Joined
·
885 Posts
Hi MercuryCougar.net,
This is my first posting. I own a 1970 XR7 Convertible w/power steering.
I recently threw about $12K into the car. New paint, convertible top, rear leafs, front coils. Pretty much every part in the front end is new: Flaming river steering box, rebuilt control valve (Mustangs Plus, Stockton, CA), inner and outer tie rod ends, coil springs, spring perches, upper and lower A arms, new 1" sway bar (I also have a .75" for the rear - just waiting for the leaf springs to settle). The idler arm was replaced about a year ago with an aftermarket item. Other new parts include a one piece shock tower brace, frame braces, and so on.
I recently got the car back from the painter, and to my shock and utter surprise, there is still an appreciable amount of lash in the steering. Still, I expected much better after spending the $$$$ I did. Is this something I have to live with, or should I expect better? Is it possible the rebuilt
control valve is a poor example? The steering has always been sloppy. I suspect this is primarily due to Ford incorporating the control valve (similar to my first car, a 1963 Impala which also sucked) in the steering system design. It seems the control valve dooms the driver to some play in the steering, no matter how new the part is.
A couple more thoughts. The painter drove the car to the alignment shop with no power steering fluid. When he did put fluid in, he was confronted with the result of reversed power steering hoses (diagnosed by the alignment shop). When I picked the car up, I found the steering assist to be somewhat lacking, which exacerbated the lash. Eventhough the power steering fluid read on the stick, I added more and found it cured the assist problem. Now it's back to normal - too much assist.
I read one thread where a member complained of his steering not returning to center. I have the same problem, and I'll just pass along what my alignment guy (an old pro) says. It's the idler arm. Apparently, some of the aftermarket parts are not designed like the original Ford part, and contribute to this problem.
I'm open to any and all thoughts. Otherwise, I may again consider installing a TCP power rack and pinion, and sell off the cool new parts I'll no longer need.
70XR7ConvertCat
This is my first posting. I own a 1970 XR7 Convertible w/power steering.
I recently threw about $12K into the car. New paint, convertible top, rear leafs, front coils. Pretty much every part in the front end is new: Flaming river steering box, rebuilt control valve (Mustangs Plus, Stockton, CA), inner and outer tie rod ends, coil springs, spring perches, upper and lower A arms, new 1" sway bar (I also have a .75" for the rear - just waiting for the leaf springs to settle). The idler arm was replaced about a year ago with an aftermarket item. Other new parts include a one piece shock tower brace, frame braces, and so on.
I recently got the car back from the painter, and to my shock and utter surprise, there is still an appreciable amount of lash in the steering. Still, I expected much better after spending the $$$$ I did. Is this something I have to live with, or should I expect better? Is it possible the rebuilt
control valve is a poor example? The steering has always been sloppy. I suspect this is primarily due to Ford incorporating the control valve (similar to my first car, a 1963 Impala which also sucked) in the steering system design. It seems the control valve dooms the driver to some play in the steering, no matter how new the part is.
A couple more thoughts. The painter drove the car to the alignment shop with no power steering fluid. When he did put fluid in, he was confronted with the result of reversed power steering hoses (diagnosed by the alignment shop). When I picked the car up, I found the steering assist to be somewhat lacking, which exacerbated the lash. Eventhough the power steering fluid read on the stick, I added more and found it cured the assist problem. Now it's back to normal - too much assist.
I read one thread where a member complained of his steering not returning to center. I have the same problem, and I'll just pass along what my alignment guy (an old pro) says. It's the idler arm. Apparently, some of the aftermarket parts are not designed like the original Ford part, and contribute to this problem.
I'm open to any and all thoughts. Otherwise, I may again consider installing a TCP power rack and pinion, and sell off the cool new parts I'll no longer need.
70XR7ConvertCat