Technical Normal 54 Chevy car steering wheel play

Just wondering if I have the adjustment right and this is normal or if I still have adjustments to do. Seems to turn decent

https://youtube.com/shorts/XIWc1gT3k9g?si=o2NL9DxkDaQXhR6W

 

almost looks to tight. It is manual steering. jmo.

 

We can't really tell how hard you're turning it. There should not be any free play in the steering gear when it's centered. But there is usually about that much play before the wheels actually start turning in response to the steering wheel movement.

I usually check for steering gear play by having someone else move the wheel back and forth a little bit, while I watch the pitman arm....also checking for side to side movement of the pitman shaft, which indicates a worn bushing (the usual cause of play in that type of steering box)

 

https://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/shop/1949_53/09steering/9_02.HTM

 

I forgot to mention there is a bit of slop in the idler arm because I still haven't gotten around to rebuilding one lol

 

Also, get out your grease gun and grease up all your steering linkage and suspension zerk fittings. Should improve your steering response....at least for awhile.

 

Greasing will tighten things up a bit. How does it drive? I have had them real loose where I was always correcting even on straight roads.

 

Kingpins are new, tie rods are like new, drag link is rebuilt, and everything is greased. Only weak points are play in idler and adjustment on the box. Box itself is in great shape

 

Did you adjust it with the stearing in the middle of the box? The gears are designed to have minimal/almost zero play in the middle, and clearance increases as you turn off center either way..