I recently purchased a '55 Buick. The steering is very hard. I am aware it doesn't have power steering, but it is 3x harder to steer than my '53 Chevy. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
If the steering joints are all in good shape and greased, but the steering is harder than you think it ought to be, try inflating the front tires to the maximum pressure that's on the sidewalls. Just do it as an experiment after you've checked the front end, to see if you can live with it or not.
How does it feel with the front tires in the air? In the air the steering should be very light. If its heavy there maybe start disconnection tie rods until it lightens up. That should help pinpoint the problem. The steering in my '56 buick is pretty light - lighter than my '76 toyota with manual steering and my sister's '73 bug. Ryland
Everything looks good. Clean and well greased. Tires have a little age on em but not bad. I read that power steering install on these cars is a lot of work. Is this true? Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Thanks! I'll try putting it on the stands and see what's good. At this point I have to use my entire weight to cut the wheel when I back it up! Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
I had a '55 Buick Special convertible and I don't remember it being particularly hard to steer. These are heavy cars though. Do you have stock width wheels and tires? Radials or bias? Tires fully inflated? When you say it's hard, do you mean when you are travelling at speed down the road or sitting in your driveway? Before you start thinking about power steering, I would do as 3-spd suggested and get the front end in the air and try to determine what the problem might be. If it's truly that hard to steer I would check it out as you might have a serious safety issue if some component is binding that bad.
Had a 55 Special with manual steering and never considered it hard to steer. You have something binding.
When at traveling speed it steers fine but when you come to a complete stop cutting the wheel is exceedingly difficult until you hit a certain point then it loosens up substantially and turns fine. I hope that made sense.. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
At rest (not moving) it will be extremely difficult to turn the steering wheel. You are trying to overcome all the friction the tire provides against the pavement. If the car is rolling, even a little bit, the steering should be noticeably easier. Get someone who is familiar with older automobiles to try it before you get too carried away trying to solve a problem that may not exist. You MAY have a problem, but from your description, it is difficult to know for sure.
I recently discovered my hard steering was because somebody tried to adjust a sloppy center link via the steering box! They adjusted the box so much it bound it up internally. Jack it up and steer it, see if its still tight up in the air.
The V8 Buick forum. It had said it was a substantial job and not always worth doing. I can drive the Bel Air, manual steering, with no issues like this. I was hoping my description as far as stop and go driving in the Buick would have made some sense. :-\ Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
That is what i was going to suggest ,to see if some one over tighten the steering box.I had a 53 buick special and it was a bear to steer when you werent moving.Bruce.
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