Steering wheel play 1983

[A83]

My 83 has a little play in the steering wheel, any way to tighten it up? 

Thanks 

Kevin

[studegary]

It depends on what "a little play" is.  First find out where the play is coming from.  Is it in the steering gear box, the center point steering bellcrank, etc.?  

The play should not be excessive, but you will feel some.  Has it changed over time? 

[A83]

The play is enough that there is about a two inch  lag when you turn the steering wheel then it seems to catch and all feels fine.  It has loosened up over time.

[Jim78]

If you have access to a pair of "drive-on" ramps, they make this job easier.  Get an assistant to sit in the car and rock the steering wheel back and forth through the free play.  Then follow the motion down through the system.  Check the steering box to see how much difference there is in the motion of the input shaft versus the output.  Also, check that the steering box itself is not loose on the frame (I have encountered this on my Avanti).  Then get under the car and look for lost motion at all of the joints.  Pay particular interest to the center bellcrank.  Any looseness there will result in steering play. 

[Mel]

One other item to be SURE to check is the 'universal joint' that connects the end of the steering wheel shaft to the steering box.  This is made of fabric impregnated rubber, of some sort, and if this breaks, as has been known to happen, you will have a WHOLE LOT lot of free play.