Can't figure out loose steering.

[-dw-]

There's about 10-20 degrees of steering wheel play before the wheels start to move. I'm thinking that these guys are right about it being a junk remanned unit.

We have a customer with a 61 impala we swapped in a power steering kit yrs ago. We had also completely rebuilt all of the suspension and steering. Last yr the customer complained about the loose steering. I spent a bit of time trying to pinpoint the slack. The slack was in the remanned 605 box that came with the "kit". I checked the sector gear adjustment and it was good. Suggested a 500 box which i believe will swap in.

 

[Steve Bakken]

Been finding a lot of 800 series on Ebay for sale from 80's era cars. But they say they will not fit a '79. All say '80-'87. Correct me if I'm wrong, but every unit manufactured from '78-'87, both 600 and 800 series will physically interchange year to year, correct?

 

[ELCAM]

Been finding a lot of 800 series on Ebay for sale from 80's era cars. But they say they will not fit a '79. All say '80-'87. Correct me if I'm wrong, but every unit manufactured from '78-'87, both 600 and 800 series will physically interchange year to year, correct?

Somewhere in the early 80s they changed from flare fittings to O ring seals on the steering box. Need adaptors to use the stock lines.

O-Ring to Inverted Flare Power Steering Adapter

If you have a power steering pump using late model style O-ring sealed hoses that you need to adapt to traditional inverted flare hoses, this inverted flare adapter is a simple fix. Simply insert the adapter into the flow control fitting and then install your inverted flare hose. Use to convert...

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O-Ring to Inverted Flare Power Steering Adapter Brass Fitting adapter LOT OF 3 | eBay

This is a new O-ring to inverted flare power steering adapter.If you have a power steering pump using late model style O-ring sealed hoses that you need to adapt to traditional inverted flare hoses, this inverted flare adapter is a simple fix.

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Weatherhead 1447 Metric Power Steering Adapter 18mm O-Ring to 5/8 Flare | eBay

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[Ribbedroof]

Somewhere in the early 80s they changed from flare fittings to O ring seals on the steering box.

It was 1980 on A/G bodies.. up to79 was inverted flare, 80+ is O-ring.

 

[pagrunt]

Somewhere in the early 80s they changed from flare fittings to O ring seals on the steering box.

It is '78-'79 with inch flair fittings, box & pump. From '80-'88 with metric O ring fittings also box & pump. GM across the board converted to the metric O ring fittings in '80.

Edit-slow & beat to the punch.

 

[Steve Bakken]

Brilliant. So any box from 78-87 will bolt in, just need to order the fitting adaptors, then, right?

 

[Wageslave]

If I recall correctly, even some of the 90's XJ and ZJ steering boxes are compatible with the G-Bodies and are a fairly easy way to get a quick ratio box if you get one from a V8 ZJ. I do believe that the pitman arm will need swapped over, though.

 

[Rt Jam]

Before you buy anything. Steering box or have the internet blame your rag joint. Diagnose 1st. Like oldsofb said, it's a mechanical connection. Find the slop before spending any money buying and installing parts.
There is nothing wrong with a rag joint. When they are new, there is zero slop.

What is the caster settings on your alignment and what is your tire size. I am also concerned with what you are comparing this G body too. They will never be as tight as a new Corvette but if the slop is indeed excessive, it should not be hard to find.

 

[g3chevy]

Before you buy anything. Steering box or have the internet blame your rag joint. Diagnose 1st. Like oldsofb said, it's a mechanical connection. Find the slop before spending any money buying and installing parts.
There is nothing wrong with a rag joint. When they are new, there is zero slop.

What is the caster settings on your alignment and what is your tire size. I am also concerned with what you are comparing this G body too. They will never be as tight as a new Corvette but if the slop is indeed excessive, it should not be hard to find.

Not all rag joints are created equal....

I believe your steering shaft is the culprit. I bought a brand new one off Ebay and installed it with no improvement from the old one. It ended up being the rag joint. The rubber is so soft, it compresses whenever you turn the shaft. This is what caused my steering slop. Went to the junkyard and grabbed a Jeep Cherokee steering shaft, modified it, installed it and never looked back.


Replacement Unit - Sent Back For Refund
View attachment 180094

Junkyard Unit - Top / Original Unit - Bottom
View attachment 180095

 

[Steve Bakken]

Replaced the rag joint with Kevlar enforced rubber (like a snowmobile track). Stiffer than stock. Replaced all moving front end parts, stock 14" ralleye rims, camber, caster, and toe all set to stock specs. Not sure what else there could be