<VV> Hitch in Steering

[RoboMan91324@aol.com]

Hi Joe,

First, the qualifier.  You say the problem is intermittent so Murphy's Law of 
Mechanics applies here.  "While you are inspecting the bad part in operation, 
it will not exhibit the problem."

You say that the problem only shows up at the "straight-ahead" position so, 
it probably isn't the bearings in the column or the coupling which will pass 
any "bad" position more than once in a lock-to-lock turn.  However, your 
steering spends more time in the straight-ahead position and the intermittent nature 
of the problem may make this logic moot.

The fact that many parts are "new-ish" may prevent you from looking where the 
problem really is.  It is rare but parts can be bad right from the box or a 
defect can show up while they are still new-ish.  Sometimes a part can hang up 
on something during installation and become loose soon after when real loads 
occur.  I suggest that you check all parts in the steering/suspension as if 
none are new-ish.  The fact that the problem happens while moving could indicate 
that the problem is in the control arm bushings, strut rod, ball joints or 
even in the wheel bearings.  Do you have signs of unusual tire wear?  Keep in 
mind that the wheel will want to pull out at the bottom when turned outward and 
will push in at the bottom when turned inward.  Any play in the suspension 
components could show up when changing from the push to the pull situation which, 
by definition, occurs when moving through the straight-ahead position.

With that said, I agree that a suspect component is the steering box.  Again, 
if the problem weren't intermittent, narrowing down the search would be 
logical and progressive.  The good news/bad news is that you say the problem is 
getting worse.  If it becomes consistent, you will probably be able to trace it 
down.  I suggest that you play with the steering at the straight-ahead position 
to see if there is actually a very mild occurrence of the problem 
consistently.  If that is the case, see if it occurs with the wheels off the ground.  If 
it does, pop the tie rods off the wheel assemblies to eliminate or confirm the 
suspension parts as the source of the problem.  If the problem goes away, 
attach first one tie rod and then the other to see if the problem comes back with 
one wheel assembly attached.  Process of elimination.

In any case, good luck and keep us posted.
Doc
'60 Vette; '61 Rampside; '64 Spyder; '65 Greenbrier; '66 Corsa; '67 Nova SS; 
'68 Camaro ragtop
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In a message dated 04/13/04 7:41:16 PM Pacific Daylight Time, 
virtualvairs-request@corvair.org writes:

> Message: 4
> From: "N. Joseph Potts" <pottsf@msn.com>
> To: "Corvair List" <virtualvairs@skiblack.com>
> Date: Tue, 13 Apr 2004 20:58:39 -0400
> Subject: <VV> Hitch in Steering
> 
> My 66 has developed a subtle "hitch" in its steering that is evident at low 
> speeds and seems to occur somewhere around the straight-ahead position. It is 
> intermittent, getting worse (of course), and today made a very soft bang or 
> snap when letting the wheel turn past the point at which the hitch developed.
<snip>> 
>      The idler arm is original, but I don't suspect it because the steering 
> is so tight (as noted above). Should I suspect it?
>      My suspicions center on either the box or the coupling.
>      Any suggestions as to what I should address first? Thanks.
> 
> Joe Potts
> Miami, Florida USA
> 1966 Corsa coupe 140hp 4-speed with A/C