Dan Boone

Thanks much. I'm taking that under advisement. db

Just too much play in the steering. And I have a bellcrank kit that I can install. I was told by a vendor that that part typically needs to be replaced on Avantis. I was wondering if tht would have any impact to install that bellcrank kit to help tighten up the steering. Sorry for the confusion. I have to do these posts on the run, and they don't always come out the way I would like. db

The steering wheel went back on easily and the nut is tight. It's something under the hood. Thanks for the reply. I'll check some of those areas. db

Okay, now I have another question for you guys: The steering is too loose now. Do you think a bell crank shim and seal kit would help in tightening up the steering? db

John, I did get your email. Thank you. I pulled the cap off of the steering wheel, took two screws off, removed the apparatus that holds the cap. I was now at the nut that holds the steering wheel. I did have the 15/16 wrench to loosen it, but could not. I drove to a shop close to my house, and the guy said he didn't have any idea what to charge me, for loosening a bolt! They send flyers every day and call themselves "the honest mechanics." Well, the guy that put my new wheels on was happy to loosen that bolt for me with his air gun. Next I went to Autozone to borrow a steering wheel remover. They loan you tools for free if you give them a deposit. They first gave me a cheap one and they screws to hold the puller would not fit. I took that one back and borrowed the master wheel puller kit. That did the job, and yesterday, it wasn't raining much, I took it for a little drive, the steering wheel is straight. Wala! It is a little loose now, though, and I plan to look into that. My wife thinks I like the car better than her. db

Hello, Avanti owners. I just got new wheels for this '63. Really sets it off. It was pulling to the right after putting the new wheels on. We replaced all the bushings, tie rods, etc. It needed it badly. Problem is when I had it aligned properly the steering wheel is crooked. Alignment shop tells me that there is not sufficient thread left on the tie rods to align the steering wheel. They want to rebuild it....much $. I do have a bellcrank shim and seal kit. Do you think it would make any difference in the straightness of the steering wheel to install this shim and seal kit? Or do you have any ideas to offer me to straighten my steering wheel without sinking so much money into rebuilding the whole system. I'm prepared to hear a grim diagnosis if warranted. I would appreciate your input in this regard. Dan

John, I did get your email. Thank you. I pulled the cap off of the steering wheel, took two screws off, removed the apparatus that holds the cap. I was now at the nut that holds the steering wheel. I did have the 15/16 wrench to loosen it, but could not. I drove to a shop close to my house, and the guy said he didn't have any idea what to charge me, for loosening a bolt! They send flyers every day and call themselves "the honest mechanics." Well, the guy that put my new wheels on was happy to loosen that bolt for me with his air gun. Next I went to Autozone to borrow a steering wheel remover. They loan you tools for free if you give them a deposit. They first gave me a cheap one and they screws to hold the puller would not fit. I took that one back and borrowed the master wheel puller kit. That did the job, and yesterday, it wasn't raining much, I took it for a little drive, the steering wheel is straight. Wala! It is a little loose now, though, and I plan to look into that. My wife thinks I like the car better than her. db

On my day off work I plan to try to pull the steering wheel off and re-center it. I'm beginning to think the trusted alignment shop that I took it to wanted to re-build my steering for $1,300 plus, and left the steering that way to try to convince me. They didn't know that I could ask other owners like you guys. I have a little story for you that I hope you find interesting: I've had our regular cars on a lifetime alignment and tire rotation and balance for years at Firestone. When I took my Volvo in for an oil change and free alignment the last time, Firestone informed me that they could not change the oil because the drain plug was stripped. I told them that's interesting since they were the only ones that changed the oil in that car since about 2005. They said it was because the oil pan was aluminum and soft. I left. I went home and called the Bureau for Automotive Repair. I spoke with an agent, and he asked me if I have any receipts. I told him I had all the receipts. He wanted copies, so I sent him copies in chronological order. In the meantime, I asked my friend if he could find one. He found a very nice oil pan, and we installed it. The agent from the Bureau called me back about a week later, and told me that Bridgestone/Firestone wanted to pay me for that new oil pan, and after I sent them receipts for the work we did, they sent me a check for what I paid for it, installation, etc., about $500, half the cost of what Firestone was going to charge me. Some of those old, trusted shops cannot be trusted. Thanks to all of you. I really appreciate it. I bought the Avanti from my brother about six years ago and promised him that I would take care of it. He had it about 35 years. I plan to keep my promise to him. db

Thanks for the quick replies. Nothing is wrong with the car except the steering wheel which drives me crazy. I'll try some things with the advice you've given me. I think that shop I went to was trying to bleed me dry. db

Hello, Avanti owners. I just got new wheels for this '63. Really sets it off. It was pulling to the right after putting the new wheels on. We replaced all the bushings, tie rods, etc. It needed it badly. Problem is when I had it aligned properly the steering wheel is crooked. Alignment shop tells me that there is not sufficient thread left on the tie rods to align the steering wheel. They want to rebuild it....much $. I do have a bellcrank shim and seal kit. Do you think it would make any difference in the straightness of the steering wheel to install this shim and seal kit? Or do you have any ideas to offer me to straighten my steering wheel without sinking so much money into rebuilding the whole system. I'm prepared to hear a grim diagnosis if warranted. I would appreciate your input in this regard. Dan

Hello, Norm and other Avanti owners. I just got new wheels for this '63. Really sets it off. It was pulling to the right after putting the new wheels on. We replaced all the bushings, tie rods, etc. It needed it badly. Problem is when I had it aligned properly the steering wheel is crooked. Alignment shop tells me that there is not sufficient thread left on the tie rods to align the steering wheel. They want to rebuild it....much $. I do have a bellcrank shim and seal kit. Do you think it would make any difference in the straightness of the steering wheel to install this shim and seal kit? Or do you have any ideas to offer me to straighten my steering wheel without sinking so much money into rebuilding the whole system. I'm prepared to hear a grim diagnosis if warranted. I would appreciate your input in this regard. Dan

Point well taken.

Sorry, John, my friend actually got it ready for me. I will find out from him where he got the core. I know he pressure tested it. I sort of left it to him. Leave your number, and I can have Nick call you. He does a lot of nice work on my car. Dan

Here's a couple picts. of the finished heater core before we re-installed it. It's back in now, and I have warm air with no leaks! Woo hoo!

I posted a couple pictures taking the old heater out of the car. The Plymouth core is on its way. We just need to modify the inlet/outlet ports to make it fit.