Hi Guys,
I have a 1971 Convertible 350 Manual Trans. I've owned it for 8 years now.
Up until about 20 minutes ago, I've always been happy in the knowledge that I have a non-power steering car. (As it has been manual steering as long as I've owned it)
Over the years, I've made many upgrades to the steering system (among other things) to try to get some of the slop out of the steering system. It has all new ball joints, tie rods, sway links, shocks, Rebuilt steering box from Van Steel.... just about everything.
So I traced what "looseness" is left down to the steering relay... only to realize that it is actually a PS control valve hanging out there on the end of the relay. Don't ask me how I missed it for so long ... with everything else I've replaced on this car, I just overlooked it.
Now I have a dilemma in that I'm not sure how to proceed. There is NO other PS equipment on this car. No pump, no brackets, no cylinders, no hoses... just this control valve. Obviously, sourcing the rest of this equipment is going to be REALLY expensive.
I'd like to keep this a non-PS car, but I don't see non-PS relay rods available for sale anywhere. Can I buy a replacement/rebuilt PS valve and swap it in and hope it gets rid of the "looseness"? This is a really roundabout way to fix this problem (if it fixes it at all), and isn't the "right" thing to do, which I hate doing.
Any advice from you guys would be MUCH appreciated.
Thanks!
P.S. - Sorry about the wall of text!

 

There is no need to purchase a replacement control valve. The one you have is not connected and is not doing anything. It is not contributing to your steering looseness.

Take a look at the idler arm bushings.

 

Will this fix your problem?
http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/Ca...215_0371863443

Find a used Center Link and rebuild it.
http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/Ca...658_0129975505

 

I'm not an expert on this but I've read on this forum that is normal for there to be play in the control valve until the engine is running and the valve is pressurized. If that's the case then rebuilding or replacing it won't help.

 

Good point!

 

my 68 came with manuel steering, the 'relay link' is different between manuel and p/s, manuel steer the ball socket shown in the NAPA link above with the spring loaded ball socket will eliminate your play. The p/s relay the ball socket is actually the device that moves the valve for directional oil flow and will always seem like play in the steering. The c3 and c2 p/s is power assist steering. Think, how long ago this was engineered.Believe it or not they used this design on old Clark forklift trucks. They all had thet play over the top. You need the manuel link. My 69 has p/s and has that play, my 68 did not when it was manuel. Hope this helps.

 

If you want to keep it manual steering, then this might help. Just replace the PS Valve with this manual relay end adapter.
http://www.borgeson.com/xcart/catalo...te-p-1523.html

Also you should look at the rag joint from the steering column to the gear box.

 

As mentioned above, the P/S control valve has a spring-loaded setup next to the ball-stud, so that there is some 'cushion' effect when the steering direction is changed. When it is operational, almost all of that spring movement is dampened with the high-pressure fluid. But, if it is NOT operational, there will be significant play in the action between the steering box and the control valve. If you want to maintain it as a manual steering car, you will need to find a manual steering relay rod and Pittman arm [output arm on steering box] from a salvaged parts place and swap them out. That should eliminate that 'slop' you are feeling.

 

Thank you everyone for the advice, and thanks to mikep for finding the drag link adapter... I didn't even know those existed.

 

Bite the bullet! I've owned my '69 427/435 since June of 1970. It also was a manual steering car and although at speed, it was OK, parking and slow speed was a bear. I just had a Borgeson power steering kit installed and I can't tell you how much BETTER my 40+ year old car drives. It feels like a brand new car. I was in my twenties when I purchased the car and I am 66. I'd give anything to go back and change the steering way back when. You will not regret this upgrade. Borgeson sells a complete kit for around $1100 or so. If you're fairly handy...and young....you can do the job yourself. Contact me if you have any questions and I'll try to help. Manual steering on a big block Corvette is torture and you'll know that once you convert to Borgeson Power Steering.

 

I have one on my non-ps car - it was frightening to drive with the power steering valve still attached; now it handles very, very well

while you're at it, replace the rag joint with a borgeson u-joint.... it really tightens the steering up as well.