Hard steering!?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 462
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Hard steering!?
I finally had the steering control valve, hoses and assist cylinder replaced on my '73 vette..no more leaks
..however, I don't want to sound too girlish but steering now seems to be a little harder than before...I even added more power steering fluid just in case but no change.
Is this normal or there is some adjustments to be made?
Thanks for your help.
..however, I don't want to sound too girlish but steering now seems to be a little harder than before...I even added more power steering fluid just in case but no change.Is this normal or there is some adjustments to be made?
Thanks for your help.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,272
Likes: 17
depending on who you talk to , these steering systems are great and trouble free, or the biggest pos chevy ever made, there is an adjustment for centering the valve if its harder one direction over the other, yours sounds like your pump may need replacing also
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 462
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 805
Likes: 5
From: Naperville Illinois
Cattiva, I have the exact same problem; I rebuilt my steering valve myself, and my theory is I tightened the ball stud nut too much.
I don't know if you're familiar with the parts of the valve, but I used the pin wrench from one of my angle grinders, and it allowed me to tighten the heck out of it. There is a circular spring under there to keep the ball stud/cap assembly under tension, but that assembly needs to be able to move. I think my over-tightening took too much travel out of the ball stud assembly and is therefore limiting the piston travel in the other half of the valve, and so the fluid pressure to the assist cylinder is limited as well.
Like I said, this is my theory; maybe somebody with some more experience will chime in. I have been too busy/lazy to pull the valve off the car and try backing the nut off, but it's on my list...
I don't know if you're familiar with the parts of the valve, but I used the pin wrench from one of my angle grinders, and it allowed me to tighten the heck out of it. There is a circular spring under there to keep the ball stud/cap assembly under tension, but that assembly needs to be able to move. I think my over-tightening took too much travel out of the ball stud assembly and is therefore limiting the piston travel in the other half of the valve, and so the fluid pressure to the assist cylinder is limited as well.
Like I said, this is my theory; maybe somebody with some more experience will chime in. I have been too busy/lazy to pull the valve off the car and try backing the nut off, but it's on my list...
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,743
Likes: 289
From: Chardon Ohio
I guess, in my opinion, it depends on how 'hard' it is now - relatively speaking. If it's just a little harder, it could be just from new components and a wearing in process. I had the same result. Over the past winter I rebuilt my front suspension and also replaced all steering components with rebuilt parts (cylinder, control valve, and gearbox) - not the PS pump though. And the steering was a little stiffer. Now that I have been driving it for a few weeks, it has eased up and is probably back to what it was. I would maybe give it a while to see if it eases up and go from there.
Hope this helps.
Jim
Hope this helps.
Jim
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,272
Likes: 17
I guess, in my opinion, it depends on how 'hard' it is now - relatively speaking. If it's just a little harder, it could be just from new components and a wearing in process. I had the same result. Over the past winter I rebuilt my front suspension and also replaced all steering components with rebuilt parts (cylinder, control valve, and gearbox) - not the PS pump though. And the steering was a little stiffer. Now that I have been driving it for a few weeks, it has eased up and is probably back to what it was. I would maybe give it a while to see if it eases up and go from there.
Hope this helps.
Jim
Hope this helps.
Jim
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 462
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
I guess, in my opinion, it depends on how 'hard' it is now - relatively speaking. If it's just a little harder, it could be just from new components and a wearing in process. I had the same result. Over the past winter I rebuilt my front suspension and also replaced all steering components with rebuilt parts (cylinder, control valve, and gearbox) - not the PS pump though. And the steering was a little stiffer. Now that I have been driving it for a few weeks, it has eased up and is probably back to what it was. I would maybe give it a while to see if it eases up and go from there.
Hope this helps.
Jim
Hope this helps.
Jim
BTW: Thanks I'll be driving it for a while and see.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 53,648
Likes: 878
From: Southern Cal Ca
St. Jude Donor '22
a couple thoughts.
tire pressure will affect the feel.
did you get a performance caster/front end align?
there is a thread about a mod to the pump to increase pressure.
has to do with washers under the fitting for the pressure hose.
I also did my pump, control valve and piston, Also bushes and joints rebuild.
A performance align.
feels harder at low speeds.
It took a while to get the car on the road and
I did not have a recent memory of the hardness.
I do know it has always been harder than my 68 with that big steering wheel.
All said and done, I like the tight firm feel of the wheel now.
tire pressure will affect the feel.
did you get a performance caster/front end align?
there is a thread about a mod to the pump to increase pressure.
has to do with washers under the fitting for the pressure hose.
I also did my pump, control valve and piston, Also bushes and joints rebuild.
A performance align.
feels harder at low speeds.
It took a while to get the car on the road and
I did not have a recent memory of the hardness.
I do know it has always been harder than my 68 with that big steering wheel.
All said and done, I like the tight firm feel of the wheel now.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,697
Likes: 139
From: Syracuse NY
I also rebuilt my valve, and when I stated the car for the first time, it took me a few minutes to adjust the rod correctly. By the time I got up to the top side of the car again, I saw smoke coming out of my pump and it was bone dry. I thought Id filled it enough. Anyways, it hasnt run correctly since. Steering is very tight and doesn't seem to want to return to center. Im also thinking I fried my pump. Not a big deal, but I dread crawling under that end of the car.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 45
From: Cameron Park CA
Pete