Technical Mustang Steering Box "Play" - How Much Is Okay?

EVERY steering box has some slop , if it didn't , you wouldn't be able to turn the wheel .The problem lies within the connected linkage/tires , you could lock the tie rods in place & once that oscillation begins, even that wouldn't stop it. Pull some toe out of it ....try it....change tire pressure change ... try it...& on down the line , ain't no magic fix..
dave

 

You might check the steering box bolts to the frame .Mine have come loose .

 

I agree that the fix isn't magic, but there is one and I'm determined to find it...preferably without having to change everything around. This isn't a new combination so somebody, somewhere must know what it takes to make it work without getting any low speed wobble.

Good idea, and that was one of the first things I looked at. The mount on this car is too thin and will be replaced in good time. The previous owner did some reinforcement that works and is plenty solid...but it's gawdawful ugly.

 

Several people suggested that I try a So-Cal steering damper, so I did, and am very pleased with the results. I'm not sure yet that it cured the wobble but it has made the car much more enjoyable to drive. The steering feels tighter and there's less road vibration coming up through the steering column. That in itself is worth the price of admission, which was surprisingly low!

It remains to be seen if this is the cure. I'll let you know.

 

So far, so good with the steering damper. The more I drive the car the better I like the damper. I should have added it a long time ago.



I also made a couple of other changes with good results. I replaced the Mustang V8 pitman arm with a 6-cylinder power steering pitman arm. It's longer, which makes the steering quicker and also adds resistance to give the car better road "feel". And no, it does not induce bump steer. (BTW: It was already gold iridite plated by the previous owner. It will eventually get painted high-tech black to match the rest of the chassis.)

I also added steering stops which the car did not previously have.

So, as long as nothing changes from the test ride I took today, I'm happy.