steering wheel movement

[cooke]

When I started driving my 31 A about two months ago the steering wheel had NO play, none, if you turned it a fraction of an inch the front wheels moved. Now I have about 3/4ths of an inch play, that is I can turn the steering wheel that far without the front wheels turning.

The car is tucked into one side of the garage and I have do to a LOT of turning the wheels back and forth without the car moving, this is not easy but could it have damaged or pushed something out of adjustment??

The car still drives excellent but I have noticed a slight loose feeling in the steering on occasion.

Any ideas? I have only driven the car about 400 miles or so since the spring so I dont think I wore anything out.

 

[sethkestenbaum]

Do you have the two tooth or the seven tooth steering system?

 

[cooke]

Not sure but I think what ever a 31 came with. I can out and check, anything I should look for to tell the difference??

 

[Kurt in NJ]

Perhaps it was "new"and now it is time for an adjustment ----have you checked the lubrication level?

 

[Tom Wesenberg]

I never turn the steering wheel unless the car is rolling. It puts a lot of pressure on all the steering parts. I'd have someone move the steering wheel back and forth about 2" while you look under the car for the lost motion. It might be loose in the square part of the drag link, or a tie rod collapsed spring, etc.

 

[Mitch//pa]

ck for movement where the box connects to the pitman arm, sometimes the pitman arm bolt needs tightening

 

[usered]

I have a question along these same lines, how tight do you tighten the spring loaded ends of the drag link?

 

[1931 flamingo]

Martin: 3/4", I wouldn't worry, many are running with MUCH more at the wheel, but as others have stated ck the front for looseness.
Paul in CT

 

[kingbee]

And check the bolts that hold the steering box to the frame. They need to be very tight

 

[ctvpa]

If you have difficulty getting in and out of tight spaces, I use these and they work great. http://www.harborfreight.com/2-piece-1500-lb-capacity-vehicle-dollies-67338.html

 

[H. L. Chauvin]

Furniture Pads:

I like the TV ad showing placing neat small pads under furniture legs to move furniture.

Then they place the advertised pads under the (4) wheels of a car & show a guy pushing & sliding the car on these pads.

Often thought they either did not show the other end of the car; i.e., with a tractor on the end of a tow rope pulling the car while the guy easily pushed it; or the later ambulance arrival to bring this guy to the hospital for his hernia.

LOL

 

[SeaSlugs]

If you have difficulty getting in and out of tight spaces, I use these and they work great. http://www.harborfreight.com/2-piece-1500-lb-capacity-vehicle-dollies-67338.html

I second this idea. we use them under my dads 1960 VW Ghia under all 4 wheels.. SO much easier in a 2.5 car garage....

 

[Tiny]

Your worried about 3/4"? Remember its not a modern car. Thats nothing. When it gets up to 1/4 turn of slop start worrying. An over tightened box is bad also a bit of play is ok.

 

[Ross/Kzoo]

I bought these and they don't flex and also support a modern car:

http://www.tireskate.com/tsdeep.php

 

[Terry NJ]

I wish I had that problem! Mine was about 4" and it's growing. Fortunately the alignment is good and it doesn't wander. But it has been known to commit the "Death Wobble" in really bumpy and rutted parking lots.
Terry

 

[Rusty Homestead Fl]

If you have difficulty getting in and out of tight spaces, I use these and they work great. http://www.harborfreight.com/2-piece-1500-lb-capacity-vehicle-dollies-67338.html

I bought the same dollies and they work great. I only paid $32.99 per pair. (coupon) If you don't have a coupon ebay has loads of them for $3.00 for the dollies at $39.99.

 

[Rock Hornbuckle]

Maybe on of the adjustment lock nuts on the steering box was not tightened after the adjustment was made.