Avanti 63 Stiff Steering

[Stefan B.]

Hi everyone!

I got my 1963 Avanti R2 now finally registered here in Austria and had my first drive on the road - a great feeling! What a great car.

One thing I struggle with, however, is that the steering wheel is quite stiff. So getting out of my garage with reversing several times is really hard work because the steering wheel does hardly turn when I drive at such low speed as when driving out of the garage. On the road with normal speed it is fine, but when revesing it is a real hazzle.

Does anyone have recommendations how to improve that?
Or should I retrofit power steering? (as it was originally without power steering I would rather avoid that if possible)

Every input appreciated!

[mfg]

2 hours ago, Stefan B. said:

Hi everyone!

I got my 1963 Avanti R2 now finally registered here in Austria and had my first drive on the road - a great feeling! What a great car.

One thing I struggle with, however, is that the steering wheel is quite stiff. So getting out of my garage with reversing several times is really hard work because the steering wheel does hardly turn when I drive at such low speed as when driving out of the garage. On the road with normal speed it is fine, but when revesing it is a real hazzle.

Does anyone have recommendations how to improve that?
Or should I retrofit power steering? (as it was originally without power steering I would rather avoid that if possible)

Every input appreciated!

A really good grease job on the front suspension may help some… paying particular attention to make sure the grease comes out both the bottom & top of the king pins… sometimes it’s a struggle to get the grease to come out the top around the needle bearing.. but it’s a MUST that it does.. rotating that needle bearing with vise grips will help to work the grease into it.

Also… I wouldn’t mount a tire any wider than a 205 on an Avanti with manual steering.

[Hogtrough]

What you describe is simply what non power steering cars are like. But as mentioned elsewhere, narrower tires and a grease job can help a lot. Be sure to hit ALL the fittings including the center link one. Top off the steering box lube. Make sure the tires are fully inflated (35 pounds should be OK depending on tire), and go with 195 tires if they are ready for a swap. This made a lot of difference on my Silver Hawk. My Avanti has power steering, which is fine when it works but my driveway may soon be condemned by the EPA if I don't get the leak fixed!

[Stefan B.]

Hi mfg and Hogthrough,

thank you for your recommendations! - I will try both. Probably it's the tyres as you mentioned. I just checked and it has 215/70VR15 90W front and rear. They were on when I got the car and I had not really focused on the tyres, yet.

[Mark L]

The Studebaker Lark I sold last year was originally equipped with power steering from the factory, but sometime before I bought it, it was converted to standard steering. To make steering at low speed a bit easier, I learned to anticipate which way I was planning to turn after a stop. I did as much turning while the car was still rolling, and avoided turning the wheel when the car was stationary.

[Nelson]

put more air in the front tires. Try 45 psi for a start.

[Stefan B.]

39 minutes ago, Nelson said:

put more air in the front tires. Try 45 psi for a start.

thanks! - I will try that.

[Dwight FitzSimons]

Does your Avanti have the optional fast steering?  Manual-steering Avantis had a slower steering gearbox (more turns lock to lock) than power-steering Avantis.  But, the power-steering gearbox was an option on a car ordered without PS.  It was a rare option, but I saw one back when they were new.

The quick-steering gearbox, without power assist, would certainly make an Avanti steer hard.

The Avanti's production order should list that option, if it was ordered.

--Dwight

[mfg]

10 hours ago, Nelson said:

put more air in the front tires. Try 45 psi for a start.

 45 lbs?….Whoa!!!!!

[AG-R3]

5 hours ago, mfg said:

 45 lbs?….Whoa!!!!!

Yah, most radials I've used ( Michelin) have a 44 psi cold limit.  Due to the weight distribution ratio,  It would make a lot of sense to bump in front.  I'd try 38 or so, for starters

[Nelson]

Heck, I often run 45 psi in the front. If you’re really worried just drop it to 44. 🤫

[Gunslinger]

You have to remember...back when the Avanti was built Studebaker (and other car makers) were using pretty skinny tires...not those with wider footprints like they do now.  It took less effort to turn the wheel regardless of whether equipped with power steering or non-power.

[Dwight FitzSimons]

One solution................