Steering questions?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,005
Likes: 0
From: Ridgecrest CA
Steering questions?
I am working on replacing the power steering on my 78, and have a couple of questions.
The valve screws onto the end of the connecting rod, so should I screw it on all the way, or give it a few threads for adjustment?
Should the pitman arm be free to turn side to side?
If I understand correctly, the steering box should move the pitman arm from front to back, and when it pivots the valve, the valve makes the ram move back and forth?
When I put the valve on the connecting rod, how do I set it to be centered?
Anything else I should know?
The valve screws onto the end of the connecting rod, so should I screw it on all the way, or give it a few threads for adjustment?
Should the pitman arm be free to turn side to side?
If I understand correctly, the steering box should move the pitman arm from front to back, and when it pivots the valve, the valve makes the ram move back and forth?
When I put the valve on the connecting rod, how do I set it to be centered?
Anything else I should know?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
If I remember correctly, there is a notch on the relay rod for the pinch bolt that holds the control valve in place. You must screw the control valve onto the relay rod until you can easily pass the bolt through the notch. You don't use the control valve threads to center your steering wheel, you use the tie rods.
Install the control valve. Then use my steering wheel centering paper to make sure that all the rest of the parts in your steering system are assembled correctly. If you have new tie rod ends or a new relay rod, you will need the toe adjusted at an alignment shop.
Go to www.corvettefaq.com and click on Jim Shea's steering papers. Click on Corvette Papers and find the one on Steering System Centering.
Good luck,
Jim
Install the control valve. Then use my steering wheel centering paper to make sure that all the rest of the parts in your steering system are assembled correctly. If you have new tie rod ends or a new relay rod, you will need the toe adjusted at an alignment shop.
Go to www.corvettefaq.com and click on Jim Shea's steering papers. Click on Corvette Papers and find the one on Steering System Centering.
Good luck,
Jim
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,005
Likes: 0
From: Ridgecrest CA
Thanks, that is great info.
One last question, what do I use to separate the pitman arm from the control valve? It is a pressure fit, so do I just use a tie-rod puller? Or is there some other trick to it?
One last question, what do I use to separate the pitman arm from the control valve? It is a pressure fit, so do I just use a tie-rod puller? Or is there some other trick to it?
