Posting for my dad.

The steering in his 76 is very touchy. So much so that he says he feels uncomfortable driving it.

Is it possible that we reversed the hoses on the power steering pump when we put the engine back in?

Thanks,
Jeff

What parts were replaced?

Which hole was used where the linkage connects? I think there are two holes...one for manual steering and one for power steering.

We pulled the engine out a couple of years ago to do heads, cam and all that. We pulled the lines off the power steering pump after the engine was out since it fell over and drained all the fluid out on the floor anyway.

He doesn't drive it much so it wasn't a huge concern but now he has a 91 and wants to sell the 76. He doesn't want the buyer to have any problems so he got to thinking about how touchy the steering seemed. I am not sure that there's anything wrong with it, I've only ever driven the car twice in the 8 years that he's had it.

Do the C3's just have a quicker steering ratio to them in comparision with modern cars?

Did you disconnect the hoses from the steering valve as well? If not, then its very unlikely you switched them. IIRC, the pressure hose connects to the pump via a threaded fitting, while the return hose attaches with a hose clamp on a nipple.


I believe DB is referring to the outboard tie rod connections - there may be two holes in the steering knuckle arm. Of course, the inner hole would give you quicker steering response.


I don't really know what would make it feel "touchy". Has it been aligned lately?

I'm not sure if he has had it aligned recently. I will guide him to this thread.

Jeff what do you think he will want for that 76? I am not interested but had something come up today with another 76 that he bought that I will put on the Friday chat tomorrow. Thanks

I think hes going to be asking around 8000. It was a 4 speed t-top with air. Now it's a 5 speed with side pipes, mild cam, summit performance heads. Showing about 73k on the clock. Headlights converted to electric too.

Quote:
Supposedly if the rear is somewhat out of alignment, the car tends to be 'darty' at speed. Maybe that could be contributing to the touchiness.

However, I haven't experienced this myself, maybe someone else here has?