finmad Posted August 29, 2015 Report Share Posted August 29, 2015 (edited) Ok, so I got my 47 WD-15 running and stopping nice, but holly cow the steering is loose. I can swing the wheel side to side 4-6 inches of free play. When I am turning is seems tight and solid, when I am in a straight line, it drifts and I need to constantly correct it. How do I check the parts to see what is causing this? any suggestions?? Edited August 29, 2015 by finmad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg g Posted August 29, 2015 Report Share Posted August 29, 2015 The steering box has a slotted adjuster and lock nut, you may be able to get rid of some if it. Don't give it a lot in one whack , do a bit and see if ti works any out, then do bit more. Is the box secured properly to the frame? Some cars have a rubber isolator pad that gets gummy and provides a place for slop to hide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry Roberts Posted August 29, 2015 Report Share Posted August 29, 2015 Also you can have someone turn the steering wheel back and forth while you are looking underneath to see where the slop is . It might not be in the steering box . There are several other places that the slop might live . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plymouthy Adams Posted August 29, 2015 Report Share Posted August 29, 2015 your repair manual has a very good section on steering. Adjusting the cross shaft may eliminate some play but not all the paly may be attributed to this alone. Over tightening this will cause for some harsh steering either direction of center and actually accelerate gear wear....the manual explains how to tell when this is properly adjusted by making proper tests. You have play also in the worm bearing, the steering box adjustment is a multistep process. As others have mentioned...the play could also be in other steering components, again, use the troubleshooting guide for loose steering in your repair manual. IF you have loose components elsewhere..the adjusting of the steering is the last thing you will wish to do, fitting replacement components will first be required. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Spyder Posted August 29, 2015 Report Share Posted August 29, 2015 When I am turning is seems tight and solid, when I am in a straight line, it drifts and I need to constantly correct it. any suggestions?? Just a thought, are you still on bias ply tires? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plymouthy Adams Posted August 29, 2015 Report Share Posted August 29, 2015 Just a thought, are you still on bias ply tires? tires are also addressed in the troubleshooting section of the manual...his statement is very general as he has not specified nay specific test or evals done at this time... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finmad Posted August 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2015 I think I isolated it to the drag link. There's excessive slop I've gotten the grease fittings out in the Horshoe shaped pens but I cannot turn the slotted plugs. Anyone have a suggestions? Is there a special tool I can buy? I've tried a flat blade screwdriver and a hammer to try to drift it, that didn't work. I had a thick scraper about the right size and a wrench on that and I couldn't get them to spin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Young Ed Posted August 30, 2015 Report Share Posted August 30, 2015 drag link socket Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TodFitch Posted August 30, 2015 Report Share Posted August 30, 2015 I think I isolated it to the drag link. There's excessive slop I've gotten the grease fittings out in the Horshoe shaped pens but I cannot turn the slotted plugs. Anyone have a suggestions? Is there a special tool I can buy? I've tried a flat blade screwdriver and a hammer to try to drift it, that didn't work. I had a thick scraper about the right size and a wrench on that and I couldn't get them to spin. If it is like the slotted plugs on the drag link on my '33 Plymouth, I used the large slot blade that came with my Craftsman hand impact driver that I bought decades ago when I was too poor to buy any real tool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave72dt Posted August 30, 2015 Report Share Posted August 30, 2015 (edited) Besides using the proper tool, in a pinch you can also use a brake adjusting spoon. You may be able to find them through Lisle Tools or the specialty pro tool suppliers. Most of your parts house people will not have a clue what a drag ling socket is and they do come in different sizes so measure before you buy.. Edited August 30, 2015 by Dave72dt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plymouthy Adams Posted August 30, 2015 Report Share Posted August 30, 2015 those used to be standard part of the 1/2 drive socket sets years ago... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodgeb4ya Posted August 31, 2015 Report Share Posted August 31, 2015 The drag link end cap and proper drag link socket bit.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finmad Posted September 2, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2015 That was it. I was able to find one at a NAPA near bye but it was only 3/4 wide. I took some 1/8 inch steal and made a new tip for it longer. I was able to get the adjuster to spin on the steering box end, I adjusted it in almost 2 full turns. I could not free up the end on the axle end, my make shift tip kept breaking off, no matter how well I welded it. So I am waiting for a hardened socket the right size, I bet with some heat and penetrating spray I should be able to get that one free. Just the adjustments on one end made a world of difference. I can't wait to get the other end done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TodFitch Posted September 2, 2015 Report Share Posted September 2, 2015 If it had that much wear then the ball may well not be spherical. As long as you have it loose, at least on one end, you might want to disassemble the thing and see what wear there is. Not sure about now, but not too many years ago the hardened cups, springs, etc. for the inside of that for my '33 were still available and probably were for your newer vehicle. If inspection shows too much internal wear you may want to look into that. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finmad Posted September 2, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2015 That is the next step, I just need to get the front loose first then I can pull the whole drag link off and inspect it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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