I just got my '72 cuda on the road after 10 years sitting. It runs and shifts ok, but the front end has a ton of play. I bet i can make 1/8th turn before the tires move. The 10 year old tires on currently on it, so that may be a big part of the issue. I'm getting new tires this weekend. Any suggestion on tires and if the car is still lose, how I can correct the vague steering?
sloppy steering
- Thread starter EMCD
- Start date
burntorange70
Moderator
Jack the car up and push and pull on one side of the front tire to see how much play you have. Also check all the bushings and joints to see what condition they are in. May be able to get away with just taking all the pins out of the steering joints and tightening all the nuts up and reinstalling all the pins/new pins if they are all jacked up. An alignment would be a good thing to look in to as well. While your at it you may as well check the wheel bearings and sevice as needed.
If all the bushings and joints look rely bad it is time for a rebuild. If you look to the right of the screen you will see a link to PST. They will have what you need to rebuild it if that is needed. Or Another place to look is Just Suspensions.
If all the bushings and joints look rely bad it is time for a rebuild. If you look to the right of the screen you will see a link to PST. They will have what you need to rebuild it if that is needed. Or Another place to look is Just Suspensions.
moper
Well-Known Member
Like burnt said.. Inspect the front end (or have a reputable alignment shop do it for you). Also, if you're not familiar with mopar... The steering is normally pretty lose in factory form. The boxes have a ton of slop and you have little road feel.
hartless440
Member
I am having the same problem. I'm pretty sure you can adjust the gear box at the end of the steering column. Anyone else know this to be true?
moper
Well-Known Member
$1500 is a lot for a full front end rebuild unless it'sa comsetic restore too. But, the last one I did last year (in pics), complete with refinishing, was about $750 in hard parts. I only use Moog for chassis stuff and energy suspension urethane so maybe that's why.
moper
Well-Known Member
It's not difficult, but you need a few things to make it easy. A press, a propane torch, the large Chrysler ball joint socket, a pitman arm puller, blasting cabinet...lol. Or you'll end up paying for some or all of those actions. The car in the pic is a friend that started as a customer. The car is a 383/4sp RT, unrestored although the driveline was gone thru and it's been repainted. It now drives and stops like it should. He messed up the brakes when he did them so I fixed that too...lol.
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