Classic/Antique Car Repair: Armstrong steering, canadian pontiac, wheel alignment

Question
Dick
My 64 Pontiac has had a little front end work to get it roadworthy,but it hasn't had a wheel alignment.
I am new to 'Armstrong' steering,but I feel it takes a lot of effort to steer and there is a lot of play on the highway.
Is this normal? Would a wheel alignment help,or is there a way to 'tighten up' the steering?
Thanks!


Answer
Play in the steering wheel is a sign of serious wear - I'm surprised that the shop that worked on your front end let it leave the shop that way - they are leaving themselves open for a big lawsuit if you get in an accident!

There is an adjustment on the steering box for wear that might reduce the play - you should take it back to the shop and ask them if they can investigate the cause of the play and perhaps adjust the steering box, if there is any adjustment left in it.  If you have the shop manual for this car, you can look it up and make the adjustment yourself - all you need is normal hand tools and a good jack to lift the front end off the ground.

Wheel alignment alone might help slightly, but I doubt it is going to make much difference.  Surely the shop that did the front end work would have done an alignment - it is criminal malpractice to change parts in a car's front end and not do an alignment! If they did that, find another shop, fast!

An alignment shop can also evaluate how hard it is to steer.  Remember that these cars were built to use bias ply tires - if you have radial tires on it (and that's about all you can get these days unless you special order the right tires), it will steer very hard.   Most people have forgotten the difference, since most cars have power steering, and have had it since 1952 or so - you've got a really rare situation with a Pontiac without power steering - I assume this is a Canadian Pontiac - but even so, I thought they all had power steering by 1964!

I'm going on vacation for about 10 days, but let me know what you find out - I'll get your message when I get back.

Don't drive the car far, or over 30 MPH until you get this sorted out!

Dick