Hello ya'll, I have a 70 ss396. Just rebuilt the front end. My upper A arm bushings were shot. Car was squirrelly. Replace with original equipment all upper a arms, lower a arms, upper and lower ball joints, inner and outer tie rod ends, and center link. Car does not pop or rattle any more. Had a front end alignment but the car is a hair bit squirrelly when you excellerant. It is like you have to counter steer a bit when you get in and out of the gas. There is no play in any of the suspension components up front. I pulled the original 35 year old ball joints out this winter. Any sugestions? Also how do you check and take the slack out of your steering gear box. Thanks Gerard in New Orleans.

To check for play, turn the steering wheel gently and see how much you can turn it before the wheels start to move and/or you begin to feel any resistance.

There should be a big set screw with a locking nut on the steering box. You must loosen the locking nut and then you can adjust the steering box play with the set screw. You do not want the steering box over tight, as it will bind and destroy the box.

If your car is squirrely when you apply power, you may find the solution in the rear suspension, which you did not elaborate on.

You may also profit by taking your car to another shop and have the alignment checked. I've had to do this a couple of times in the past, and found that in fact the alignment was actually off.

Medic Ted is right on the money about taking it easy adjusting the steerbox.
You definitely do not want to over tighten it.

I adjusted my Z/28's box, and it was ok, but when I stabbed in a new (GM, not rebuilt) IROC box I tossed the old 140,000 mile jobber after the first drive and never looked back. I'm gonna do the same with my '66 Elco's slow steerbox. I hear that the S-10 has a fast box available as optional equipment (YZ8 ?) that bolts in to the early Chevelle chassis. The IROC (or WS-6) 'box will bolt in too, but I've been told that the stops are too restrictive for U-turns.
On your '70, a nice 12.5:1 ratio box will wake the driver right up.

Thanks fellas. My rear suspension has new spings and shocks and spring insulators, but the rear bushings I believe are 35yrs old. I will take out the back lash in the gear box first. Not to much. I will sneak up on it like rabbit hunting. Hope that works. Thanks Gerard

Be careful and do not over tighten the steering box. Look on the opposite side that you are steering towards and that will most likely be the worse side. Your rear bushings most likely need replaced. You should be able to see where your rear control arms have been moving.