I'm going to try an adjustment to the steering box today. I had asked this question in the past but was nervous about trying it. I googled it and it seems that its a fairly common thing to try. its a power unit in the 69 bird, and has been super easy to turn the steering wheel. So, I want to try and stiffen it up alittle.
I will make small adjustments, a 1/16 to 1/8 turn on the adjusting screw for each try.
Question, what damage could be done by what I'm going to try? can it be reversed?
Any last minute advise?
Thanks bill v
69 Firebird Convertible (wifes car since 1979) Goldenrod Yellow, 350, plain Jane Car was stored in garage since 1990
I need help, if anyone see's I'm going down the wrong road--Straighten me out!
I swapped my 68 Firebird steering box with one out of a 74 Pontiac Lemans. No modifications were necessary, just bolt her in. I got much better steering response with this steering box. The wonder touch steering in the 60's made for very powerful steering with little effort but made it too loose. I have no idea as to what the adjusting will do.
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"To stiffen up your steering" is not the reason to adjust the worm gear in the box. To take extra slack out of your box is what that does. You will still have the single finger steer that was original to the car. If you want better road feel you have to either have your box built by someone that knows what they're doing or replace it with one that was designed that way.
Ok, well, yesturday I made a few adjustments. ended up making 4 for a nearly 180 degrees adj on that screw. it only made a small difference if any. I got nervous about it and stopped.
Last night I revisited this thread, read the post and now I'm more nervous as to what I adjusted.
So, you guys seem to be saying that with the original power steering that it should be very easy to turn, correct????
Thanks bill v
69 Firebird Convertible (wifes car since 1979) Goldenrod Yellow, 350, plain Jane Car was stored in garage since 1990
I need help, if anyone see's I'm going down the wrong road--Straighten me out!
Like Bob said, the adjustment is just to take the slop or play of out of the steering gear, it won't affect how hard or easy it is to turn the wheel, although if you go too far it will increase the drag thus making the steering seem tighter or require more effort to turn the wheel.
If you tightened that up too much it will hold the wheels in a turn. You want it tight enough to take the play out but still loose enough so it returns to straight ahead when you take your hands off the wheel while the car is moving forward.
What will generally happen if you get it too tight is it will stick right in the middle( the straight ahead position ) where the mesh is the closest. You'll feel it while driving the car.