<VV> Air? Chassis rot?

[Jay Maechtlen]

Seems to me, all the force on the steering box is from the effort 
applied to the steering wheel.
Unless the OP has the arms of a blacksmith, the frame where the steering 
box mounts should be able to hold it steady.

The steering arms don't matter, neither does the tire size or pressure.
You should be able to crank on the steering wheel with the tires locked 
stationary, and the steering box shouldn't move.

FWIW, a slow steering box gives the driver more mechanical advantage, so 
for the same steering wheel effort should put more force on the frame.
A quick box is harder on the driver, but easier on the frame.

Gotta check the frame and the mounting bolts. Something there is bad.

cheers
Jay

On 1/1/2014 10:50 AM, Bryan Blackwell wrote:
> FWIW, here's my thinking:
>
> The flex is showing up as a result of over stressing the frame.  It could also be compromised, but this is an unusual thing to find on a Corvair, especially a west coast car.  While it needs to be fixed, I think the root problem also needs to be identified.
>
> The clue here is he is running very low tire pressures because of ride complaints.  Now, this could be the expectation of ride being more compliant than it will be, but I would say he needs to ride in another Corvair to verify that the ride in this car isn't as expected.  If there's a ride issue, then that might be a clue of some other problem.  I'd be concerned that if he can't get it to ride ok with 20 psi in the front tires, whatever problem is causing the steering box to move around will come back.
>
> --Bryan
>
> On Jan 1, 2014, at 12:57 PM, ricebugg at comcast.net wrote:
>
>> All:  May I point ot the original concern was the steering box moving left/right under load.  May I suggest much of the following was so much hot air?  Some of it so dry it is funny, but missing the core issue.
>>
>> If the box is indeed moving, there is a serious likelyhood of the chassis it is mounted has been weakened and will eventally break. You cannot bend metal repeatedly without it eventually work hardening and breaking.  Results: not good.
>>
>> Fix the flexing!  Run what ever rims, tires, air pressures and tire filling material you are comfortable with.  But fix the flexing!!  Please.
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-- 
Jay Maechtlen