Re: Caster Adjustment Question

[Matt Haas <mhaas@xxxxxxx>]

60's power steering doesn't give much feedback and is way over boosted 
compared to modern cars. The steering should self center and since it 
doesn't something is wrong. The problem is either mechanical (bad 
alignment, binding, bent or worn parts, etc...) or hydraulic (internal 
pressure leaks in the steering box). The first thing you need to do is make 
sure the tires are properly inflated and then have it aligned. This may be 
all you need to do to fix the self-centering problem. Also, if the steering 
box or steering column has been removed from the car (and since it sounds 
like it's detailed nicely, one or both probably has), they may not be 
properly aligned which will cause the column to bind and keep the steering 
from self centering. Your TSM has the procedure to check and correct this 
condition in it and you may want to check this prior to having the 
alignment checked.

Unless the nose is sitting a mile high, those rubber wedges are probably in 
the springs because the springs are shot. Take them out and if the nose 
droops (60's cars typically have the nose a little higher than the rear), 
you need new springs.

Once you've gone through all the checks and made any needed repairs and 
find you still can't live with the steering, you can switch the steering 
box out (or have the guts in yours changed) and/or play with pump pressure 
to increase road feel and responsiveness. GM offered quick ratio boxes in 
the late 70's and early 80's in some F (Camaro/Firebird) and A/G (Malibu, 
El Camino, RWD Cutlass) body cars that should bolt in. You can also get new 
boxes from companies like AGR (Summit Racing carries them) or buy 
remanufactured quick ratio boxes (you should be able to pick up a 
remanufactured box at an auto parts store). If you swap the box out, 
replace the hoses and either flush or rebuild the pump to make sure all the 
trash is out of the system.

Matt

At 01:48 PM 2/5/2006 -0500, you wrote:
> My 68 AMX has power steering and the steering linkage looks good, actually 
> looks great, underneath. Bushings and linkage, tie rods, sway bar, shocks, 
> springs etc. appear to have been recently R & R'd prior to my purchasing. 
> Car only has 55K original miles.However, I don't like the feel of the 
> steerage. I'm not getting enough steering wheel feed back, and after 
> turning the wheel it is slow to return to center, straight line position. 
> I actually have to turn it back to center coming out of turns. I really 
> have to concentrate on steering, more then what I believe to be normal, in 
> order to stay on course. I get use to it after a few miles but don't like 
> it at all. I'm Tempted to go to Manual Steering but the car is factory 
> original with the Power Steering.
>
> My question is, would increasing the degree of Caster, say 4 degrees, make 
> the steering quicker to return to the center, straight line position? I'm 
> hoping that this would also give me the Steering Wheel feed back I'm use 
> to. It sucks when you can't feel the road!
>
> One other note there are rubber wedges in the front coil springs which I 
> assume are stiffeners.

mhaas@xxxxxxx
Cincinnati, OH
http://www.mattsoldcars.com
1967 Rambler American wagon
1968 Rambler American sedan
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