Can't figure out loose steering.

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Steve Bakken

Apprentice
Feb 20, 2015
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Had my '79 Cutlass since 1989. Over the years the steering has progressively gotten looser. Replaced the mushy rag joint, replaced all the steering linkage, and finally the steering gear itself with a Napa remanned unit. Had our mechanic check the alignment to make sure the caster wasn't off. Everything is within spec but there is still a LOT of slop in the steering wheel. Suspected a bad steering gear, so I even pulled it back out and Napa was good enough to let me exchange it for a second one. I have tightened the gear mesh on the Allen bolt to the point where it gets darty. Any thoughts on where to go from here?
 

565bbchevy

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Aug 8, 2011
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ELCAM

Royal Smart Person
Jun 19, 2021
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Make sure the pinch bolt where the steering linkage goes to the steering column is tight.
 
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565bbchevy

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Aug 8, 2011
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Streetbu

Know it all, that doesn't
Supporting Member
May 22, 2011
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Remanufactured gear boxes are notorious for being loose and worn out. The rebuilds only make them look nice, and not leak. They do not replace the hard parts. You can only tighten up the lash so much until exactly what you had happen, happens.
If everything else checks out, my bet is it's still the gear box.
 
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-dw-

Greasemonkey
Mar 15, 2021
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Central MN
Does ur Olds have a 605 or 800 steering box? If it the 605 it may never feel tight.
 
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