Hello,

I just had a rebuilt steering box installed in my Trans Am. The toe was reset, but the alignment still feels off. Is it enough to just adjust the toe, or should a full alignment be done when the box is replaced. Also, are there any special things that need to be done to center the pitman arm, etc? It is easier to turn right than left. The guys says he checked the alignment and it was fine.

Thanks!

 

A full alignment is always a good idea after doing anything with the front end.

 

Normally I would agree, but the front end was just aligned last month when I rebuilt the front end. I am not aware of any reason to move the tops of the struts while replacing the steering box, so the other two adjustments should not have changed. He said he gave me a break since he only needed to do the toe and charged me $30 instead of $50. I think I am going to give him a $20 and tell him to do it right. The toe is still off anyway, the wheel is not centered and the car drifts slightly to the right.

 

That might be that the steering wheel might have been a little cocked with the box was put in. Did you put in a new Idler arm, or pitman arm when you did the box? And also check the tierods too.

 

The pitman arm was not replaced, it is the original. The idler arm was replaced last month along with the tie rods and centerlink. If the wheel was not straight when the box was installed, will it create problems?

 

Absolutely. It should have not been moved when the input shaft was reattached to the Box

 

Well, I just talked to the guy who did the work and he said that the alignment was good and that the box is probably bad. Does this make any sense? The wheel is easier to turn to the right than the left. He suggested driving it some more to see if it breaks in and corrects itself a little, and then he can compensate a bit with the alignment. I don't know, I am tempted to just take it somewhere else, I have never heard of that.

 

The box shouldn't need breaking in. The Power Steering might need to be bled, but not broken it. The box could be bad, if that's the case have him, swap it out for a new one

 

I got the box from a friend who works at Lappens. I don't think the guy will replace it for free, and I would hate to pay him another $230 to switch it out again. Anybody want to buy the car? It is in the classifieds under 91 TA in MA. I will give you all a really good deal. Only needs a new steering box! Make an offer!

 

Is the steering wheel centered? Also, when you change a box you may need to have the steering centered - it's done with the outer tie rod ends. I had another box put in my SS and when it did the same thing that your's is doing the tech told me the that the box "was bad". Wrong. I took it to another shop and had the steering centered, and the problem(s) were gone. HTH.
Larry.

 

The steering wheel is definately off center. It actually has slightly more turning radius towards the left than the right, which makes sense, because the wheel is a little to the right to begin with. I am bringing it back this weekend to have it corrected. It feels pretty good other than that. I will have a look at the alignment numbers myself, because I know that no matter what this guy claims, they have to be way off.

 

The alignment can be right and the problem could still be there. If the steering linkage isn't centered with the wheels straight you'll have more "leverage" to one side than the other. Have him make sure that the toe in and camber settings are the same on both sides also. If it tracks straight then the alignment is probably ok / close.

 

I see what you are saying. What I meant by alignment, was a full alignment. I just had one on the WRX where they measure the rear and then match the front to that and also measure the steering wheel somehow too. I don't think this guy has the equipment, but if he makes the wheel straight and then adjusts the alignment from there, it should be pretty darn close. If not, I will take it somewhere else and hopefully they can get it right. It really doesn't track straight, it goes off to the right if I let go of the wheel. Thanks for the help everybody.

 

When you tell him about it going right let him know if it's a drift or a pull, this will help diagnose where a problem is. With a drift it'll slowly go to the right or left, with a pull it will almost immediately go to the right or left and you can usually feel it tugging on the wheel while you drive. Good luck, let us know what happens.
Larry.

 

I had the same problem with a rebuilt steering box. But first you have to make sure the flats line up on the steering box and rag joint.

Your idler arm and pitman arms are supposed to be parallel to the frame. It is possible to center the wheel and have the car go straight with these arms off to one side, but then you'll get the turning radius issues you described. Some techs will explain this to you, others will just make the car go straight, and others just don't do anything.

I would take a good look at the pitman and idler arms along with the steering shaft and explain that to the tech. The steering box is only supposed to be 'rebuilt' with the gears meshing in a certain way, it CAN be put back together the wrong way. I obviously can't say what is wrong in your case, just pointing out that you can have a box that isn't correct and get the steering wheel straight at the same time.

 

Well I got the car back and the steering feels great. I guess all it took was tweaking the alignment a little. Man, I am really glad it wasn't the steering box. I would hate to have to go through all that again. Thanks for all of the input guys.