G-body Steering Box Woes

[cutluse231]

In my 82 Regal I put my 86 GN powersteering gear box, it runs off the pump of the 71 455.. works great to an extent.



I have recently been experincing that in a stright line while driving, i feel a loose spot in the steering while at center, seems to "catch" or engage 1" to 1.5" from center.. wich gives me 3" of a loose feel in the wheel.



So I thought replace the rag joint maybe thats bad, so I go all out, and just switch to the Jeep steering Shaft conversion. (BTW) I really like..



Nope... still there... so I find or discover one can adjust the load on the steering box to over come wear, 5/8" jamb nut and 3/16" allen on top of the box.



So I follow close what most of the internet info thats out there and adjust it.. yep now it "seems" tighter.. but still that "loose" spot at the top and bcause of the firmer feel its twicher.. so it seems when i wanna switch lanes, or manuver thru traffic, it very upredictable , you have to "saw" at the wheel.



Tried to adjust it back.. but no avail .....



Any ideas? thoughts....... it is a brand new suspension and tires, done in poly.



kinda heasitant about driving it again after a 4 hr round trip . it was fun

 

[TURBOTWIN2]

"....... it is a brand new suspension and tires, done in poly."

Is it brand new steering linkage as well?
Idler arm and center link are common wear items and can cause steering "slop". Tie rod ends would be next on the list.

 

[cutluse231]

Yep..all new linkage... everything.

I tried the "Over Center" adjustment while the Box was still on the car according to the Monte Carlo SS Information & Resources tech pages.
the one contributed by J. Matthew Daugherty.

That "numb" feeling on center is still there, so maybe I should remove it and set it up and include thrust bearing preload as done by Jeff Davidson?

Or play only more with the Over Center adjustment?, Like Jeff stated
Quote:
If the "over center" adjustment is even slightly too tight, the steering will feel 'numb' on center and not want to return to center after a turn.
.

Dead on what my feels like

 

[pacecarta]

http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/general-turbo-buick-tech/220890-another-loose-steering-column.html

 

[cutluse231]

pacecarta

Thanks for the link... but that has already been done. Worked at Buick dealership then.. done 2 days after I got the Regal.

Any other ideas? thoughts? suggestions?

Anyone from either the Indianapolis ,Muncie, Richmond , IN. area know how to work on these?

Your help would be greatly appreciated, trying to have it done in time for the Welcome to Pro-Touring.com & G-Machines.com Run Thru The Hills event in Piegon Forge TN. in Sept.

Thanks