sonny_burnett

69 corvette with manual steering, doesn't come back to center when driving, steering is very heavy even when moving. Thought the steering box was bad (which it is) and have had it rebuilt with new gears, it's being shipped back now. However, when we disconnected the box it seemed like there was a lot of drag when trying to push the tires and I'm not sure just fixing the box will solve all the problems. Most of the steering components are new, including tie rod ends and bearings in the steering knuckles. How much resistance is normal with the steering box removed when turning the tires left and right from outside the car? The car has been aligned at least twice with no change in steering, what besides the steering box and alignment could cause this?

MelWff

what are bearings in the steering knuckles? How about the ball joints and idler arm and center link, did you check them? Is everything greased?

TheSkunkWorks

noonie

Poor quality causing stiffness from especially Moog (always had a good reputation) has been an increasing problem the last couple years.

Without the box, movement should be super easy

sonny_burnett

quick update, disconnected tie rods from relay and wheels turn freely. Still lots of drag when moving the relay rod. It appears the drag is coming from the idler arm, which is the only thing connected to the relay rod right now. This is my brothers car, and he says the idler arm is new, not sure what brand, we didn't install it. I'll tell him to grease it liberally and try again, if that doesn't help any recommendations on which idler arm to replace it with? Also, anybody know where to find instructions on how to put it all back together? We both have the AIM, not sure if that's enough or not. Thanks for the help.