Steering of 81 Fiat FI

Suspension related stuff goes in here.
Docdawg
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Apr 16, 2009 10:00 am
Your car is a: 1981 Fiat Spider 124 FI

Steering of 81 Fiat FI

Postby Docdawg » Fri Apr 28, 2017 7:36 pm

Have replaced steering box and rocker arm but car is still not steering really good. I live in Roversville, TN east of Knoxville and have as of yet found anyone to work on my Fiat, any suggestions appreciated.

vandor
Posts: 3996
Joined: Sat May 23, 2009 1:23 pm
Your car is a: 1971 124 Spider
Location: Texas, USA

Re: Steering of 81 Fiat FI

Postby vandor » Sat Apr 29, 2017 12:59 am

What are the symptoms?
I have a colleague in Knoxville, I will ask him.
Csaba
'71 124 Spider, much modified
'17 124 Abarth, silver
http://italiancarclub.com/csaba/
Co-owner of the best dang Fiat parts place in town

klweimer
Posts: 550
Joined: Tue Mar 27, 2012 7:45 am
Your car is a: 1982 Spider 2000
Location: Arvada, Colorado

Re: Steering of 81 Fiat FI

Postby klweimer » Sat Apr 29, 2017 8:01 am

Have you replaced anything else on the front end? After 36 years, anything remaining that is original should be replaced. Also possible the alignment is whacked. If you jack the front end slightly off the ground, you can see how the steering behaves when unloaded. Also check tire pressure.
Kirk

Docdawg
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Apr 16, 2009 10:00 am
Your car is a: 1981 Fiat Spider 124 FI

Re: Steering of 81 Fiat FI

Postby Docdawg » Sat Apr 29, 2017 6:47 pm

The steering wheel has a lot of play in it now

User avatar
So Cal Mark
Posts: 13839
Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2006 3:45 pm
Your car is a: Fiat
Location: upland, ca.

Re: Steering of 81 Fiat FI

Postby So Cal Mark » Sat Apr 29, 2017 7:40 pm

if the steering has a lot of play you have worn parts.
Mark Allison
allisonsautomotive.com Fiat and Alfa Romeo parts and service. Performance parts our specialty!
Headers, ignitions, wheels, cams, flywheels
starsmark@hotmail.com 909-981-3566

ORFORD2004
Posts: 1099
Joined: Wed Mar 17, 2010 9:48 pm
Your car is a: 1983 PININFARINA
Location: Sherbrooke, Qc, Canada

Re: Steering of 81 Fiat FI

Postby ORFORD2004 » Sun Apr 30, 2017 12:33 am

If, with front wheels in straight ahead position, steering wheel free travel at rim is more than one inch, steering box may need adjustment.
The adjustment between worm and roller must be made with pitman arm in mid position (front wheels straight ahead).
Loosen locknut. turn adjusting screw clockwise until steering wheel free play is less than 1 inch.
To check that adjustment is not to tight, move steering wheel from left turn to full right turn. (wheels of the ground)
There should be no binding or tightness at end of wheel travel. If tightness is felt, back off on adjustment until it is eliminated.
With screwdriver holding adjusting screw in position, tighten locknut to secure adjustment.

From my Fiat Bible :wink:

vandor
Posts: 3996
Joined: Sat May 23, 2009 1:23 pm
Your car is a: 1971 124 Spider
Location: Texas, USA

Re: Steering of 81 Fiat FI

Postby vandor » Sun Apr 30, 2017 1:17 am

Just because the steering box is new it may need an initial adjustment. Also if the steering box is not centered (same number of turns to the left and tothe right) there will be excessive play on center. I would guess most shops would not check this.
Csaba
'71 124 Spider, much modified
'17 124 Abarth, silver
http://italiancarclub.com/csaba/
Co-owner of the best dang Fiat parts place in town

vandor
Posts: 3996
Joined: Sat May 23, 2009 1:23 pm
Your car is a: 1971 124 Spider
Location: Texas, USA

Re: Steering of 81 Fiat FI

Postby vandor » Mon May 01, 2017 11:53 pm

My colleague says that he has taken his old Fiats (X1/9s) to Alignment Professionals, and they were sympathetic to old cars.
Csaba
'71 124 Spider, much modified
'17 124 Abarth, silver
http://italiancarclub.com/csaba/
Co-owner of the best dang Fiat parts place in town


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