"Wheel play",,,my steering wheel ,,,,questions.....
#131359
10/02/08 09:31 PM
10/02/08 09:31 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,852
KENTUCKY
69CHARGERMD
OP
master
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OP
master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,852
KENTUCKY
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What would be the most common causes for my steering wheel to have excessive play in it ? This is in my 69 Charger RT,,,,manual steering,,,,, It is getting a bit scary to drive at times due to the amount of play in the wheel... Steering box ???? if so,,,is this rebuild-able .... or should it be replaced,,,, ? The front suspension is otherwise in good shape,,,so i dont "think" that is it,,,,,,,,,,,, ?? thanks, Doug 
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Re: "Wheel play",,,my steering wheel ,,,,questions.....
[Re: 69CHARGERMD]
#131360
10/02/08 09:47 PM
10/02/08 09:47 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 104,346
Garden Grove, CA
OzHemi
Penguin-hating Ginger
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Penguin-hating Ginger
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 104,346
Garden Grove, CA
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Could be tie rod ends, pitman arm, idler arm, or the box as you mentioned.. Get under the car and have someone rock the wheel left to right to see if you see alot of play in the assorted steering parts, help narrow down the issue that way 
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Re: "Wheel play",,,my steering wheel ,,,,questions.....
[Re: OzHemi]
#131361
10/02/08 10:15 PM
10/02/08 10:15 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 32,931
Grand Prairie,Texas
stumpy
I Win
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I Win
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 32,931
Grand Prairie,Texas
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Steering gearbox can be adjusted some to take out slack init. But like ozhemi said get someone to move the wheel while you watch for slack or worn parts.
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Re: "Wheel play",,,my steering wheel ,,,,questions.....
[Re: stumpy]
#131362
10/03/08 08:11 PM
10/03/08 08:11 PM
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,319
Chicago Burbs
sthemi
master
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master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,319
Chicago Burbs
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Like already posted, have someone wiggle the steering wheel and watch to see what has play. Do not expect it to ever feel like a newer car, these old cars have tons of slop in everywhere, some by design..(not rack and pinion, that was exotic stuff in the 60s) I have been driving them since they were new and it is typical to saw the wheel a bit to keep it pointed the correct direction. A good wheel alignment will go a long way to making it feel better. 
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Re: "Wheel play",,,my steering wheel ,,,,questions.....
[Re: sthemi]
#131363
10/03/08 09:03 PM
10/03/08 09:03 PM
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,728
ST clair shores MI
moretoys
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,728
ST clair shores MI
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(1)sloppy gearbox.can be adjusted.loosen top lock nut,turn the inner screw in.1 turn at a time,If you go too tight,then you will know by Not returning too center after a turn
(2)Pitman arm can be worn.Wiggle the steering wheel and look make sure the BIg nut didn't come loose at the gearbox,look for excessive play at the center link nut.
(3) steering coupler.attaches the steering column too the gearbox,Those do wear out,Again grab it and twist it back N forth look for movement.
Check tie rod and other stuff to be sure.But those are the 3 most common issues.
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Re: "Wheel play",,,my steering wheel ,,,,questions.....
[Re: moretoys]
#131364
10/04/08 12:22 AM
10/04/08 12:22 AM
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 3,358
Berwyn, IL
challenger70
master
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master
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 3,358
Berwyn, IL
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It's not a flaming river box is it? I installed one and am having the exact problem you are, very scary when you really get moving. I am taking it out tomorrow and sending it back to them for a diagnosis. You can clearly see the play in the box. Just grab the steering shaft inside the engine bay with the column unlocked and wiggle back and forth you can see if the play is in the box or not. If they can't provide a box that works I am just going to get a rebuilt factory unit.
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Re: "Wheel play",,,my steering wheel ,,,,questions.....
[Re: moretoys]
#131365
10/04/08 11:17 AM
10/04/08 11:17 AM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,646
Ontario,Canada
firefighter3931
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,646
Ontario,Canada
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Quote:
(1)sloppy gearbox.can be adjusted.loosen top lock nut,turn the inner screw in.1 turn at a time,If you go too tight,then you will know by Not returning too center after a turn
(2)Pitman arm can be worn.Wiggle the steering wheel and look make sure the BIg nut didn't come loose at the gearbox,look for excessive play at the center link nut.
(3) steering coupler.attaches the steering column too the gearbox,Those do wear out,Again grab it and twist it back N forth look for movement.
Check tie rod and other stuff to be sure.But those are the 3 most common issues.
 #3 on this list is the most common issue....rag joint worn out. Flaming river sells a nice coupler which is what i went with.
Ron
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Re: "Wheel play",,,my steering wheel ,,,,questions.....
[Re: Whitey Nocar]
#131367
10/06/08 02:27 PM
10/06/08 02:27 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 556
Arkansas
GregGarner
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 556
Arkansas
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Don't forget to check the easy stuff first. On my car it turned out that the 3 big bolts that held the steering sector onto the car had worked loose!
GregGarner www.rt-eng.com Home of the mopar solid state limiter adn tach repair kit
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Re: "Wheel play",,,my steering wheel ,,,,questions.....
[Re: 69CHARGERMD]
#131368
10/06/08 02:41 PM
10/06/08 02:41 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,359
Buzzard County, FL
IronWolf
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,359
Buzzard County, FL
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Quote:
What would be the most common causes for my steering wheel to have excessive play in it ?
This is in my 69 Charger RT,,,,manual steering,,,,,
It is getting a bit scary to drive at times due to the amount of play in the wheel...
Steering box ????
if so,,,is this rebuild-able .... or should it be replaced,,,, ?
The front suspension is otherwise in good shape,,,so i dont "think" that is it,,,,,,,,,,,, ??
thanks,
Doug
How old are you ?
This steering wandering is kind of common to all cars of the 60's and 70's.
If you are a subscriber to Hemmings Muscle Machines, you'll find this is a common complaint.
I also find the loose steering annoying, but after rebuilding my coupler, tightening the steering box, etc. I have learned to live with it. At highway speeds, the sloppiness seems to resolve somewhat.
It's all part of the "are you experienced" experience, LOL. 
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Re: "Wheel play",,,my steering wheel ,,,,questions.....
[Re: IronWolf]
#131369
10/06/08 02:49 PM
10/06/08 02:49 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,982
Ansonia, CT
CJK440
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,982
Ansonia, CT
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Manual steering box adjustments consist of loosening the large nut shaped lock washer and adjusting the endplay/preload of the sectors shaft, then adjusting the stud and nut on the top.
I tried just the top adjustment once before and that itself didn't make a diff. Adjusting the big aluminum sector adjuster, then the pitman shaft preload fixed it for me.
2017 Contusion Blue Challenger T/A 392 M6 "BLKNBLU"
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Re: "Wheel play",,,my steering wheel ,,,,questions.....
[Re: 69CHARGERMD]
#131370
10/06/08 03:33 PM
10/06/08 03:33 PM
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,968
North Riverside IL & Lowell IN
GTXKen
super gas
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super gas
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,968
North Riverside IL & Lowell IN
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All my suspansion is good, new steering box (steer and gear) and its still sloppy. The play in mine is coming from the coupler. I don't care for this part of the "experience" and will probably replace the stock coupler with a u joint type coupler
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Re: "Wheel play",,,my steering wheel ,,,,questions.....
[Re: GTXKen]
#131371
10/06/08 05:27 PM
10/06/08 05:27 PM
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,536
o
wunderless
master
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master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,536
o
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I replaced the steering coupler, it got a little better.
Then recently I replaced upper and lower ball joints and outter tie rods, noticed a marked improvment.
But existing is basically all I do.
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Re: "Wheel play",,,my steering wheel ,,,,questions.....
[Re: CJK440]
#131372
10/06/08 09:07 PM
10/06/08 09:07 PM
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 577
Michigan
Whitey Nocar
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 577
Michigan
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If I remember correctly, Doug bought this car around 1993, so he most likey knows if something is feeling different. and no stranger to 1960's and '70's cars, I think he owned a 66 GTO in high school, a 70's camaro (that one might have been his mom'S) and had a different '69 Charger before this one.
I agree with the guy who said it's the Knuter valve. not that anyone cares
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