The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Steering Wheel Play How Much is Normal?

Just took delivery of my 1949 Suburban after a 3 year professional restoration. We went with the CPP power assist steering setup and it works great.Not new to ADs but have always wondered just how much free play is "normal" in these trucks.

Tried to search the forums but couldn't find anything.

All help is appreciated.

And remember opinions are like noses, everyone has one.

I am referring to steering wheel free plaay.

Hy evergreenw, technically there should be no freeplay in the steering wheel, as there should be a 2 - 2 1/2 lb. pull required to keep the steering wheel turning through the straight ahead or center of its travel with it disconnected from the drag link. Of course there are many points in the steering system that will wear, giving you the feeling of free play, the entire system should be checked for wear. The ram assist steering systems use a valve to direct oil flow to either end of the ram depending on which way you are trying to turn, this valve is built into the drag link, and obviously some clearance must exist to allow the valve to move in either direction to direct oil flow. When your pump is not running this clearance will show up in a delay of motion at the wheels, because the clearance in the valve must be taken up before the mechanical contact will move the wheels. You should avoid as much as possible turning the steering wheel while the pump is not running, on any power steering system, hope that helps

Yes, thanks. Everything new or re-built so it is surprising. Going back to shop for the 30 day checkup so we will need to address this problem.

Man, we would love to see some pictures!

I have a nose, but I have no opinion on this matter.

However, I have a few questions: have you contacted CPP and what did they tell you about free play?

Also, how are you measuring free play?

Yes, the discussion about the CPP PS conversion is often a subject of discussion here, in
fact there was one running for the last couple of weeks.
Sure like to see pix of your conversion.
As far as play in the steering, in my opinion there should be no noticeable play in the
steering, that would only lead to the vehicle wondering.

Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Just to chime in; Be sure to check your toe as well on your alignment. A wrong tow adjustment can also cause the truck to give you a 'wandering' sensation at higher speeds. I'm not sure what front end you have, but if you close in the toe from center just a hair, it will track pretty decent. (All of this assumes you've checked play)