<VV> Weird Steering Thing Going On

[N. Joseph Potts]

I experienced something very much like this, and eliminated it by replacing
the steering gear with a rebuilt unit. I did nothing ELSE, so I'm pretty
sure that's it. I think the 64 and 66 gears are similar enough that this
would be it. Of course, you can rebuild your own if you don't care to go the
way I did, but I can't tell you what was wrong INSIDE the gear for obvious
reasons.

Joe Potts
Miami, Florida USA
1966 Corsa coupe 140hp 4-speed with A/C

-----Original Message-----
From: virtualvairs-bounces at corvair.org
[mailto:virtualvairs-bounces at corvair.org]On Behalf Of Tim Verthein
Sent: Monday, August 15, 2005 8:53 PM
To: virtualvairs at corvair.org
Subject: <VV> Weird Steering Thing Going On


My trusty 64 Monza has developed a weird steering thing.
There seems to be what I can only describe as a "SNAP" sound from the
steering wheel occasionally.  It's hard to describe actually.
LIke..making a turn and it's almost like a spring or part of some sort
is catching then springing back as I tighten into the turn.  It
*sounds* like it's coming right from the steering wheel center, but I
can hear it loudly when I'm turning in the alley between two buildings
and the sound can be heard echoing back when I have the windows down.
So somthing, somewhere is making this sound.  I'm having a hard time
deciding if there is really any effect on the steering itself.  It
"seems" like the steering can feel a bit "loose" in the straight ahead
position...in the wheel that is..I don't notice the car wandering at
all, or anything like that. My only diagnosis thus far is to make Ryan
crawl under it (he's younger and skinnier than me) and give everything
in the steering linkages a good yank to see that everything seems snug,
and he reports no obvious trouble. Tomorrow I'm going to stop by my
favorite shop where he appreciates and understands old cars and have a
look see underneath.  I'm just wondering if this is some known ailment
that I could follow up on?  Never heard/felt anything like this in any
car before.  I have noticed in the last few weeks the steering seemed
tighter than usual the further I turned from straight ahead. The car
does have quick action steering arms on it (I've never looked at
them...but was told they were on it when i bought it, and judging by
the large turning radius I'm sure that's what I have).  But like I say,
the sound seems to come right from the center of the steering wheel
when I turn, but I believe it's happening somewhere down in the guts of
the system and I'm only hearing it as the sound comes up the steering
shaft.  That and a couple weeks ago I could swwear the steering felt
different when we left a car show, but I can't put my finger on exactly
what the difference is. Maybe I'm nuts?
Thoughts?

Tim in Bovey