Not sure if this is where it belongs but it seems to fit here best so here we go. I seem to have a dead spot in my steering on my '92 RS. About 2 inches or so of steering wheel movement has no feeling in it. When I hold the wheel in the center it feels dead like it isnt connected to anything. I watched the wheels while I was moving the wheel in hte dead zone and it is moving them, but I can't feel the movement. Is this normal for these cars? Is there any way to fix it?

 

I'd be curious to know what other people's experince with this is also. My car seems to have the same sort of feeling to it, although I'm hoping it will change some when I install my new steering brace from TDS next week So does anyone else's car feel like this?

-Paul

 

I've got a bit of that in my Iroc now. There's a procedure to adjust your steering box, tighten it up a bit. I just can't remember where it is right now.


If I find it, I'll post it.


Ed

 

Adjustment for the steering box requires the steering box to be removed. If not, overadjustment could be caused. I've had people try and tell me that they adjusted theirs in the car but later I find out they had a near death experience doing so. If the pinion gear is overtightened the box WILL lock up and its very scary when the steering wheel won't turn. GM's service calls for the box to be on a bench. I'll print it out tomorrow at work.

 

No4NJunk is very right in that bad things can result from overtightening. That being said, mine was adjusted while on the car, but untortunately, I missed how it was done. I asked him how its done and thought I understood, but when I looked at it I realized I didn't...

 

I printed the article. but first I'll explain how to do it in the car first.

I claim no responsibility for what happens.

With that out of the way you'll need some allen wrenches and some metric wrenches (forgot size and too lazy to go look). basically you'll look down on the steering box and see an adjusting nut on the top. It has a pitman shaft endplay
adjuster through the middle of the nut. put the allen wrench in and hold it while loosening the nut. Then tighten (very little) the allen. Then, holding the allen still, tighten the nut. fire the car up and turn the wheel to replenish any displaced fluid. Then test drive. Repeat until you achieve desired results. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN. If you feel the steering bind at low speeds (before you get out of the parking lot) then do not go on the open road. Loosen up and retry.

Now for the On bench method.(this is exact copy)

1) Rotate stub shaft from stop to stop, counting the number of turns, then turn back exactly 1/2 number of turns to locate center of travel.
2) Measure combined ball and thrust bearing preload using an inch pound torque wrench to rotate stub shaft through the over center position.
3) Tighten the adjusting screw while rotating the stub shaft with torque wrench until torque reading obtained is specified inch pounds greater than combined ball and thrust bearing preload (6"-10" pounds). Note that total steering gear preload must not exceed specs (18" pounds).

 

Great info guys. Thanks for all the help!

-Paul

 

I had noticed a lil' dead space in my wheel too - I always wondered how to fix that...

 

I always thought the box was just worn out, nice to know I can asjust it now, as soon as I find my 15mm wrench

Any guess on how much a 'little bit' of an adjustment is? I'm gonna try 1/4 turns on the allen and see how it responds. Is there anyone who has adjusted it and remembers how much they have had to turn it?

 

15mm? Good night.

 

go slow, 1/8 turn, then drive it, if its still bad, repeat. It's easy to overdo. May seem like a hassle, but you don't want to take a shortcut here.

 

Did I say 15mm cause I meant 16mm. I just did this adjustment today, it made a big difference in the feel of the steering, mine was way way off, I must have put a full turn in the thing. I think I could go a little bit tighter but I hesitate because I definetely don't want to adjust it too far.

 

From the Chiltons manual that I have.

*warning these are huge pic's*

http://www.nethirdgen.org/kat/steeri...20page%201.jpg
http://www.nethirdgen.org/kat/steeri...20page%202.jpg
http://www.nethirdgen.org/kat/steeri...20page%203.jpg
http://www.nethirdgen.org/kat/steeri...20page%204.jpg
http://www.nethirdgen.org/kat/steeri...20page%205.jpg
http://www.nethirdgen.org/kat/steeri...20page%206.jpg

Kat