Classic/Antique Car Repair: Steering Wheel Play & wandering, tie rod ends, pontiac chieftain

Question
I have a 1953 Pontiac Chieftain with manual steering. The wheel has about 45 degrees of play and the car wanders. I'm told that the gear box has several adjustments to it and that the column is integral to the box. They have to come out together? I'd like to go with power steering if I have to replace it. Where can I get parts? Thank you.

Answer
You don't have to take anything apart to adjust the steering wheel play.

Have someone move the wheel back and forth while you watch the linkage under the car to see where the lost motion is occurring - it isn't always in the steering gearbox.  It could also be in the tie-rod ends or even in the front end suspension parts.  

If you have determined that the problem IS in the steering box, do the following:

Jack the front end of the car up off the ground and support it with safety stands.

In case your tie-rods are not set right, find the true mid point of the steering wheel by counting turns from all the way left to all the way right, and come back half way to the exact middle - even if that is not the straight ahead position.

Then, look at the top of the steering gearbox, and find the screwdriver slot sticking up out of the top of the box with a locking nut and washer on it.  Hold the screw stationary while you remove the locking nut and special washer that is held under it.  Now, tighten the screw 1/2 a turn at a time, checking after each adjustment for the feel of the steering wheel as it passes through the midpoint.  At some point, you will begin to feel a tightness in the steering wheel at the midpoint of it's travel.  Back off the screw adjustment until you can just barely notice the increase in friction as you pass through the midpoint, and lock the adjustment at that setting.  Now, let the car down to see how much play there is in the steering wheel. If it is less than about 3 inches, the car is safe to drive as is. If the play is still excessive, or if you feel binding when you turn, the steering box is worn out and you need to have it rebuilt.

If you are determined to convert the car to power steering, the only way I know to do that is to find one that has power steering and buy it, and swap the parts.  Maybe one of the wrecking yards that specializes in old cars can help you with that - or if you are in the Pontiac club, ask around - maybe someone has a parts car that they would be willing to sell the power steering setup from.

Dick