sloppy steering

ktcnyc

ktcnyc

Member
Sep 14, 2020
99
13
8
Dingmans Ferry, Pa. and NYC
Hello - I returned a few weeks ago from my very 1st trip in my 1977 Eleganza. Pretty nice time up to Maine and back to Pa via Rhode Island. The coach
has had many owners and they all put a lot of care and new parts into it along the way. My main complaint is a loose steering road feel at highway
speeds. A lot of 1970's steering corrections were required- not a very comfortable feel.
Is this just normal for a 1977 designed front end? Where might I look to firm things up?

Many Thanks for any suggestions.

KTC
--
Kevin Cloutier -'77 Eleganza II-455, 6 disk brakes, Edelbrock carb, headers, , resident of NYC and Dingmans Ferry, Pa.
'72 MGB-GT & '73 MGB convertible
Member GMCMI since 8/20
 
A couple of things to look for:
Is your steering gear box on center
Are the cinch clamps tight
And play in the steering cv joint or slip shaft.

On Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 6:31 PM kcloutier--- via Gmclist <

> Hello - I returned a few weeks ago from my very 1st trip in my 1977
> Eleganza. Pretty nice time up to Maine and back to Pa via Rhode Island. The
> coach
> has had many owners and they all put a lot of care and new parts into it
> along the way. My main complaint is a loose steering road feel at highway
> speeds. A lot of 1970's steering corrections were required- not a very
> comfortable feel.
> Is this just normal for a 1977 designed front end? Where might I look to
> firm things up?
>
> Many Thanks for any suggestions.
>
> KTC
> --
> Kevin Cloutier -'77 Eleganza II-455, 6 disk brakes, Edelbrock carb,
> headers, , resident of NYC and Dingmans Ferry, Pa.
> '72 MGB-GT & '73 MGB convertible
> Member GMCMI since 8/20
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--
Bruce Hart
1976 Palm Beach
Milliken, Co
GMC=Got More Class
 
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/steering-gear-box/p52883-set-steering-box-highpoint.html

> A couple of things to look for:
> Is your steering gear box on center
> Are the cinch clamps tight
> And play in the steering cv joint or slip shaft.
>
>
>
> On Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 6:31 PM kcloutier--- via Gmclist <

>
>> Hello - I returned a few weeks ago from my very 1st trip in my 1977
>> Eleganza. Pretty nice time up to Maine and back to Pa via Rhode Island. The
>> coach
>> has had many owners and they all put a lot of care and new parts into it
>> along the way. My main complaint is a loose steering road feel at highway
>> speeds. A lot of 1970's steering corrections were required- not a very
>> comfortable feel.
>> Is this just normal for a 1977 designed front end? Where might I look to
>> firm things up?
>>
>> Many Thanks for any suggestions.
>>
>> KTC
>> --
>> Kevin Cloutier -'77 Eleganza II-455, 6 disk brakes, Edelbrock carb,
>> headers, , resident of NYC and Dingmans Ferry, Pa.
>> '72 MGB-GT & '73 MGB convertible
>> Member GMCMI since 8/20
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>>
>
>
> --
> Bruce Hart
> 1976 Palm Beach
> Milliken, Co
> GMC=Got More Class
>
>

--
Bruce Hart
1976 Palm Beach
Milliken, Co
GMC=Got More Class
 
When everything is right it will drive like a car!
Getting there may be challenging, there are more variables than just about
any other vehicle.
I had a coach all new parts, aligned twice by Jim Bounds still did not drive
like I wanted. I had another one
worn loose front end, it drove much better with no attention.
You should get a lot of responses, this is an issue that has been given a
tremendous amount of attention over
the years on the Net.

Marsh Wilkes
Perry Fl

-----Original Message-----
From: kcloutier--- via Gmclist
Sent: Tuesday, November 10, 2020 8:30 PM
To: gmclist
Cc: kcloutier
Subject: [GMCnet] sloppy steering

Hello - I returned a few weeks ago from my very 1st trip in my 1977
Eleganza. Pretty nice time up to Maine and back to Pa via Rhode Island. The
coach
has had many owners and they all put a lot of care and new parts into it
along the way. My main complaint is a loose steering road feel at highway
speeds. A lot of 1970's steering corrections were required- not a very
comfortable feel.
Is this just normal for a 1977 designed front end? Where might I look to
firm things up?

Many Thanks for any suggestions.

KTC
--
Kevin Cloutier -'77 Eleganza II-455, 6 disk brakes, Edelbrock carb, headers,
, resident of NYC and Dingmans Ferry, Pa.
'72 MGB-GT & '73 MGB convertible
Member GMCMI since 8/20

_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
Look over this entry into the forum.
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/1/#search/alex+ferrara/FMfcgxmTpLZkfJvRZNjTCCHmHkMDLqCW

>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/steering-gear-box/p52883-set-steering-box-highpoint.html
>

>
>> A couple of things to look for:
>> Is your steering gear box on center
>> Are the cinch clamps tight
>> And play in the steering cv joint or slip shaft.
>>
>>
>>
>> On Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 6:31 PM kcloutier--- via Gmclist <

>>
>>> Hello - I returned a few weeks ago from my very 1st trip in my 1977
>>> Eleganza. Pretty nice time up to Maine and back to Pa via Rhode Island. The
>>> coach
>>> has had many owners and they all put a lot of care and new parts into it
>>> along the way. My main complaint is a loose steering road feel at highway
>>> speeds. A lot of 1970's steering corrections were required- not a very
>>> comfortable feel.
>>> Is this just normal for a 1977 designed front end? Where might I look
>>> to firm things up?
>>>
>>> Many Thanks for any suggestions.
>>>
>>> KTC
>>> --
>>> Kevin Cloutier -'77 Eleganza II-455, 6 disk brakes, Edelbrock carb,
>>> headers, , resident of NYC and Dingmans Ferry, Pa.
>>> '72 MGB-GT & '73 MGB convertible
>>> Member GMCMI since 8/20
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> GMCnet mailing list
>>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Bruce Hart
>> 1976 Palm Beach
>> Milliken, Co
>> GMC=Got More Class
>>
>>
>
> --
> Bruce Hart
> 1976 Palm Beach
> Milliken, Co
> GMC=Got More Class
>
>

--
Bruce Hart
1976 Palm Beach
Milliken, Co
GMC=Got More Class
 
We had the same problem here in El Paso with our coaches. We replaced the steering box, no more problem
Marcel in El Paso

I Paso

Sent from my iPad

>
> Hello - I returned a few weeks ago from my very 1st trip in my 1977 Eleganza. Pretty nice time up to Maine and back to Pa via Rhode Island. The coach
> has had many owners and they all put a lot of care and new parts into it along the way. My main complaint is a loose steering road feel at highway
> speeds. A lot of 1970's steering corrections were required- not a very comfortable feel.
> Is this just normal for a 1977 designed front end? Where might I look to firm things up?
>
> Many Thanks for any suggestions.
>
> KTC
> --
> Kevin Cloutier -'77 Eleganza II-455, 6 disk brakes, Edelbrock carb, headers, , resident of NYC and Dingmans Ferry, Pa.
> '72 MGB-GT & '73 MGB convertible
> Member GMCMI since 8/20
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
All the suggestions are good ones -- I should know, having tried them all!
But the single thing I found to help most was installing "True-Tracks" on
the middle suspension arms. If you're not familiar with them they're cam
followers (very wide roller bearings) mounted to the ends of the
suspension arms which run in vertical guides bolted to the frame rails.
They prevent the suspension arms from flexing laterally, as they do
continually during driving. They also tend to compensate for excess play
in the suspension arm bushings, but don't let that keep you from
religiously greasing those. Don't worry about putting them on the real
arms -- those wheels follow along behind the rest.

Call Jim Kanomata.

JWID,

Ken H.

On Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 9:13 PM Marcel Bourgon via Gmclist <

> We had the same problem here in El Paso with our coaches. We replaced the
> steering box, no more problem
> Marcel in El Paso
>
> I Paso
>
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
> > On Nov 10, 2020, at 6:30 PM, kcloutier--- via Gmclist <

> >
> > Hello - I returned a few weeks ago from my very 1st trip in my 1977
> Eleganza. Pretty nice time up to Maine and back to Pa via Rhode Island. The
> coach
> > has had many owners and they all put a lot of care and new parts into it
> along the way. My main complaint is a loose steering road feel at highway
> > speeds. A lot of 1970's steering corrections were required- not a very
> comfortable feel.
> > Is this just normal for a 1977 designed front end? Where might I look
> to firm things up?
> >
> > Many Thanks for any suggestions.
> >
> > KTC
> > --
> > Kevin Cloutier -'77 Eleganza II-455, 6 disk brakes, Edelbrock carb,
> headers, , resident of NYC and Dingmans Ferry, Pa.
> > '72 MGB-GT & '73 MGB convertible
> > Member GMCMI since 8/20
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
Bruce is correct to look at how important the gear box must be clocked at
12 O'clock.
The Majority of front end shops do not understand how important it is ..

On Tue, Nov 10, 2020 at 6:13 PM Marcel Bourgon via Gmclist <

> We had the same problem here in El Paso with our coaches. We replaced the
> steering box, no more problem
> Marcel in El Paso
>
> I Paso
>
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
> > On Nov 10, 2020, at 6:30 PM, kcloutier--- via Gmclist <

> >
> > Hello - I returned a few weeks ago from my very 1st trip in my 1977
> Eleganza. Pretty nice time up to Maine and back to Pa via Rhode Island. The
> coach
> > has had many owners and they all put a lot of care and new parts into it
> along the way. My main complaint is a loose steering road feel at highway
> > speeds. A lot of 1970's steering corrections were required- not a very
> comfortable feel.
> > Is this just normal for a 1977 designed front end? Where might I look
> to firm things up?
> >
> > Many Thanks for any suggestions.
> >
> > KTC
> > --
> > Kevin Cloutier -'77 Eleganza II-455, 6 disk brakes, Edelbrock carb,
> headers, , resident of NYC and Dingmans Ferry, Pa.
> > '72 MGB-GT & '73 MGB convertible
> > Member GMCMI since 8/20
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.gmcrvparts.com
1-800-752-7502
 
Hello Bruce - Thank you for the suggestions. That link to google mail/alex ferrara does not cooperate. Is there another way to read it?

Kevin
--
Kevin Cloutier -'77 Eleganza II-455, 6 disk brakes, Edelbrock carb, headers, , resident of NYC and Dingmans Ferry, Pa.
'72 MGB-GT & '73 MGB convertible
Member GMCMI since 8/20
 
Kevin,
Call me and I will have Nick or dan send them Via email.

On Wed, Nov 11, 2020 at 8:18 AM kcloutier--- via Gmclist <

> Hello Bruce - Thank you for the suggestions. That link to google mail/alex
> ferrara does not cooperate. Is there another way to read it?
>
> Kevin
> --
> Kevin Cloutier -'77 Eleganza II-455, 6 disk brakes, Edelbrock carb,
> headers, , resident of NYC and Dingmans Ferry, Pa.
> '72 MGB-GT & '73 MGB convertible
> Member GMCMI since 8/20
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.gmcrvparts.com
1-800-752-7502
 
I replaced my gearbox with a rebuilt one from a reputable supplier. The play in the steering was not improved. I took the old 150,000 mi gear box to
the bench and followed the service manual adjustment procedure with an inch lb torque wrench and and had marked improvement in the play in the
steering. This was after all play above the gear box in the steering shaft had been eliminated. Do the gearbox play adjustment before replacing the
gear box.
 
I chased that "steers like a car" feeling until my checkbook gave out - and then was squeezed for more! Despite Jim and Nick's best efforts, no luck.
It rides better than it did, but that's likely the new shocks, it steers somewhat better but still wanders around far too much. I thought it might
be because I'm spoiled by the fine handling of our Tesla, but it doesn't even track near to our old Toyota Sequoia. To compound the issue our town
has narrowed the width of our streets for bicycle access to pucker size!

There are happy memories waiting to be made in these fun old coaches. Don't let it get you down like me - I'm still wallowing in a pit of
disappointment over my own decisions to spend so much. It's safer than it was and no worse than before. A new project (re-doing the ceiling again)
will make me love her all over again. Fitting a new Viair compressor was like our first date -- again!
--
Larry Davick
A Mystery Machine
1976(ish) Palm Beach
Fremont, Ca
Howell EFI + EBL + Electronic Dizzy
 
Larry,
I don't know what your problem is. Better minds than mine will address that. But, I drive a '73 with no new front end parts and it goes down the road
with two finger steering like my 2016 Camry. These GMC's were meant to drive and any problem can be corrected if identified correctly. Stay with it.
You'll win.
--
Douglas & Virginia Smith
dsmithy18 at gmail
Lincoln Nebraska
’73 “Canyonlands” since ‘95: "Wanabizo";
Quadrabag/6 wheel disks/3:70 final/Paterson QuadraJet/Thorley’s/Alloy wheels(finally!)/Sundry other
 
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Get your shine on at www.cruzingear.co
Applied GMC

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