Not sure this is the right forum, but here it goes anyway.

I have been noticing lately that my steering has about 1/4 turn of play in each direction, giving it a total of 180 degrees of play from 1/4 to 1/4. Anyhow it never used to be like this. I converted my car to manual steering about 5 months ago and have had no problems with it. I hadnt taken a look at the box or anything until this morning, when I popped the hood and gave the steering wheel the usual 1/4 turn treatment and observed the entire steering system in the engine bay. I noticed that the box was somewhat loose. NO problem I will tighten the bolts down and check again. But if that doesnt work, what could it be? I also noticed that the ring on the end of the column was loose as well. Let me see if I can describe the ring: the steering column has large diameter when it goes through fire wall. The cylinder (column) has the shifting mechanism for my automatic transmission. This cylinder (large diameter) ends at a "ring" and then transitions into the splined piece that my adapter installed onto. the ring at the end was slightly loose as well.

any thoughts?

Caesar

Could be just loose box bolts, or a broken bolt, or a broken/bending steering box mount ear on the frame.

Let us know what you find...

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

Caesar, it sounds like the ring you are describing is just a dust/debris seal. If it's kinda plasticky rubber then that's it. Anyhoo, it would be nice if were sealed up on column but it's not gonna wreck your day.
As for the loose box-- check to be sure that the threads aren't stripped on the mount or on the bolts. If it's all good in the hood, throw some lock-tite at 'em and crank 'em back on. I think that they torque to something ridiculous like 95 ft/lb.
Lou mentioned a broken or bending mount-- which is actually a common thing to have happen, but thankfully it's fairly easy to fix. Have somebody sit in the car and swing the wheel around, and look for deflection at the mounting point and double check the weld-- that tends to crack too.

At any rate, if you get stumped gimme a holler and Uncle Wendel will be happy to help.

thanks for the info, it was loose box bolts. I guess I didnt crank down on them like I thought when I installed the box. Went at them LIke a gorilla possessed, so I think it is cool.

As for that ring, it is a dust seal, but it is looser than crap, oh well.

Thanks for the help.

caesar