67 nova steering problem

Hi guys,Just bought a 67 nova w/manual steering and have a problem with the steering wondering and i have to constatly corect it.Could this be the adjustment on the steering box? Any Ideas? Thanks !

Welcome to the world of the 1st/2nd Gen. Nova!

Your problem certainly can be in the steering box, but there are a few other issues which plague these cars. As with any car, the bushing and ball joint wear is critical to alignment. These cars present a couple of other twists, though. Check the bushings on the strut rods that run forward from the lower control arms to the cross member beneath the radiator support. These triangulate the lower control arms to keep them from moving fore and aft. If these are loose or the bushings are excessively worn, they'll allow excess movement.

You definately have to look at the entire steering system for your issues. Consider what has been replaced and what hasn't. It could be something simple like one of the alignment specs being out of tolerance or, it could simply be everything is original and needs some attention.

What do you know about the car? Have you yourself done some work to the front end, if so what have you done? If you have not done any work to it how about the previous owner can they shed some light on the subject? It will be easier to help you out if we know a little more information. You could find yourself putting a lot of money into your front end without any positive results to find out it was a simple bushing needing attention or maybe an adjustment to the caster setting etc. etc.

I'll look at all the bushings again,didnt see anything obvious but when I get my driving RPM's down maybe I'll look into alignment. I know the right front tire is worn far more that the rest.

chuckha62, I just looked at the strut rod bushings and the one on the drivers side doesnt look right. Looking at both sides that one doesnt seem seated properly. I'm going to order 2 new ones and change them over thanksgiving week end. Thats for the info...appreciate it !!!

The idler arms are notorious for wearing out on these too. I'd recommend the bearing kit from C2O. It really tightens up the front end. Also use the alignment specs on the C2O web page.

With these strut rod bushings,I notice they come in rubber and polyeurathane. Would either one be better than the other?

Stick with the rubber strut rod bushings, the poly ones much harder and will stress the rods.

With these strut rod bushings,I notice they come in rubber and polyeurathane. Would either one be better than the other?

DO NOT USE THE POLYURETHANE ones as they are to stiff and will cause the strut rod to brake. I know of at lest four car wrecked this year do to the polyurethane bushing on the strut's. No joking around here on that.

as hard as those cars are getting to find , i'd do the whole front end. Its worth it. Check out the car thats on the drag racing section that just wrecked. Looked like a sweet car , shame its gone.

chuckha62, I just looked at the strut rod bushings and the one on the drivers side doesnt look right. Looking at both sides that one doesnt seem seated properly. I'm going to order 2 new ones and change them over thanksgiving week end. Thats for the info...appreciate it !!!

Measure the position of the current bushings (rear ones, for sure) before you take them off. Put the new bushings in the same position as a start. This SHOULD be close enough to get you to an alignment shop. Definitely get it aligned as soon as you replace them, though.

I already purchased poly,but I will go with the rubber based on the feedback I get here. Does anyone know where I can purchase good rubber bushings?

I replaced my front bushings with Poly 8 years ago. Still running same.
No issues.

ok,Got my bushings from global west,Have to put them in,they are different than original. I have to staighten one strut rod first.

Where in the strut rod is it bent I.E. in the middle or at either end close to the mounting point. If it is close to the mounting point I would probably look replacing it. If you are in need of one send me a PM I have a few left over from some conversions that are straight.

...I have a few left over from some conversions that are straight.

If you're going to use them in California, they better both be straight....

I was really suprised that nobody mentioned the kit that CPP sells. Its the front-end conversion kit that convert to lower tubular A-arms. You can also purchase upper tubular A-arms also.
My car wondered on the road to and I purchased the upper and lower tubular A-arm kit that CPP produces and it was the best 700.00 I've spent on the car and it drives excellant now.
But if you want to keep the front-end stock I understand, you can also spend alot on that old front-end to.

Well new bushings are in and the car is just a bit better,I dont know if thiscar has been aligned in recent years.When I'm driving straight,the steering wheel is turned to the right.So I'll wait and get it done sometime.

The CPP tubular arm kit is an awesome upgrade, but he was asking about wandering with his current setup. There's no reason the stock suspension can't be made stable and safe.

Check the idler arm and look into the bearing conversion kit.
As I recall it is only about $100 and combined with a good alignment can really tighten up the front end.

Dan, What is C20 that you mentioned? Is that a retailer of aftermarket equipment?

I believe he is refering to chevy2only it is a Nova parts supplier.

http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb.dll?parta~dyndetail~Z5Z5Z50000132a~Z5Z5Z599557~ P89.95~~~~S2IP12MPEP76102821316d~Z5Z5Z5~Z5Z5Z50000 132A

I see there is an aftermarket sway bar {front} for the 67 nova,Does this improve the handling of the front end?

I see there is an aftermarket sway bar {front} for the 67 nova,Does this improve the handling of the front end?Yes there is..its made by addco....Night and day difference in driving...especially for a $150 investment!I highly recommend getting one

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1962-1967-Nova-ADDCO-performance-rear-sway-bar_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1205Q7c66Q3a2 Q7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318QQ_trksidZp3286Q2e c0Q2em14QQhashZitem350131187166QQitemZ350131187166 QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories