Joined:Tue Oct 28, 2014 8:45 am Posts:287 Car Details:1981 Camaro Z28 Location:Essex
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What about the power steering pump and reservoir, topped up, all in place and working ?
Give that try and then see how it is. If it's still the same, then reading through all the comments, it sounds like you have what Sportsroof mentioned:
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Steering box has a 'tight spot' in the middle of it's sweep, which should correspond with the steering wheel central AND front wheels pointing dead ahead. All happy then, yes?
...you are driving straight but are away from the tight spot so there is play, and when you try to make a small correction, there may be slight resistance (the tight spot) which you have to then fight with as it's usually right where you don't want it to be so you end up sawing at the wheel try to go straight! Maybe a bit exaggerated to illustrate the problem but you get the idea. Plus the steering boxes can usually be adjusted up to eliminate play.
Cheers, Martin
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I am at times "sawing" at the wheel to maintain the car in a straight line. When cornering at regular speeds, I find the steering input can be way too much. for the angle of the corner also. It's like a large dead spot...and then steering reacts and it's too much of an input.
You mention that steering boxes can be adjusted, how do you go about adjusting things in this area?
Sounds like you'll be needing instructions on how to adjust the steering box... be good if it has enough adjustment in it that you don't need to buy a replacement part.
This one is for a Jeep but it may be similar:
From 4 minutes on it runs through some good general diagnostic checks:
Cheers for the links Nice to know how adjustments can be made to the steering box. I did watch the mechanic while the spanners were out and I'm pretty sure he followed those procedures. The steering is definitely not as loose as it once was, stiffer in all.
However, while driving along I find I'm still constantly having to correct the steering to maintain a straight line. Admitedly, if there are ruts, bad camber I'm having to do it more so than if the road is flat and without undulations but it's always present.
Joined:Sun Jul 25, 2010 3:40 pm Posts:206 Location:Roswell New Mexico
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Ok, that's fair comment. Just how many potential areas could be creating the issue?
Start with the easy stuff.
Check the steering shaft coupler. It's a canvas fabric with rubber that can swell after getting oil on it, or simply wear out.
Check the bolts holding the steering box to the frame. Unusual, but I have seen them come loose especially after a fender bender.
Grab the front wheels and rock them from top to bottom and side to side, be brutal and feel for any movement and listen for strange noises.
Check the front tyres for uneven wear indicating a tracking or camber problem.
And from personal experience, have all the tyres balanced. Had a Monte Carlo that was driving me nuts with it's steering being all over the place. It was only when I had the tyres balanced did I find that one of the tyres had a separated tread, invisible from the outside. A new tyre later and it was a different car.
Joined:Tue Oct 28, 2014 8:45 am Posts:287 Car Details:1981 Camaro Z28 Location:Essex
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Ok, that's fair comment. Just how many potential areas could be creating the issue?
Start with the easy stuff.
Check the steering shaft coupler. It's a canvas fabric with rubber that can swell after getting oil on it, or simply wear out.
Check the bolts holding the steering box to the frame. Unusual, but I have seen them come loose especially after a fender bender.
Grab the front wheels and rock them from top to bottom and side to side, be brutal and feel for any movement and listen for strange noises.
Check the front tyres for uneven wear indicating a tracking or camber problem.
And from personal experience, have all the tyres balanced. Had a Monte Carlo that was driving me nuts with it's steering being all over the place. It was only when I had the tyres balanced did I find that one of the tyres had a separated tread, invisible from the outside. A new tyre later and it was a different car.
I took the car to guy known as Tom in Mersea Island Essex. He diagnosed it after a while, appears to be the shaft coupler. As you mention it's worn and pretty badly at that. There's a few things that need doing to the car, come April when the SORN expires I'll have them attended to. Thanks for the info there
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Nice to know how adjustments can be made to the steering box. I did watch the mechanic while the spanners were out and I'm pretty sure he followed those procedures. The steering is definitely not as loose as it once was, stiffer in all. 
