Power Steering Woes
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,569
Likes: 126
From: San Diego California
Power Steering Woes
Even after following this printed guide to a T,
http://willcoxcorvette.com/instructi...ADJUSTMENT.pdf
the steering still isn't right. That adjustment nut is extremely touchy. I have twice had the car up on jackstands to balance it out, but it won't do it.
The car steers left with very little effort. Actually, it almost "takes off" steering left on it's own after a little nudge. But when turning left, it takes much more effort (about as much as a non-power steering car).
I have steered to both stops many times in an effort to bleed out any air. I have tightened up the PS Pump Belt so there is no squeal after reaching either stop.
I am wondering now about the components I installed. The Power Cylinder, Power Control Valve, Pump, and Tie Rods were all new and already bought by the PO. The hoses I had to buy, new of course. And for fluid I am using an actual Power Steering Fluid.
Any ideas on what might be wrong here will be greatly appreciated. Right now I consider this condition too risky for road travel. Thanks.
Steve
http://willcoxcorvette.com/instructi...ADJUSTMENT.pdf
the steering still isn't right. That adjustment nut is extremely touchy. I have twice had the car up on jackstands to balance it out, but it won't do it.
The car steers left with very little effort. Actually, it almost "takes off" steering left on it's own after a little nudge. But when turning left, it takes much more effort (about as much as a non-power steering car).
I have steered to both stops many times in an effort to bleed out any air. I have tightened up the PS Pump Belt so there is no squeal after reaching either stop.
I am wondering now about the components I installed. The Power Cylinder, Power Control Valve, Pump, and Tie Rods were all new and already bought by the PO. The hoses I had to buy, new of course. And for fluid I am using an actual Power Steering Fluid.
Any ideas on what might be wrong here will be greatly appreciated. Right now I consider this condition too risky for road travel. Thanks.
Steve
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,126
Likes: 15
When you adjust the nut are the front wheels off the ground? Is the cylinder connected to the frame bracket or detached? When I adjust mine I can control the directional movement of the front wheels with the nut. mike...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,569
Likes: 126
From: San Diego California
When you adjust the nut are the front wheels off the ground?
Yes, as the Advisory Circular says. AAMOF, I even removed the wheels.
Is the cylinder connected to the frame bracket or detached?
First Detached, as printed, then attached. Then the disappointment.
When I adjust mine I can control the directional movement of the front wheels with the nut. mike...
Mine does this also.
Yes, as the Advisory Circular says. AAMOF, I even removed the wheels.
Is the cylinder connected to the frame bracket or detached?
First Detached, as printed, then attached. Then the disappointment.
When I adjust mine I can control the directional movement of the front wheels with the nut. mike...
Mine does this also.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,126
Likes: 15
The control valve. Is it a rebuilt by the PO or a Vendor? Jim Shea has a lot of info on his pages. There was another Member having the same issues recently. I will try to find the thread. mike...
Last edited by mds3013; Feb 2, 2014 at 02:44 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,569
Likes: 126
From: San Diego California
I would say it was a vendor
The ram looked new from a vendor too; fresh paint, and in a mesh poly wrap.
Thanks for your attention Mike.
Steve
BTW, I started the car this afternoon, and as soon as it started, the wheel starts turning left. After warm up, I could get it to "shudder" when just nudging the wheel to the left.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,569
Likes: 126
From: San Diego California
Ya know the car came with TWO control valve cores and one ram core. Maybe I should rebuild a control valve myself?
Steve
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,179
Likes: 3
From: STANTON CA
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Christchurch, New Zealand
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,569
Likes: 126
From: San Diego California
Then you may need this.....
http://www.cssbinc.com/images/ads/ho...structions.pdf
http://www.cssbinc.com/images/ads/ho...structions.pdf
Thank you so very very much. I do need these instructions, and will get a couple of these kits if both cores are rebuildable.
Steve
P.S.: Christchurch eh? My brother up from you in Nelson thanks you too!
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
Did you 'bleed' the air from the system by exercising the steering several times before and after firing the engine? Have you verified that the hoses are connected properly (per Chevy manual and/or AIM)?
If you have done everything properly, you may be another 'victim' of a defective control valve rebuild. I'm sure that it's "guaranteed" [aka, if you send it back, they'll give you another one JUST LIKE IT
].
If you still have the original core, send the bad one back for a refund AND a rebuild kit for yours. If it is correctly built and the system is assembled properly, there should be no problem getting it to balance.
If you have done everything properly, you may be another 'victim' of a defective control valve rebuild. I'm sure that it's "guaranteed" [aka, if you send it back, they'll give you another one JUST LIKE IT
].If you still have the original core, send the bad one back for a refund AND a rebuild kit for yours. If it is correctly built and the system is assembled properly, there should be no problem getting it to balance.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,569
Likes: 126
From: San Diego California
Thanks for the input though. Anything can only help at this point. It is all appreciated. 
Any list of companies who rebuild these I can find?
Steve
Any list of companies who rebuild these I can find?
Steve
Did you 'bleed' the air from the system by exercising the steering several times before and after firing the engine?
Yes. On both counts.
Have you verified that the hoses are connected properly (per Chevy manual and/or AIM)?
Yes. And I referenced FOUR sources of diagrams pertaining to this.
If you have done everything properly, you may be another 'victim' of a defective control valve rebuild. I'm sure that it's "guaranteed" [aka, if you send it back, they'll give you another one JUST LIKE IT].
If you still have the original core, send the bad one back for a refund AND a rebuild kit for yours. If it is correctly built and the system is assembled properly, there should be no problem getting it to balance.
Since I'm not the person who purchased it, I'm sure the company (who I don't even know) will not honor a warrantee anyway. Remember these parts came with the car.
Yes. On both counts.
Have you verified that the hoses are connected properly (per Chevy manual and/or AIM)?
Yes. And I referenced FOUR sources of diagrams pertaining to this.
If you have done everything properly, you may be another 'victim' of a defective control valve rebuild. I'm sure that it's "guaranteed" [aka, if you send it back, they'll give you another one JUST LIKE IT
].If you still have the original core, send the bad one back for a refund AND a rebuild kit for yours. If it is correctly built and the system is assembled properly, there should be no problem getting it to balance.
Since I'm not the person who purchased it, I'm sure the company (who I don't even know) will not honor a warrantee anyway. Remember these parts came with the car.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,569
Likes: 126
From: San Diego California
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
Just buy a new rebuild kit and rebuild the one you have. Unless they actually left parts out (still a possibility, I'm afraid 
), you should be able to get a 'good' one that way.
Find a write-up by Jim Shea on performing that rebuild. I'm sure someone will insert it shortly in their post.
), you should be able to get a 'good' one that way.Find a write-up by Jim Shea on performing that rebuild. I'm sure someone will insert it shortly in their post.