Dead spot / looseness in steering after engine swap
#1
Launching!
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Unhappy](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon9.gif)
I had my front cradle removed for a few months, swapped in a new cammed motor, and now Ive got a huge dead spot or loose feeling where I can rock the wheel back and forth with no wheel motion. The power steering system was never disconnected, I zip tied it to the strut tower in the cradle while it was waiting for new motor. I had a machine shop issue so it sat for like 5 months.
Any idea what this could be?
Is it possible moisture seeped in from not being driven for so long?
Is it possble the ball joints and tie rods are shot from sitting dropped to the max on a cart for so long?
Anyone with any experience in this please let me know. Its stock z28 springs w 275 35 r 18s. Im going to try getting an alignment, but Im not sure thats the issue.
Any idea what this could be?
Is it possible moisture seeped in from not being driven for so long?
Is it possble the ball joints and tie rods are shot from sitting dropped to the max on a cart for so long?
Anyone with any experience in this please let me know. Its stock z28 springs w 275 35 r 18s. Im going to try getting an alignment, but Im not sure thats the issue.
![Bang Head](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_banghead.gif)
#3
TECH Resident
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: CT
Posts: 873
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/ranks/ls1tech10year.png)
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Check the linkage bolt on the steering column by the headers. I had the same problem a long time ago when headers were put in and they loosend it for more room to work with. It may be loose.
#4
Launching!
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I put my own headers in, along with the entire engine and kmember. Obviously the rack was disconnected from the steering shaft. My understanding of the shaft is it will only fit on one way because the bolt will not pass through if its not in the right spot. It is tight. I will check the tightness of the rack, although I dont know how that could have been affected. Any other ideas? Im suspicous my tie rod ends are shot from sitting at full droop with the cradle on a cart. Are the spherical racing ends worth it? Im still suspicous moisture could have gotten in the system from sitting so long, but Id think it would boil out after heating up.
#5
12 Second Club
iTrader: (20)
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Drexel Hill
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
are there bushings where the steering rack slips on to the k-member??? ive never looked at mine but maybe your missing a bushing???
Last edited by Dskeet6; 01-25-2008 at 12:16 PM.