ChocDog

Here's a shot of my valve. How do I know if I should rebuild it or not? Thanks!

Thmprr

I can't see any real area of concern other than the hose clamp on the return line and minor leak stain on one of the ram lines. Have you ever driven it?
However if it is a project car, it wouldn't hurt to rebuild it as an insurance.

Jud Chapin

I would rebuild it...there is just a few seals to replace.

ChocDog

That's exactly the problem, I haven't driven the car. Bought it as a project begun but not finished. The PO said (and I can see) that the suspension was all updated but that he hadn't done anything to the stearing, which seemed to work fine. The car has 90K miles so it may be time to redo.

tigers123

Cross that bridge when you come to it.

ChocDog

That's what my mechanic bro-in-law says too. Since the stearing isn't hard to get to, he says to wait and see. I go back to "the U" part time on the 23rd of June and full time in August. Since this is my last year, I'll be pretty busy with clinics, etc. and was hoping to really jam and get as much done as possible right now. Doing the stearing would add another thing to do, but I'd only be doing it once.

I guess maybe I should have asked how hard it is to rebuild and how long it would take to do it.

79VAVette

I guess maybe I should have asked how hard it is to rebuild and how long it would take to do it. [/QUOTE]

About 2 hours and $20. Get Jim Shea's papers:

http://wiki.corvettefaq.com/index.php?title=Main_Page

I would change the hoses too, around $55.

ImBatman

About 2 hours and $20. Get Jim Shea's papers:

http://wiki.corvettefaq.com/index.php?title=Main_Page

I would change the hoses too, around $55.[/QUOTE]

I tried the link and it does not work. I know that I have been out to the corvettefaq site before but even my book mark does not work. Is that site still available or is it just down for now.

How many have rebuilt their PS valves? Do the rebuild kits come with all the vital parts needed?


Don't want to highjack ChocDog but this is related and may help. Some of you may have read that I can no longer turn my steering to the right. I have verified that nothing is hanging in the suspension, blown out all the hoses, replaced the steering cylinder and the steering still want turn to the right with the cylinder hooked to the frame. If you disconnect the cylinder then the steering is free lock to lock. The only thing I have not replaced\rebuilt is the valve itself.

Thanks
Wade

mayberg

Wade - have you balanced the control valve? The procedure is in the shop manual. You basically pop the dust cover off and turn the nut until the valve neither pushes nor pulls the steering. It's pretty simple but sometimes overlooked.

One dude that was trying to sell a 79 was having trouble with the steering pulling, and a shop quoted him $100 to fix it. I was interested in buying the car (but didn't) and fixed it for him in my garage after a few minutes by balancing the valve.

wjsullivan

I can't tell anything from the picture. Rebuilding it is very easy and relatively cheap.

First check the fluid levels and clean off the cylinder, hoses and valve. Then drive the car and see if you have any leaks. If it leaks, rebuild it and replace the hoses.

Disco_Mike

Mine is leaking badly.

Thanks for the Jim Shea paper site. I was looking for them.

kapla74

[QUOTE=One dude that was trying to sell a 79 was having trouble with the steering pulling, and a shop quoted him $100 to fix it. I was interested in buying the car (but didn't) and fixed it for him in my garage after a few minutes by balancing the valve.[/QUOTE]

I think thats my problem, when going on big highway turns either sides I can feel after returning to a straight position the steering makes force to the side i turned before. Am I clear with my problem?

ChocDog

Not a highjack at all. Thanks for your input. And thanks also Blackrat for the link. It works fine for me. I think I'll give it a go.
Kelly

Aggitated Monkey

The valve is out and has been of the car and could also be dried out. I would repack it before re-installing. This valve can and will leak and make unwanted steering input. You will need to remember to adjust it once things are running.

Red 69

This is a good post on rebuilding the control valve and with pics.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1855649