Topic: Straight axle steering

[ezrat]

I have a straight axle, (unknown) on my Dodge. Vega box with cowl steering setup.
My problem is I have too much play in the wheel. It keeps you busy up to 50 and
over 50 it will make you pucker up. I have checked the pitman arm, drag link etc.
They all seem tight. All was new about a year ago when built.  Any suggestions
would be appreciated..Thanks ez

[Greybeards Customs]

have you checked the adjustment bolt and jambnut on the box , it may only need to be adjusted a little tighter .

[hotwheels]

I Plan on using a socal steering stabilizer. They are very reasonably priced. Being I am on a cell phone I can't copy the addy for some reason.

[ezrat]

Greybeard: Some say that does not work, others do. I guess it couldn't hurt to try.

[ezrat]

Hotwheels: I recently put a vw stabilizer on. I'm happy with it. No death
wobble and it only cost $15 on ebay..

[obama]

Do you know where the "play" or "slop" in the steering is coming from? once we figure that out might have more idears.

[obama]

Problem solved? 

[ezrat]

Still working on that one. May consider a front panhard also. I'll
have to disassemble the firewall to get at the box adjustment..

[obama]

Before ya take the whole car apart, have ya looked underneath the front while somebody wiggles the steering wheel? that may tell ya where the looseness is coming from. Try it without jacking up first, then raise one wheel , then da other, shake or check steering,tie rods ect., then wheel bearings, lastly tire and rim roundness. Also cowl steering can have a extra wiggle from week bearings in the assemdly from steering box to arm.  If ya already have done this, disregard this whole idear and just wiggle check the box. Now that I typed this all out you can tell me "I did that you fool"

[ezrat]

Thanks for that info. I have done part of that but not all.
I also have bias tires that want to wander at the slightest
imperfection in the road. Could be many small things adding
up to one big problem...

[obama]

bias tires can still work fine, I often forget to do the simple stuff first, so........let us know what happens.

[Greybeards Customs]

have you fixed the problem ?

[ezrat]

NO, but I have isolated it to the vega box. It's mounted in an obscure spot and I think I may need to remove it to adjust or repair. Shows and cruise nights 3-4 days a week so I hate to tear it down right now.

[Greybeards Customs]

I can dig it , I have the front seal on my blower that has a leak and I don't want to disable it for the same reason . I have a shop towel that I zip-tie around the snout to keep the oil from dripping on the front of the engine . When I get to the show I just snip the tie off and hide the rag .

[hotwheels]

Shows and cruise nights 3-4 days a week so I hate to tear it down right now.

That would be kewl as hell man...........wish we had that many shows up here in the arm pit of the good ole u. s. of A.

[obama]

ezerat, have fun at da show. the old "Vega Box" problem eh" at least now we know what your problem is, lot better than just thow'n money at it till the problem goes away.

[ezrat]

I may have got lucky today, Talking to a friend/mechanic about my steering
problem when he suggested we check the toe-in. Now it drives like a different
car. I feel so stupid when it turns out to be so simple!!