Pontiac Owners Club UK

I've just replaced the tie rods, idler arm and centre link with ones from the donor as mine were rubbish. I also replaced my standard steering box with the quick ratio GTA one.

I haven't driven it yet as i haven't got tax yet, but turning the wheel while stationary on the drive, it takes more effort to turn the wheel than before. not massive effort or anything, but stiffer than before. before i could turn the wheel when stationary with a finger or two.

Does the gta box, while having a quicker ratio, also have more stiffness? I presume some of it is because the idler arm, tie rods etc are newer.

Just wondering if this is normal. kitts dome 180,000 miles, don't know if that would wear the old box?

Also, there's and adjustable bolt/hex head shaft thingy on top of the steering box, i tried playing with it, but i don't know what it adjusts?
thanks

the adjuster is to set backlash, be careful if adjusted to zero play in the centre it will jam after half lock

the higher ratio of the GTA box will make steering feel heavier

Excellent, thanks.

I presume screwing in the adjuster will reduce play, and screwing out will increase it?

yes, but dont try to get zero play

How much play at the steering wheel would you recomend?
I never measured it with the old box, but i could have turned the wheel maybe 3 or 4 inches, which seems a lot. at least it does when you waggle it while driving and the car goes straight ahead.

So how does 1 inch sound? or maybe 1 to 2?
thanks.

1 to 2 is fine

quick ratio box is the way to go no more turning the titanic i did mine too much better

Took kitt for a test drive today. It's definitely stiffer than before. Those little corrections you have to make when driving straight, seem to turn the car too much. Its not plesent at the moment, it tends to want to zig zag up the road. I'm sure some of it is me being used to the old box. But how much is the bad tracking? As one wheel is straight and one steers a fraction left. It booked in Tuesday to get adjusted. Just looking for advice as I can't have the steering behaving like this forever

it could be that you have over adjusted the box, this will make it stiff to turn

Cool, that puts my mind at ease. Did a bit more driving so feel used to it now. The quicker ratio that is. Seems the zigzaging was me steering it like the old box. So as soon as the tracking is done it'll be great. And I'm fed up with the tyre squeal already lol. Thanks.