Reproduction Parts for 1916-1964 Chevrolet Passenger Cars & 1918-1987 Chevrolet & GMC Trucks



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Joined: Nov 2010
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birtch Offline OP
Shade Tree Mechanic
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Shade Tree Mechanic
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The steering on my 1950 Chevy Coupe is a little sloppy. Is there some way to adjust it to tighten the steering?
Thanks

Filling Station - Chevrolet & GMC Reproduction Parts


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Have you checked your service manual. There is a procedure that shows how to adjust it.


1946 Chevy 3100 1/2 Ton Pickup Purchased 11/18/17 Sold 9/20
1948 Chevy Fleetmaster Coupe, Purchased 6/20/2010
1965 Chevy ll 350 Purchased Feb 2021. 3-speed Saginaw Hurst Floor Shifter 3.08 Rear End

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Shade Tree Mechanic
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Could be a worn idler arm that needs rebuilding.

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Oil Can Mechanic
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With two 1950s I have seen this several times. First, adjust the steering gear box per the service manual. Then find a friend to sit in the drivers seat. With the car on the ground, have friend softly rock the steering wheel back and forth, not hard enough to actually move the tires. An inch or two of steering wheel movement is not a problem, more, you have something loose. You then look from above and below to where you see where your problem(s) are. The idler arm (mounts to the front axle) is often the issue, and it should not move up or down. Looseness can also be in the tie rod ends (springs broken), or a worn pitman arm bearing in the steering gear box. The pitman arm should rotate but not move forward or back. Check the king pins too.

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I had the same problem on my 1951 Chevrolet. Replaced the worn idler arm assembly and had the front end aligned. That cured the problem.

laugh wink beer2


The Mangy Old Mutt

"If It's Not Junk.....It's Not Treasure!"
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The check for looseness in the idler(center steering) arm with the wheels on the ground have some one move the steering wheel back and forth brisklt while you watch the arm. If if flops up and down it needs an idler arm repair kit.
If there is free movement is the steering connecting rod (drag link) a spring in the drag link end is broken.
If the steering pitman shaft is moving in and out the steering gear needs adjusting or pitman shaft and bushing replacement.
Common for the idler arm to be worn. should be lubricated every 1000 miles.
Common for the steering gear to be worn due to lack of lubrication.


Gene Schneider
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[quote=Junkyard Dog]I had the same problem on my 1951 Chevrolet. Replaced the worn idler arm assembly and had the front end aligned. That cured the problem.

:D ;) :beer2: [/quote]
What type of shop did your alignment? I cant find one in my area that could do my 51. I ended up making some turntables and did it myself. But would really like to get it in a shop and have my work checked

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I took my '51 to a local front end alignment shop and he did the work on replacing the idler arm assembly and aligning the front end. Any good alignment shop can do the job.

laugh wink beer2


The Mangy Old Mutt

"If It's Not Junk.....It's Not Treasure!"

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