Hi, I have 67 Firebird fairly original. The power steering is original. It turns really really easy. Which at time you need to keep correcting it. How can this be tighten up some?
in addition to what my dad posted above, when driving on the freeway around big sweeping turns it feels like you are floating a boat around the turn and constantly moving the wheel to correct it.
Have a good alignment shop check the alignment and give it as much negative caster as they can. Usually can't get more than 3-4 degrees negative. But also depends on how the rest of the front suspension is.
bigchief, Had the alignment done per spec. I have all new front end bushing and springs. Running 225 /60-14s up front too. Is there any adjustment on the steering box?
Yes, there is, but its mostly used to take out excessive steering play. If you do have play you can adjust the screw/nut 1/2 turn at a time and test it. Be careful not to go too much and create binding, only go 1/2 turn at time until you take out most of the play. Good looking ride BTW.
ramair68, Thanks a bunch! I will try that. So loosen the nut and screw in the screw 1/2 turn at a time, but don't go so far as to create binding. Got it.
So you have a Ram air 68, cool. Mine is a original number matching 67, but have added the Ram Air 1 to it (all bolt on stuff), all metal carb pan and hood piece. I'll have my son post the picture of it.
ramair68, Thanks a bunch! I will try that. So loosen the nut and screw in the screw 1/2 turn at a time, but don't go so far as to create binding. Got it.
So you have a Ram air 68, cool. Mine is a original number matching 67, but have added the Ram Air 1 to it (all bolt on stuff), all metal carb pan and hood piece. I'll have my son post the picture of it.
bigchief, Had the alignment done per spec. I have all new front end bushing and springs. Running 225 /60-14s up front too. Is there any adjustment on the steering box?
Hopefully someone checked the rest of the steering components as well as the rag joint.
bigchief, Thanks, yes the rag joint was replace too. The only things still original is the steering box and pitman arm. It steers really easy, even with larger tires up front. I always thought that is just how it is. Cars nowdays are so much tighter.
Art, the steering is very easy but there are mods you can do to give it more of a modern feel. To reference your conversation with big chief, You said that the alignment was done to spec. The spec for front castor was +\- 0 castor. The alignment rack gets these specs from factory settings. As time has gone on we have learned that a higher number on the castor setting greatly improves road feel. You will want to shim out or put offset cross shafts in to get an increase in the positive castor reading, +4 or higher if you can. This will eliminate bump steer and make it feel more modern... The second option is to replace your steering box with one that has modern valving. CPP makes a great box for about 379.00 it will completely change the road feel and give you the ride your looking for. Another option is to restrict the PS pump flow. If I'm not mistaken the line pressure is about 1100-1500 PSI. If you were to reduce line pressure to 750PSI it will give you that tight feeling. This can be done by buying the pressure reduction kit from borguson, about $20. Doing this is not a long term fix and is false road feel as you will be pulling against reduced fluid not road force. Reducing the pressure is ok if you are not driving it everyday but it can lead to premature wear of box, I reduced my pressure with no Ill affects for years before replacing my box. Hope this helps, Justin
Justin, Thanks. It's not anywhere near a daily driver. It get driven very little, but would be nice to have that tighter feel. I know they made them easy years ago. I think Buick used to have an ad about turning with your one pinky finger. I'll look that pressure reducer up. Again trying not to make too many changes to a fairly stock/original 400, 4sp car. I did add the ram air 1 stuff , but that can be removable.
