C3 driving experience

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Oct 16, 2015 | 08:23 PM

#41

TheSkunkWorks

Le Mans Master

Joined: Apr 2007

Posts: 7,353

Likes: 72

From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigeddie

hey before you decide on rack and pinion take a look at the burgeon steering!

That's what I'd probably do, should I ever decide to go back to PS.

And, yes, you read that right. I actually converted FROM power to manual on purpose - primarily as a health & safety after the stock PS had tried to off me, but I then found the improved feedback much to my liking. In any event, having found Heidts has an adjustable valve that lets you dial in the amount of assist, my going to the Borgeson PS has suddenly gotten much more likely. I would NOT re-install the OEM system.

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Last edited by TheSkunkWorks; Oct 17, 2015 at 12:53 AM. Reason: I apparently suffer from somewhat of a curse when it comes to using proper grammar and spelling.

Oct 16, 2015 | 08:23 PM

#42

F22

Le Mans Master

Joined: Oct 2006

Posts: 6,842

Likes: 285

From: Palmdale CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by The13Bats

I have hated the cantankerous stock c3 power steering for over 30 years, leak and slop prone floaty feeling, I planned rack and pinion but at the moment the hurdle is I have VBP transverse front spring and hooker headers and according to VBP no R&P will fit without mods,
the borgeson is a winner for me, while it's not as nice as a rack would be it's cheaper and far less work to install...I am still in research mode but on my steering something has to happen.

Bats, my '74 has been totally gone through front suspension wise, including A-Arm Bushings, new wheel bearings and the stock power steering ram was rebuilt as well. Two years later, no leaks, no drips and when I finally got the alignment right, no float, no wander. It actually drives, really nicely, even at triple digit speeds (065!

Oct 16, 2015 | 08:46 PM

#43

Priya

Le Mans Master

Joined: Dec 2009

Posts: 6,397

Likes: 649

From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan

My 79 steers as well as any other car I've ever driven.

Oct 16, 2015 | 08:51 PM

#44

ronarndt

Thread Starter

Drifting

Joined: Jul 2015

Posts: 1,765

Likes: 253

From: Catlett VA

old car owners

Quote:

Originally Posted by loup68

Okay Ron, I'll bite, how old are you? I am 68, have had my 68 coupe for 43 years and I worked in maintenance in the original MTD... Modern Tool & Die company, Cleveland automotive plant, for 34 years, until they closed our plant in 2007 and I had to retire early. MTD is the largest maker of outdoor power equipment...lawn mowers.
We made Corvette parts and 60% of MTD's replacement lawn mower blades.
Please read my thread in CF general " A long time chrome bumper owner speaks". Lou.

I'll be 69 this December. Wow, MTD. I had all kinds of their stuff. Still have a push mower that will not die. And you also made Corvette parts. No wonder you have one! My job manufacturing vaccines and countermeasures for bio-defense for the DoD has nothing to do with Corvettes, but I grew up in a family where you were expected to know something about cars, so I worked on them from the time I was 8 or 10 helping my dad do basic maintenance. Now I find it relaxing- except when I am swearing about some dumb repair the previous owner did. RA

Oct 16, 2015 | 09:42 PM

#45

Give'rBuddy

Intermediate

Joined: Sep 2013

Posts: 33

Likes: 0

Adjusting the lash in the steering box made a HUGE difference in my '81. It was wandering all over the road before and road grooves would make me scary to drive beside. But once I tightened up the box it drove straight and true. The tires still have great tread but are 10 years old and the alignment has never been done in 15 years so it was definitely the right place to start.

Oct 16, 2015 | 10:46 PM

#46

Sunstroked

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 2,071

Likes: 147

From: S Nevada

I totally restored every part on my 72. I was actually amazed at how tight the car drives. But...mine has ps, pb, pw and ac. It doesnt squeak, the doors close smooth as any luxury car built today. The engine is loud, rumpety idle, sucks gas, and flat out hauls butt. I took my neighbor who is at least 6'4" and 225lb for a ride the other day, yeah he was a bit cramped.
I wouldnt have it any other way.

Oct 19, 2015 | 12:51 PM

#47

The13Bats

Race Director

Joined: Mar 2003

Posts: 11,608

Likes: 780

From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl

I know a lot of people do not mind the stock c3 power steering and tell me they rebuilt it and it has no slop no float,
I have owned a driver a lot of corvettes granted some nicer than others and yes some very nice and or rebuilt but I am a nervous person, have panic attacks and other things like that really suck out loud but it makes me very hyper sensitive and I have always felt the slop and float of c3 steering actually my 66 same steering but manual I liked better than power I did adjust the box a few times and I do get really tempted not to re-install the power steering in my 69 but it lacks the 2 hole front spindles my 66 had so I fall into being cheap and just slapping it back in there and it's all new or rebuilt so it will be "okay" but it's one of those if you like it you are content I am not.

Oct 19, 2015 | 03:03 PM

#48

billcarson

Drifting

Joined: Aug 2010

Posts: 1,839

Likes: 45

From: nassau co. new york

i had posted this result a while back but after a total rebuild of the front steering and suspension and a quality home spun alignment i still did not feel 100% comfortable with the tightness and response.i replaced the ps hoses and refilled with prestone leak fighting fluid,by mistake,and was delighted with the outcome.now after more time has passed the tires must have worn into a proper pattern that has left my car a joy to ride with totally stock steering.(except for the ps fluid).not sure if it was the hoses,which were not original,or the fluid that made the difference.