Abubaca

iTrader: (3)

OK quick background. Front suspension/steering was rock solid. In fact I spoke with the previous owner and asked if he'd replaced steering components because it was so tight. Added LS1 front brakes, new ball joints, springs and Koni's, as well as tie rods and adjusters. Each wheel pivots smooth and freely around the strut axis without the tie rod attached.While test driving, everything operated smooth and tight, but steering effort increased and wheels didn't recenter. Assumed this was due to my home cooked alignment. Upon having a pro alignment done, matching the "hard Street" specs floating around (which I've used on other thirdgens) the problem remains.

Here are my thoughts.
Steering effort increases, as well as the wheels not returning to center, the problem is going both directions. From the driver down to the road, and from the road, back up to the driver, it makes me thing something is physically sticking/binding. My plan is to remove the steering linkage from the pitman arm and see if the wheels turn back and forth smoothly, without any bind. If there IS, well then I track it down. If not, I gotta feel like it's the steering box. I've found several threads on other forums describing this same thing as an overadjusted/tightened steering box, however I've never touch the box, so I don't know how that could've changed.

Any thoughts?????

obeymybird

iTrader: (4)

Sounds like it’s in the box brother.

Abubaca

iTrader: (3)

Update:
So just to better describe the problem, now that I've had a few test drives to directly address the issue. From dead center straight, I have about 45* of smooth steering wheel feel in either direction. Then I can feel the effort needed to turn the wheel increases. ....however... let's say I'm making a turn and the steering wheel is upside down as I hold the turn....when I go to let go of the wheel and let the car re-center, once again I have about 45* of smooth travel, then same as before, the needed effort increases. I can feel it if I try to re-center the wheels myself, and I can see it if I let car re-center on it's own. The steering wheel turns til it hits that friction, then won't recenter any further. Upon further test driving, I can hold the wheel in ANY position, and get this result.

Fast forward to last night. Wheel up in the air, in the garage. Car off. I can feel this same thing whether I'm behind the wheel on turning the whole front by the front wheels. Disconnected the pitman from the box and sure, effort decreased, but sure enough I can clearly still feel that "normal" spot, and then the area where friction/effort increases. Also, when the wheel is turning within that smooth/normal area, I can't HEAR anything going on, but as soon as it hits that tough spot, I can hear fluid SOMEWHERE in the system cycling through.

I can't see how this could NOT be the box at this point, but I don't understand what's actually happening. With all new ball joints and steering components, I won't if the added effort of all new components maybe was the straw that broke the camel's back. Maybe the box was on it's last legs? Some seal gave out maybe?

Will update...

Jaysz28

iTrader: (30)

Is the center link level/flat? Is it installed upside down??? (I do realize that you didn't mention changing it) The idler arm has an adjustable height to help keep it level with the pitman arm

I suggest placing a jack under each control arm to mimic the suspension being loaded - then rotate the steering wheel to help see what is binding up

I have never had a box give me that kind of issue. Usually they just get sloppy

perhaps one of the more seasoned suspension guys will chime in with better info

naf

iTrader: (7)

wheels up the ball joints will not be loaded.

best to put it on an alignment rack, disconnect the tie rods and check the effort required to turn each wheel. the rack will keep the ball joints loaded (seated in their 'cups'.)

my guess would be ball joints, even if they're new. maybe grease the crap out of each and see if anything changes.

Abubaca

iTrader: (3)

I removed the pitman arm from the box and completely removed the wheels/suspenion from the equation. Same problem, albeit obviously overall it got easier to turn. Just got off the phone with TurnOne and their tech guy says he can think of no scenario that would produce that problem. Still....there's not many pieces left. He suggested the intermediate steering shaft, but my gut tells me it's the box. Just doesn't FEEL like a physical friction issue... Feels hydraulic.

naf

iTrader: (7)

ah, so you still feel it in the steering wheel with the pitman arm disconnected?

i though you still felt it in the LINKAGE with the pitman arm disconnected.

definitely check the intermediate shaft and rag joint along with the bearing at the firewall (it's really a bushing and a good idea to replace it with the Astro Van bearing). with the intermediate shaft out, check for any binding in the steering wheel.

if all looks good probably the box at this point. you can back off the top adjuster by a quarter turn see if anything changes.

usually when the box is over adjusted it wears down and gets sloppy, causes over center mushiness.

Abubaca

iTrader: (3)

Yeah.....I'll check everything you suggested. It's definitely somewhere between the steering wheel and the box.

Abubaca

iTrader: (3)

So I started the car up and cycled the wheel/box full lock to full lock several times. It felt perfect. ....and now that I think about some loose/tight sensation when turning the wheel with the car off, it occurred to me that I don't very often turn the wheel with the car off and really don't know WHAT is normal.

Is it possible that the 4 new ball joints on each end of the new tie rods are so tight that they'd cause an issue?

Abubaca

iTrader: (3)

So after doing some research, it appears that there ARE in fact several instances (according to the internet) of new tie rods being so tight as to negatively affect steering. Not saying this is or is NOT my issue....but since I threw the possibility out there......figured I'd report what I found after looking it up.

Abubaca

iTrader: (3)

I had a friend (who is a pro-mechanic and fellow muscle car hottrodder guy, for whatever that's worth) look over the suspension and drive the car a little. He felt pretty good about it all just being new and tight, and that there was nothing to worry about other than just getting some miles on it. He was FAR less concerned than me, lol. He said it was common for it to be a little tight and not to worry. Maybe I made an issue over nothing. Hopefully that's all it is.

Abubaca

iTrader: (3)

So I replaced the idler and center link. I know I should've just done it all, but the steering was so good BEFORE any wrenching...didn't wanna do it for the sake of doing it. Well I replaced 'em, so definitely needed another alignment, PLUS, I found a mechanic/alignment guy who's done work over the years for various SCCA and other track cars, and apparently sets up a lot of the "regular" track cars in the area. He went through everything, drove the car, (and obviously realigned) and he said the stiffness was definitely just the new joints needing to be broken in. Car drives great! Suspension is AWESOME, though to be fair I haven't really pushed it yet.

Unless something else develops, I'll consider this issue closed.