Manual steering box on chevelle

shockme668 · 03-21-2010, 02:22 PM

I have a 1970 chevelle about 3300lbs it is a drag car. I have a manual steering box with the stock suspension parts..The front end has no slop in it, but the car drives like a boat..I have to fight it to keep it straight..I was going to replace the steering box with a vega box or rebuild this one..i hope some one can give me some advice...Thanks

Greg Reimer 7376 · 03-21-2010, 05:51 PM

Check your Pittman arm. All 64-72 Chevelles use a Pittman arm that's the same length,but the tapered hole on the small end is larger on the 66-67 models. The 68-72 had a rather small hole in it. The proper fix is to locate a 68-72 arm,but if that's not happening,the Moog catalog shows the 66-67 drag link. If you put the earlier drag link on your 70,you need to readjust the tie rods considerably to get your toe in correct again.To compound the confusion, the number forged into the Pittman arm is the same. The holes were machined later,which explains how a part with one part number had two different size holes on them.

Run to Rund · 03-22-2010, 12:52 AM

Also check the overcenter adjustment--the stud and locknut on the top cover. Don't overtighten it but snug it just enough to remove slop between input turning and output response.

shockme668 · 03-22-2010, 11:45 AM

Adjusting the overcenter and lubed the front end...Took the car around the block it is a new car...Thanks for the help.......

Nick Finney · 03-29-2010, 12:59 PM

I have a 1969 Buick Special with a Chevelle manual steering box on it and my car steers like a dream. I have been as quick as 131mph, and felt like I could have let go of the wheel as it was so smooth. I believe I have the factory pitman arm, as it should be the same one as the Chevelle. If this helps any great, if not I just wanted to share my experience so far with the manual box.

03-21-2010, 02:22 PM	#1
shockme668 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 20 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Manual steering box on chevelle I have a 1970 chevelle about 3300lbs it is a drag car. I have a manual steering box with the stock suspension parts..The front end has no slop in it, but the car drives like a boat..I have to fight it to keep it straight..I was going to replace the steering box with a vega box or rebuild this one..i hope some one can give me some advice...Thanks

03-21-2010, 05:51 PM	#2
Greg Reimer 7376 VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Glendora,Calif. Posts: 1,135 Likes: 172 Liked 704 Times in 218 Posts	Re: Manual steering box on chevelle Check your Pittman arm. All 64-72 Chevelles use a Pittman arm that's the same length,but the tapered hole on the small end is larger on the 66-67 models. The 68-72 had a rather small hole in it. The proper fix is to locate a 68-72 arm,but if that's not happening,the Moog catalog shows the 66-67 drag link. If you put the earlier drag link on your 70,you need to readjust the tie rods considerably to get your toe in correct again.To compound the confusion, the number forged into the Pittman arm is the same. The holes were machined later,which explains how a part with one part number had two different size holes on them.

03-22-2010, 12:52 AM	#3
Run to Rund Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 583 Likes: 8 Liked 54 Times in 27 Posts	Re: Manual steering box on chevelle Also check the overcenter adjustment--the stud and locknut on the top cover. Don't overtighten it but snug it just enough to remove slop between input turning and output response.

03-22-2010, 11:45 AM	#4
shockme668 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 20 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Manual steering box on chevelle Adjusting the overcenter and lubed the front end...Took the car around the block it is a new car...Thanks for the help....... Last edited by shockme668; 03-28-2010 at 07:29 PM.

03-29-2010, 12:59 PM	#5
Nick Finney Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 3 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Manual steering box on chevelle I have a 1969 Buick Special with a Chevelle manual steering box on it and my car steers like a dream. I have been as quick as 131mph, and felt like I could have let go of the wheel as it was so smooth. I believe I have the factory pitman arm, as it should be the same one as the Chevelle. If this helps any great, if not I just wanted to share my experience so far with the manual box.