help! steering control valve
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Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 133
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From: Orlando Fla
help! steering control valve
I decided to attempt to fix my leaking steering control valve. After reading the archive info on this forum, I figured it was worth a try to attempt the rebuild kit. Well, I got the CV off and bench rebuild the thing with a kit. Everything seemed to be fine until I tried putting back on the car. I counted 15 turns when taking the CV off the relay rod; upon putting it back on, after the 14 turn it was very very hard to turn any more. I got it back to where I think it was but now I need pliers to turn anymore. When I put the ball stud back thru the pitman arm and put the nut on, it made about 6 turns (on the nut to tighten)and now the whole nut-ball stud turns in the control valve so I cannot tighten it. That can't be right??
I am thinking when I rebuilt the ball-stud side of the CV that I did not get the ball adjusted nut tight. (I thought I bottomed it out and then backed off a little to line up the slot with the notches and I know I put the spring with small coil down). Can someone please tell me what I am doing wrong.
Also, when you put the CV back on the relay rod, can the valve be slightly tilted past the vertical so that the ball stud is perpendicular to the pitman arm ?
I am thinking when I rebuilt the ball-stud side of the CV that I did not get the ball adjusted nut tight. (I thought I bottomed it out and then backed off a little to line up the slot with the notches and I know I put the spring with small coil down). Can someone please tell me what I am doing wrong.
Also, when you put the CV back on the relay rod, can the valve be slightly tilted past the vertical so that the ball stud is perpendicular to the pitman arm ?
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You asked so.... Trying to rebuild these things is a wast of time in my opinion. When my steering went South I bought the entire package from ZIP Products. It includes steering control valve, PS pump, Ram and new lines. After the core charge was refunded it's about $300 and you're done. That's the way to go. Steering and brakes are too critical to mess with unless you really know what you are doing.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: New York
I recently did a CV and slave cylinder on a 68 Mustang, these steering systems seem very similar for that era but I'm not that much up on vettes yet.
Does the CV on your vette have a pin that holds the CV in locked position like my stang?, I would think it would.
The ball nut shouldn't be spinning and not allowing you to tighten it,
you must have done something wrong on the rebuild.
I had a 4 7/8" measurement from the ball stud center to the outter tie rod center, again I'm sure your vette has a required distance as well I would think. A search on here might yield more answers for you.
I agree with capevettes, I'd replace w/ new parts or have someone rebuild it that knows the specs and has the experience. Good luck, these steering problems can get to be a real pain.
Does the CV on your vette have a pin that holds the CV in locked position like my stang?, I would think it would.
The ball nut shouldn't be spinning and not allowing you to tighten it,
you must have done something wrong on the rebuild.
I had a 4 7/8" measurement from the ball stud center to the outter tie rod center, again I'm sure your vette has a required distance as well I would think. A search on here might yield more answers for you.
I agree with capevettes, I'd replace w/ new parts or have someone rebuild it that knows the specs and has the experience. Good luck, these steering problems can get to be a real pain.
