Got my front end checked out for like the 3rd time and was told everything is tight....bull****.....its loose as hell.....anyone have the same problem and firgured out what it was?.....i don't wanna replace all components of the front end, but if i can't get any answers i might have to.

1985 Trans Am Lg4

 

Steering Box!, and its fully adjustable, just don't over do it. I'm surprised whoever checked your car didn't check it or even try to convince you to replace it

Best bet is to reference a shop manual or see if anything is listed in the tech area, but the general rule is to have the front end of the car suspended, loosen the lock nut on the top centre of your gear box and gradually turn the adjuster (w/allen wrench) a bit at a time (clock wise), checking repeatedly for slop by visually checking the amount you can rotate the steering column (this is where you need help), without seeing rotation in the pitman arm. It is critical that you don't over tighten the adjuster and occasionally as you adjust, re tighten the lock nut and turn the steering from lock to lock (not running) and make sure you don't feel any tight spots. If you do, back it off a little bit.
Adjustments are very minute once you get close ie. less then an 1/8th of a turn. There are only three teeth on the gear and the amount of play is usually greater near the center line as that is where you do most of your driving, this is why it is important to check the full range of steering as you go.

Hope this is of some help.

K.

 

yes thx.....i will try it out

 

Hey Idle... i still have that 89 Iroc steering box...$100 and it's yours. We could meet up somewhere inbetween us. Let me know???

 

Hmm.. I didn't know about the adjustment... My car started pulling with the road a lot near theend of the summer.. I was thinking the center link... but it could be that adjustment... thanx dood

 

Yeah Kaz, i just wanna makes sure its the box, and if so i will grab it off ya for sure.

 

Sounds good Idle. Let me know.

 

are you talking about a really bad rattling noise?
is that what it is, the stearing box?

 

I have always thought my front end was/is a little too loose too....despite being checked out by a couple of people, including friends of mine who are mechanics.

Is adjusting the steering box going to make that much of a difference, if it gives the ilusion of it being a bit tighter, I might just try it out for myself

 

I have seen cases when the box gets to much play in it and requires replacing. Wether that is the case here I am unsure.

 

A bad center link can also put a large amount of slop into it. I had a bad center link and I got like 4 inches of play in the wheel.

 

what about a weak idle arm????

 

ok so put the new idle arm in yesterday and that was it, everything seems tighter. Thought i'd let you guys know incase some of you are experiencing the same problem.

 

Thanks Kevin....I am going to check that out on mine, but not until the spring....I thought about pulling it out of storage and brining it home yesterday to do some work on it but then I thought with my luck over the last little bit I would hitting some ice and end up slamming into a tree or something, ha ha.

 

Glad to hear you got it figured out Kev. Good work. She'll drive like new again.

Keiran