Is one-inch of steering wheel play the best that can be achieved?
 

This not a concern, but simply an inquiry.
My steering, handling, and stability on the road are great, even at high speeds; in fact, I don't see how my front end could perform better.
However, I seem to have about 1-inch of "play" in the steering wheel before the front wheels begin to move; my shortened pitman arm is tight to the steering box, and the other parts of the front end do not seem to have any "slop" or "play".
I was just wondering if 1-inch of "play" is the goal, or if in a perfect steering box and front end, there would be less than 1-inch of play?
Thanks in advance for your information.

Re: Is one-inch of steering wheel play the best that can be achieved?
 

Pat,

I have about 1 inch of play...maybe a little less.

Rebuilt steering box and a good steering system.

I found that I could get less than the 1 inch value if I had "tightness" at the steering extremes, so I kept it at 1 inch.

The car steers O.K. and is fine on most roads.

Marc

Re: Is one-inch of steering wheel play the best that can be achieved?
 

I got mine to 7/8th, but it took much fine tuning, and everything was rebuilt.

Re: Is one-inch of steering wheel play the best that can be achieved?
 

Yes, everything back to spec would leave little to no play.

Re: Is one-inch of steering wheel play the best that can be achieved?
 

i just redid the box on the lucy restoration i am doing now. i used the needle bearing sector housing with seal, replaced the worm and sector, and new bearings cost me close to 400 for parts.. i was able to set it up with virtually no play at all.

Re: Is one-inch of steering wheel play the best that can be achieved?
 

Mine is about 3/4", been 25 years since adjustment, was about 1/2" when it was freshly adjusted

Re: Is one-inch of steering wheel play the best that can be achieved?
 

3/4"to1" is perfectly fine.Its not modern rack & pinion steering.When I rebuilt my 2-tooth steering 14,000 miles ago,Ihad sector hsg bored for needle brgs & modern lip type seal .Also had sector hsg machined back .140" for a Torrington needle thrust brg.The worm & sector were good.Total cost for parts was around$50.I ended up with super easy steering & around 3/4" steering play.I also shortened the P-arm & installed teflon ball seats & welded in new steering balls.I wouldnt trade it for an F-100 unit,thats for sure!Now days short P-arms are available from the vendors & you should also get the exchange steering arms.I trust my own welding but nobody elses.I used the same oil in s-box as in trans & R-E anhave not added any since.I also used the lower plate with the the tube to keep oil out of the lite switch.

Re: Is one-inch of steering wheel play the best that can be achieved?
 

Re: Is one-inch of steering wheel play the best that can be achieved?
 

Pat , If you remove the shortened pitman arm and replace it with a perfect original pitman arm you will lose most if not all of the slack at the center. The shortened pitman arm does add some play at the center. I prefer the shortened pitman and use them on all of mine. For the ease of steering that the shortened pitman arm gives, I can live with the small amount of play.

Re: Is one-inch of steering wheel play the best that can be achieved?
 

rebuilt every part...As the steering wheel moves so does the front tires. Maybe a hair size loss.

Re: Is one-inch of steering wheel play the best that can be achieved?
 

Thank you for the helpful replies.

Re: Is one-inch of steering wheel play the best that can be achieved?
 

Re: Is one-inch of steering wheel play the best that can be achieved?
 

I just got done doing 3 boxes and adjusted and adjusted and the best I could get was about 1 in with a shorten pitman arm. If you get zero you wont be able to hold it in your lane and be all over the road....good luck

Re: Is one-inch of steering wheel play the best that can be achieved?
 

Re: Is one-inch of steering wheel play the best that can be achieved?
 

I wonder how many are driving around with much more than 1"??
Paul in CT

Re: Is one-inch of steering wheel play the best that can be achieved?
 

i checked my newly rebuilt box today it has 1/8th-1/4 free play from steering wheel to pitman arm at sector

Re: Is one-inch of steering wheel play the best that can be achieved?
 

I know in car judging, they do a safety check of the car. I believe 2 inches is the max amount they allow. I'm betting a very large percentage of A's out there have 2 or more inches but those are the same cars with no fluid in the steering box and brakes that won't stop the car etc.