Classic/Antique Car Repair/51' Chev PU Steering

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Expert: - 4/22/2010


Question
I have a tremendous amount of slop in my steering.  I have adjusted the steering box adjustment as far as I can.  I have installed oversized king pins.  I am thinking of getting a tie rods kit.  Any suggestions will help.
Thanks

Answer
The first thing that I would do is have some one in the car turning the steering wheel in each direction taking up the free play. You should watch all the linkage under the truck and see where the play is. Try that and let me know and we will go from there. But being the cheap Yankee that I am I would not spend a dime until I checked the free play in all the components.

Classic/Antique Car Repair

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Brad Sears

Expertise

All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.

Experience

Automotive tech instructor. Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's. Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated. Auto instructor for the following companies: Fram Autolyte Holly Carter AMF Ford Motor University Of Conn Blue Hills Technical School Sugar River Technical Center Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.

Publications
Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.

Education/Credentials
More than I care to remember. Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.

Awards and Honors
Moto Award winner. And much more.

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