i just got a 1970 chevelle and the steering is very dificult becauseitseems realy looseand all over the place?

Question

what can i do to make the steering more like a modern day car (tight and easy to steer) im pretty sure my car has power steering but idk. is there any way to make the steering tighter and less all over the place? prices? thank you

Answer 1

Well, you can't make it tighter unless all the parts are good(and I doubt that they are at this moment) You probably got worn ball joints, steering joints, and the like, all which has to be corrected first. Price is irrelevant. You can't steer the darn thing.

Answer 2

It sounds like normal wear might be getting the best of ya. Does the steering wheel move a lot when you are stopped(with the engine off) and wiggling the wheel like your trying to weave back and forth down the road? If you can easily wiggle it more than an inch or so, then you can get a lot more control over your car if you adjust the steering gearbox clearances. It is common for these older gearboxes to become worn and loose with age and the gearbox might be loose where it bolts to the frame or the pitman arm maybe loose where it bolts to the steering box. You can check all this and it won't cost you a thing! Also look under the hood and check the flexible rubber drive joint that connects the steering column to the steering box. They deteriorate with splashed oil and age and introduce lots of freeplay into the steering. Get a friend to help you. Have them weavewiggle the steering wheel while you look around. Happy Hunting.

Answer 3

Check if you have a power steering pump attached to the steering gear box where the steering wheel comes through to the engine compartment. If you do not than you do not have power steering. The steering in older cars was unassisted and it was hard to steer them. That is why we used to call it ArmStrong steering... Especially because the cars where so big and heavy. Smaller and lighter cars with rack and pinion steering started coming out in the late 70s. If the steering is loose or all over the place it would be best to get the whole assembly checked as it sounds like you may have loose tie rods or possibly something else which is actually dangerous.

. If you do have power steering it will get hard to steer if the pump is out of fluid or not operating or a long shot something is binding your steering system.

Answer 4

Most cars mid-sized and larger had power steering from from the early to mid sixties on. Your car was considered mid-sized. At any rate, what you are describing sounds like the normal steering for most cars back then - it reacted fast and took a light touch.

However, considering the age of the car, I would suggest having the front end checked and aligned. If nothing else it is probably in need of a good greasing.

Answer 5

it seems like all your steering arms are wornout also try changing your steering ratio to 12 to 1 with all that done your car will handle like acorvette well,a heavyone anyway.

Answer 6

Worn front end parts, can get expensive. Just fix the really bad stuff first. Negotiate.

Answer 7

Try a new stirring box.