[asstchief12]

Hi all, I have a 66 BB 396 that I have 90% restored. The front drivers side seems to "sag". The front "leans" towards the drivers side. So today we took the Springs out to check everything out. The bushings are new and in place the shocks are new and the springs are new BB springs (OPGI). The A Arms are original. When we took the springs out it they were not seated correctly in the upper control arm so we set it correctly in the upper. But then the lowers were off on both sides. Is that normal? Are Control arms BB/SB specific? Are shocks BB/SB specific? I'm at a loss. The front also when turning feels like it is "floaty"
It is original steering box, can I tighten it up?

Thanks for the help!
Mike

 

[Hi-po SS 454]

I noticed on removing my old BB springs that they were not that easy to get out and would be very hard to go back in if that was the case. I went with lowering spring so they went in easy and came out easy when I had to pull them to cut. Going into the upper pocket correctly is a must. But it also has to line up correctly on the lower arm and only lines up one way and must be correct. Shocks are the same BB or SB but SB weaker.. You must line up the bottom of spring to lower arm first when installing, pushing the top of spring into upper pocket as needed. Spring compresser usually needed.

 

[dell72]

Are you using a spring compressor ? You need to compress the spring so that it is curved. This will make it easier to install in the upper pocket and lower control arm correctly. As far as the floaty steering ,swap in a Jeep box, I just did it on my chevelle and it feels so much better

 

[asstchief12]

Thanks for the info,
we were using spring compresser and did get it in the upper pocket, but the lower would not line up on the bottom. Where the spring stop on the top and bottom are not lined up with each other or 180 degrees from each other. Not sure what deal is! thought maybe they made front control arms that were for Big Block and small block but havent seen anything on it.
Does it matter what year on the jeep steering box?

 

[TXCR13]

The front also when turning feels like it is "floaty"
It is original steering box, can I tighten it up?

Yessir, you sure can. This isn't scientific or by the book, but it has worked for me:
On top of your steering box there is an allen head screw with a lock nut on it. This is what you will need to adjust.
Park the car on a level, solid surface, like a garage floor.
Stand outside the car, move the steering wheel gently left and right while watching the drivers side tire for movement. See how much travel is in the wheel before the smallest movement of the tire.
Loosen the jam nut on the slotted screw. I think you will turn the screw to the left (CCW) to tighten up the box. It won't take much, just a turn or so.
Move the wheel again to see if the slack is out of the steering. If not, again turn the adjusting screw, until you barely feel some resistance in it.
Check steering again for slack. If it seems right, tighten the jam nut securely.
Take it out for an easy drive around some corners and see how it does.
Be very careful not to over tighten the adjustment screw to the point that you can feel any binding in the turns, and the steering wheel should re-center itself after a turn.
This will be an excellent time to pull one of the bolts out of the steering box top cover, and grease the steering box. Don't use a gear oil, use a grease gun.
As far as the "floaty" feeling, get a good front end alignment. Check this forum for specs, but DO NOT leave it up to the alignment shop to use the old specs from 66. They are set up for old technology tires. If you don't have radial tires, get them. It will make a HUGE difference in the way the car steers.

 

[myrusty66]

The bushings are new and in place the shocks are new and the springs are new BB springs (OPGI).

There are earlier posts about people getting mismatched sprinngs from OPGI and having the same issue with one side sagging.