Proper amount of steering play in a 69 Z28

[sixt9rsx33]

My 69 Z has manual steering and it just seems too loose. The car has 39k miles on it and I had the box rebuilt a few years ago. I have very slightly adjusted the lash with no real improvement. There is a steering adjustment in the Service Manual but seems very extensive and I don't know if this described work is for a box that seems loose? All the other steering components have been replaced except the upper ball joints...they are original. Any suggestions?

[enio45]

You may want to look at your wheel bearings to see if the rotors are tight.

[sixt9rsx33]

I found a good thread over on Team Camaro that may help. I am going to give the lash more adjustment and see what happens. I have only tightened down about 1/8 of a turn so may have not given enough adjustment yet.

Thanks

[enio45]

can u post that link here that you found on team camaro?

[sixt9rsx33]

Here you go

http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=137749&highlight=Steering+adjustm ent

[sixt9rsx33]

I used the above thread and it helped the steering a great deal. I lifted the front wheels off the ground found the center of the box and tightened the lash screw down until I had all the slop out of the box. (all that is expected). I test drove the car it feels a ton better. The steering wheel centered back up after turns and I had no binding in the box. The one thing I forgot to do while the front wheels were off the ground was to turn lock to lock after I found what I thought was the right adjustment. (you are testing for smooth operation here) My screw resistance was very minimal when I started to turn clockwise. One I started to feel slight resistance I probably went another 1/4 turn then locked it down. I would expect all boxes will be different so you have to feel your way through the adjustment then go test drive. If the steering feels a little rough when turning then you have it to tight. If you find yourself zig zagging after a turn then it is too tight.
Good luck