I just noticed that my nice shiny new chrome oil pan has a nice dent in it on the drivers side front from the steering linkage hitting it. Any ideas how to stop it? My freind mentioned something about steering stops that are pretty easy to make and install. While he was explaining it to me in rocket science terminology, my eyes sort of glazed over and I started to day dream.

Any help would be appreciated.

What vehicle? What motor? On my 70 with a small block & a chrome pan the zerks on the linkage hit it a little so I took a broom handle and cut the end off and used the rounded end like a punch and "clearanced" the pan slightly. It did not mess up the chrome and now it clears everything and no loss of turning radius.

LK

71 Chevelle w/350. There is quite a noticable dent in the bottom edge so doubt a broom handle would remedy it. I am more interested in steering stops or whatever they're called.

Thanks

This is a common problem on 66-67 SB engines with aftermarket (chrome) oil pans. Probably the same with yours. The answer is replacing the pan with a Genuine GM part. Seems the aftermarkets are a little big, right where they shouldn't be. Also, some aftermarkets rub on the cross member, too.

Replacing the new chrome one with a stock original just isnt an option. the last changover cost me a bundle and its not something i want to repeat. Does ANYONE have any ideas on a steering stop thingy ????

Steering stops are built into the steering gear. You would have to replace the gear or partially disassemble it to change the stops.
BillL

Replacing the new chrome one with a stock original just isnt an option. the last changover cost me a bundle and its not something i want to repeat. Does ANYONE have any ideas on a steering stop thingy ????

Learn from your mistake, do it right and put a proper pan on your car. There are other drawbacks to chrome pans besides clearance problems, like heat retention.

look were the steering arm hits the frame when you turn full lock. drill the frame, put a bolt in there with the head out, that will limit the steering so as to stop the tie rod from hitting the oil pan. That is a quick nasty way to fix it, NOT the correct way. Oh, and I did not recommend it...........:noway:

I found with my 68 with a Milodon pan it doesn't hit but in my 72 with a cheapie 7 quart pan it does. I have problems with the greese zerks. Moog steering parts don't hit but cheap brand replacements do. They don't have the zerks in the same spots.

look were the steering arm hits the frame when you turn full lock. drill the frame, put a bolt in there with the head out, that will limit the steering so as to stop the tie rod from hitting the oil pan. That is a quick nasty way to fix it, NOT the correct way. Oh, and I did not recommend it...........:noway:


i ment to say: "look were the steering arm hits the lower control arm....."...oops........

The Milodon pan on my 454 67 chevelle hit on the cross member and the steering linkage. I took a chisel for a air hammer and welded a 4" peice of 3/4" diameter steel bar stock across the end of the chisel, making it look like a T, then used the air hammer and modified chisel to slightly reform the pan were the steering linkage made contact. It was real easy and made a smooth concave in the oil pan. Next I put 3/16 thick washers between the motor mounts and the block,that doesn`t sound like much but it made a huge difference and everything clears the pan now. Good luck.

Sid

Take the zerk fittings out. Not the best answer, but better than a hole in your oil pan.