    Jeff
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    Post by donivan65 Mon May 18, 2009 7:14 pm

    Its an old one,,,,,,,just painted with my favorite paint of the month,,,,,,,Rustoleum Hammered Finished Silver paint,,,,,,,,the only chance is to find a used one,,,,,,,they don't fit anything else,,,,,,
    Matt Hagan
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    Location : East Peoria, IL
    Registration date : 2008-05-28

    Serious play in my steering Empty Donivan

    Post by Matt Hagan Tue May 19, 2009 8:31 pm

    I did the above mentioned techniques yesterday and my steering that was full of slop, now is fine. I just moved the steering box bolt 1/4th of a turn. Is everything else needing repair going to go that easy??? Thanks again,

    Matt Rolling Eyes
    donivan65
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    Post by donivan65 Tue May 19, 2009 8:54 pm

    I guess the van has the final say so on how it lets us repair it,,,,,,,,they can be pretty ornery if their previous owners abused or neglected them,,,,,,,but treat them good and they won't let you down,,,,,,,and that means get ready for the best cruisin' ever,,,,,,,,
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    Post by crazee Wed May 20, 2009 5:58 am

    Matt Hagan wrote:I did the above mentioned techniques yesterday and my steering that was full of slop, now is fine. I just moved the steering box bolt 1/4th of a turn. Is everything else needing repair going to go that easy??? Thanks again,

    Matt Rolling Eyes

    YEA!!!!!!!!!!!
    You got off easy. Must be either good karma or..............lulling you into false security before it lets you have it!
    LOL
    RipVanArkie
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    Post by RipVanArkie Wed May 20, 2009 7:14 pm

    If you adjust it too tight (might not notice it at first) it could lock up on you on a long drive or a hot day. Shocked

    Later,
    Rip
    ViewMaster
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    Post by ViewMaster Thu May 21, 2009 5:16 am

    It's probally the easiest fix that does the most improvement. I've usually just counted the turns till it bottomed out then backed it out half way to avoid it from locking up.
    DanTheVanMan
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    Post by DanTheVanMan Wed Jan 20, 2010 4:33 am

    Don,
    Are the 1st and 2nd Gen Steering gear boxes the same?

    DAn


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