SlowAZ28

I'm new here to the 3rd gen camaro, I picked up my first a couple weeks ago and I've started trying to get it restored to its original glory. The first thing I've noticed is very sloppy steering, I just finished a front end rebuild kit from Hawks and its a little tighter but not where It should be. Not the most knowledgable car guy but the best way I can describe it besides a fair amount of steering wheel play, is a delay between turning the wheel (changing lanes) and when the wheels actually begin to move. Is this a common issue with these cars? Best recommended fix? Am I even making any sense with my crappy description of the problem? Thanks in advance.

novaderrik

what all did you replace? there are a lot of moving parts in the steering linkage..

also, what kinds of cars are you used to driving? even the cheapest econoboxes from the last 15 years or so have a tighter steering feel than a third gen..

Ron U.S.M.C.

Have someone watch the steering column in the bay for slop when you turn the wheel back and forth.
Look at were the steering box connects to the body for movement or cracks.

SlowAZ28

Centerlink
Idler Arm
Inner Tie Rod Ends
Outer Tie Rod Ends
Spohn Extreme-Duty 4140 Chrome Moly Tie Rod Adjusters

That's what I installed today. I've experienced wheel play before but it was a gradual response before. This feels different. Once the steering input makes it way to the wheels it's not a gradual thing, the car responds quickly in the new direction but then when I go to straighten the wheel I get what feels like a dead zone of no response before it reacts and I get rapid response again. ive been keeping to the city streets for now, I took it on the bypass around town (55mph) and when I hit the curve it began to drift into the outside lane, once it responded it about took me onto the rumble strips the other way immedietly. The centerline was worn and I thought the flex I was seeing at the tie rods was causing slop but that wasn't it.

SlowAZ28

Ron, I get a creaking noise from the steering shaft , it looks like it flexes a little where it bolts to the body but Im not sure what I can do to address it.

Ron U.S.M.C.

There can be play at the knuckle on the driveshaft in the bay.


The steering brace (wonder bar)was placed on some(should have been all) of our cars because of the steering box actually was cracking where it mounts to the car.


I installed this steering brace in place of stock. = https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/afte...r-bar-1-a.html
Its a nice piece and you might as well add it to the collection.
Maybe a strut tower brace as well.


I'm not saying through parts at it but think of it as protecting your investment.
Besides who dose not like shiny new parts......

SlowAZ28

I was actually just looking at that product over on Hawks... The front end kit I installed today was UMI and so far I'm impressed with their stuff. Well built and very easy install. As far as throwing money at it, it's a toy and toys cost money. I can't complain though. I bought a running 5.7 TPI with minimal issues for $750 so I'm still under budget with every dollar I spend on it. I'll get a wonderbar shipped in this week and see what it does. Thanks for your help and I'll post when I know more once its on.

greenyone

iTrader: (1)

You may want to try adjusting your steering box. Lots of threads on the subject here on TGO and plenty of how to videos on youtube.