manual steering adjustment - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

fire235 · 04-04-2005, 11:28 AM

My 68 has manual steering that seems to be tougher than what it really should be. I've had several vehicles with manual and this truck is by far the hardest to turn, especially when backing my boat. Is there any adjustment on the gear box or could I need a new gear box? Or are these trucks just tough to turn? Thanks.

chevybill · 04-04-2005, 11:45 AM

check your grease in the box, the only way to do that is to remove the three bolts in top of the box. the box may be about to go bad, it might get hard enough to brake the stem leading back to the steering column.

do you have proper inflation of the front tires? very low tires can make one harder to steer.

shifty · 04-04-2005, 02:17 PM

I have a '68 with "manual power" steering also and I can confirm it is truly a bear to turn. I think mine has the original non-power steering setup, though and I can't tell if the box was ever cleaned and/or refurbished.

oldsub86 · 04-04-2005, 11:10 PM

I concur. My 68 is a real bear at slow speeds. No problem once moving of course but for parking or that sort of thing it is not only hard to turn but real slow to turn. I have bumped things more than once trying to park it. We get used to power steering on vehicles. They not only turn easy but fast.

**VetteVet** · 04-04-2005, 11:47 PM

Just to add to the discussion, if any of the ball joints, steering knuckles, idler arm, center link or tie rod ends are frozen from lack of grease it will cause the steering to turn hard. Also the manual steering wheels are bigger in diameter than power wheels for the extra leverage. IIRC.
VetteVet-old and needs power steering.

04-04-2005, 11:28 AM	#1
fire235 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: East Texas Posts: 76	manual steering adjustment My 68 has manual steering that seems to be tougher than what it really should be. I've had several vehicles with manual and this truck is by far the hardest to turn, especially when backing my boat. Is there any adjustment on the gear box or could I need a new gear box? Or are these trucks just tough to turn? Thanks.

04-04-2005, 11:45 AM	#2
chevybill Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: calhoun city ms Posts: 940	check your grease in the box, the only way to do that is to remove the three bolts in top of the box. the box may be about to go bad, it might get hard enough to brake the stem leading back to the steering column. do you have proper inflation of the front tires? very low tires can make one harder to steer. __________________ ongoing 1970 c 10 lwb 1994 z-28 few mods.-owned since new 1978 vette silver/grey 25th anniv. paint

04-04-2005, 02:17 PM	#3
shifty Questionable Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 13,373	I have a '68 with "manual power" steering also and I can confirm it is truly a bear to turn. I think mine has the original non-power steering setup, though and I can't tell if the box was ever cleaned and/or refurbished. __________________ If I've got anything up for grabs, it'll be here: 7-hole gauge cluster for a 67-72 p/u FREE (link) I can't check the forum daily. If I don't reply to you within 24 hours, drop me a PM! I'm (hopefully) still alive and will reply faster to a PM.

04-04-2005, 11:10 PM	#4
oldsub86 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 695	I concur. My 68 is a real bear at slow speeds. No problem once moving of course but for parking or that sort of thing it is not only hard to turn but real slow to turn. I have bumped things more than once trying to park it. We get used to power steering on vehicles. They not only turn easy but fast. __________________ 1968 Chevy - 292 with a powerglide

04-04-2005, 11:47 PM	#5
VetteVet Msgt USAF Ret Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 8,723	Just to add to the discussion, if any of the ball joints, steering knuckles, idler arm, center link or tie rod ends are frozen from lack of grease it will cause the steering to turn hard. Also the manual steering wheels are bigger in diameter than power wheels for the extra leverage. IIRC. VetteVet-old and needs power steering. __________________ VetteVet metallic green 67 stepside 74 corvette convertible 1965 Harley sportster 1995 Harley wide glide Growing old is hell, but it beats the alternative.



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