1967 Monza loose steering ?

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Charlie
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1967 Monza loose steering ?

Post by Charlie »

Hi again,

The front feels looser than I remember it being last time I drove the 1967 Monza I'm resurrecting.

Is there a way to measure just how loose it is ?

How big a job is it to repair it ? I just want to know how big a hole I'm digging, so to speak ?

She feels "wobbly" even at low speeds and wheels are fairly well balanced but I don't think that's an issue.

Thanks
Charlie
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terribleted
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Re: 1967 Monza loose steering ?

Post by terribleted »

Steering loosness can result from a number of causes. You say it feels "wobbly even at low speeds" loose steering components can cause a shimmy (where the wheels are rapidly moving left and right). Flat spotted tires from sitting can cause an all speed wobble or shake as well. Ball joint wear can also cause shake.

Check out the front suspension and steering. Two people is best so one can move things and the other can look for slop. First before jacking the car grab the tops of the L and R front wheel and strongly try to move them in and out while observing the upper ball joint for play. Jack the front wheel off the ground and support the car on jackstands for safety. grab the wheels top and bottom and flex them in and out again. Observe wheel bearing play. Some play here at the wheel bearing is normal but only very slight play readjust wheel bearings if needed. Apply a jack under each control arm slupporting that side of the car slightly to unload the weight on the ball joints. Again with hands top and bottom of the tire move in and out and look for Ball joint slop this time top and bottom. Inspect the inner control arm bushings for wear and bushing dry rot replace as needed. Next with the car back on both jack stands grab a tire for and aft and push in and out . Observe the steering linkage at all joints for slop. Pay particular attention to the idler arm and and likely the most common cause of Corvair steering slop, the pitman arm bushing. Replace worn parts as needed.

Loose steering as in the steering wheel moves a long way before moving the wheels (causes wander more than any shake) can be adjusted at the adjuster on the top of the steering box unless the box is too worn (many are pretty worn), see shop manual for procedure.
Corvair guy since 1982. I have personally restored at least 20 Vairs, many of them restored ground up.
Currently working full time repairing Corvairs and restoring old cars.
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Located in Snellville, Georgia
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cvair4life
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Re: 1967 Monza loose steering ?

Post by cvair4life »

Do you happen to have a shop manual or know where I can get one? When I say have I mean that you could scan and put up here... :)
1966 Corsa Coupe
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Charlie
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Re: 1967 Monza loose steering ?

Post by Charlie »

Manual for a 1965, yes, supplement for 1968, not so much (used to have a full set, but I think it's gone now)
What do you need ?
Charlie
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Charlie
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Re: 1967 Monza steering box ?

Post by Charlie »

I'm looking for a non-tele, non-quick, steering box for a 1967 Monza.

Reasoning :

I have about 30 degrees play in the steering wheel and no motion of the steering box arm down yonder, plus fresh oil dripping from the end of that shaft.

No vertical movement is observed in any steering linkage joint - relay rod,
idler arm and tie rods.

However, when turning steering wheel through about 30 degrees of "free play"
there is no movement of wheels or of steering arm from box either.

I did notice wet oil on lower end of steering box shaft though, which is not
good, I'm thinking ?

Here is a video of the movement of the linkage :
http://www.yourbuyersinn.com/Cars/Corva ... ox256k.wmv

The steering arm from box looks wet, and has fresh oil on end of its shaft
That seems to look like the steering box is needing attention, hopefully
just lash but maybe replacement ?

Thanks
Charlie
Last edited by Charlie on Sat Aug 21, 2010 6:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Scott H
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Re: 1967 Monza loose steering ?

Post by Scott H »

I can check at my friends house. He has several LM parts cars. I don't know the variances (if any) in the different steering boxes, will a 66 work?
Scott
1960 Monza Coupe
1965 Evening Orchid Corsa Turbo (project)
1961 Rampside (project)
1964 Spyder coupe (patina car, running)
1964 faux Spyder (project/parts car)
1964 Monza (parts car)
1963 Monza (parts car)
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cvair4life
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Re: 1967 Monza loose steering ?

Post by cvair4life »

Heya Charlie. I'm going to work my front end over probably next month and was just curious what the shop manual procedure is that you mentioned for adjusting the adjuster on the steering box.
1966 Corsa Coupe
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terribleted
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Re: 1967 Monza loose steering ?

Post by terribleted »

Yup sounds like a steering box to me as well:/
Corvair guy since 1982. I have personally restored at least 20 Vairs, many of them restored ground up.
Currently working full time repairing Corvairs and restoring old cars.
https://www.facebook.com/tedsautorestoration/

Located in Snellville, Georgia
cnicol
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Re: 1967 Monza loose steering ?

Post by cnicol »

Did you ever get this resolved? Note that the Flaming River reproduction box (new) is available in regular or quick versions (same price) and is a direct bolt-in for a '67.
'61 140 PG Rampside
'66 Rear Alum V8 4-dr
'60 Monza PG coupe (sold, sniff, sniff)
'66 Corsa Fitch Sprint Conv. (First car 1971, recently repurchased)
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cvair4life
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Re: 1967 Monza loose steering ?

Post by cvair4life »

cnicol wrote:Did you ever get this resolved? Note that the Flaming River reproduction box (new) is available in regular or quick versions (same price) and is a direct bolt-in for a '67.
And where might this steering box be acquired?
1966 Corsa Coupe
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Am-Iron
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Re: 1967 Monza loose steering ?

Post by Am-Iron »

And where might this steering box be acquired?
I searched Flaming River and their site has them for $425
Check out my FB Page! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Corvair-O ... 0804308827" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
swi66
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Re: 1967 Monza loose steering ?

Post by swi66 »

I had a horribly loose steering box in my 67 several years ago.
Tried adjusting through the access plug in the trunk, but that only made it bind.
Got a used one through Corvair Ranch, but had to send in my old one as exchange.
No problems since.

The leakage you see is most likely due to someone putting gear oil into the box as lubricant, or maybe even motor oil.
Grease from a grease gun is too thick, and gear oil is too thin.
The correct stuff is no longer available.
STP is about the right viscosity.
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