steering problems

Discussion in 'Technical' started by khayden, May 7, 2002.

  1. khayden

    khayden New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2002
    Messages:
    4
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Mount Vernon,WA
    Vehicle:
    71 Grabber
    I just picked up another 71 mav with 87000 miles on it. The problem is that it doesn't seem to steer properly. When turning, it does not want to return to center. It has PS and I have adjusted the control valve properly. The PS pump is working properly. The streering box seems to be tight (not alot of slop), and it does streer straight without pulling. If the wind is blowing at all it becomes hard to handle this car above 40. Anybody have any ideas?
     
    khayden, May 7, 2002
    #1
  2. Earl Branham

    Earl Branham Certified Old Fart

    Joined:
    Mar 9, 2002
    Messages:
    6,367
    Likes Received:
    200
    Trophy Points:
    218
    Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Lugoff, SC
    Vehicle:
    '69.5 Maverick 302, T-5, Grabber Green
    May be something as easy as an alignment. The alignment of the front end can make the car steer hard, or wander all over the road. After you check the suspension and steering linkage, check the rag joint for safety, and then get the car aligned. Hopefully that will take care of the problem.

    Earl
     
    Earl Branham, May 7, 2002
    #2
  3. khayden

    khayden New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2002
    Messages:
    4
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Mount Vernon,WA
    Vehicle:
    71 Grabber
    steering

    The alignment is good, shocks are good, ps control valve is good, suspension is not worn and looks good, rag joint is good, steering box is good. About the only thing that might be suspect at this time is the power piston, maybe something is hanging up on its shaft. I have spare and will replace it and see what happens. Anybody else ever have this problem? Let me know.:confused:
     
    khayden, May 8, 2002
    #3
  4. Mavaholic

    Mavaholic Growing older but not up!

    Joined:
    Mar 9, 2002
    Messages:
    14,981
    Likes Received:
    188
    Trophy Points:
    258
    Location:
    Live Oak, FL
    Vehicle:
    Original 72 Sprint Owner, 71 Comet GT, 57 Ranchwagon, 57 4 dr Wagon
    How do you know the alignment is good? Did you put it on an alignment rack & have it checked? If you're just looking at your tires and see no unusual wear pattern, this is not always an indication of proper alignment. Negative caster is what will center your wheels. Think of a motorcycle, how the forks are tilted back. This is extreme negative caster and is why you can let go and they track straight. The more towards zero your caster is set (or even positive) the easier the car is to steer but also becomes more drifty. Misadjusted caster will cause very little, if any, wear on your tires.
     
    Mavaholic, May 8, 2002
    #4
  5. K. Merring

    K. Merring Regular

    Joined:
    Mar 9, 2002
    Messages:
    484
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Easton,Pa.
    Vehicle:
    73 Comet GT
    Somthing you want to check. The grease seals go bad in these boxes and the box goes dry for a long peroid of time. The lash take up may be to tight or a combo of both. I would disconnect the ball stud out of the steering cylinder and see how free the box is and go from there. Could have a bind somewhere else in the linkage.
     
    K. Merring, May 8, 2002
    #5

Share This Page