Steering question
Racer
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 478
Likes: 3
From: Huntsville AL
Mine did the same thing when I overtightened the steering box adjustment on top. Try backing the adjustment screw on top of the steering box counterclockwise a very minute bit at a time, to see if it improves. If the steering gets some play in it but does not correct the centering problem, start looking elsewhere in the frontend.
YBnormal...drive a vette
YBnormal...drive a vette
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,906
Likes: 0
From: Berlin
Originally Posted by joshwilson3
My main problem is that it is hard to turn the steering wheel. And it doesn't really self align back up when I make a turn. Will ajusting that screw fix this problem, or is this normal for the C3's power steering system?
When you say that it's hard to turn the steering wheel, do you mean that it is physically difficult, or just stiffer than what you're used to? I think the steering is stiffer than in most modern american cars, but not not any more difficult than you might find in modern german sedans (I might be generalizing a little too much off of my very limited experience with american cars other than corvettes). It shouldn't take a bodybuilder to turn the wheel.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,456
Likes: 2
From: Coming home from Luckenbach Texas
Originally Posted by joshwilson3
My main problem is that it is hard to turn the steering wheel. And it doesn't really self align back up when I make a turn. Will ajusting that screw fix this problem, or is this normal for the C3's power steering system?
However, you should be able to fix your existing system to bring it up to an acceptable standard.
How many miles does this car have?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by page62
The rack & pinion upgrade is a wonderful -- if expensive -- thing.
However, you should be able to fix your existing system to bring it up to an acceptable standard.
How many miles does this car have?
However, you should be able to fix your existing system to bring it up to an acceptable standard.
How many miles does this car have?
you say you just bought this right? i bet the Previous owner over tightened the steering gear box to take up the slack.....just prior to selling it...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,456
Likes: 2
From: Coming home from Luckenbach Texas
Originally Posted by bobs77vet
you say you just bought this right? i bet the Previous owner over tightened the steering gear box to take up the slack.....just prior to selling it...
In addition to the steering box, you'll need to give the whole front a good look: ball joints, tie rods, idler arm...etc. etc. Any one of these components can contribute to poor steering quality.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 399
Likes: 0
From: Chambersburg PA
The steering box is definately the place to start. But a little adjustment goes a long way. I'm betting that once you get the bind out of it...your going to find that its WAY sloppy. then the fun begins. Believe it or not I got the most improvement in steering by rebuilding the REAR suspension.
I see a call to VBP or Van Steele in your near future.
I see a call to VBP or Van Steele in your near future.
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Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
The fact that it doesn't recenter is almost certainly due to the adjustment referenced previously in the steering gear box. I suppose that could stiffen up the steering seeing as that's north of the PS ram. When functioning "normally" I find the C3 PS steering system to be very very light. It's much lighter than both my Integra and GP.
The dead spot could be any number of things, but the most common culprit (the ragjoint) is thankfully also the easiest to check. Jack up the front, and get someone to turn the wheel while you look at the flex coupling. If you see the upper shaft move and then lower shaft "catch-up" then that's at least part of your dead spot. And the fact that your car has been driven with a steering box out of adjustment can definitely put premature wear on that flex coupling.
The dead spot could be any number of things, but the most common culprit (the ragjoint) is thankfully also the easiest to check. Jack up the front, and get someone to turn the wheel while you look at the flex coupling. If you see the upper shaft move and then lower shaft "catch-up" then that's at least part of your dead spot. And the fact that your car has been driven with a steering box out of adjustment can definitely put premature wear on that flex coupling.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,456
Likes: 2
From: Coming home from Luckenbach Texas
For the first six months or so that you own your car, focus on fixing things. And think about which updates you want to do...and in which order!
BTW: Steeroids is fantastic, but a bit expensive at about 1100 bucks.
BTW: Steeroids is fantastic, but a bit expensive at about 1100 bucks.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 401
Likes: 0
From: texas,, at last
i'm with bobs77vet,
i bet the previous owner tightened the nut to get rid of the play for selling it,
just back it off a touch and you should notice a difference,
also, check the belt for the power steering pump is not slipping,
natt
i bet the previous owner tightened the nut to get rid of the play for selling it,
just back it off a touch and you should notice a difference,
also, check the belt for the power steering pump is not slipping,
natt
Racer
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 401
Likes: 0
From: texas,, at last
thats the one,
loosen the nut off and turn the screw out a touch, nip the nut up and try it,
mine was the opposite of yours and when i was adjusting mine tighter i went a little too far and i then hit the problems you are having,
i loosened it off a touch and everything was fine,
it will only take a couple of minutes to try it, and it won't cost ya anything,
if that doesn't work, then you're gonna have to jack the front end up and look for anything outta the ordinary,
good luck,
natt
loosen the nut off and turn the screw out a touch, nip the nut up and try it,
mine was the opposite of yours and when i was adjusting mine tighter i went a little too far and i then hit the problems you are having,
i loosened it off a touch and everything was fine,
it will only take a couple of minutes to try it, and it won't cost ya anything,
if that doesn't work, then you're gonna have to jack the front end up and look for anything outta the ordinary,
good luck,
natt
Racer
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 401
Likes: 0
From: texas,, at last
erm,
if loosening the screw does not work i doubt it will be the valve as this normally causes sloppyness,
if it's still tight, next in my book would be to get a 4 wheel alignmet done, maybe the front end is way out, especially if the previous owner just stuck a few new parts on and didn't check it out,
i think you will find that loosening the screw will make all the difference,
next in my book would be to get a 4 wheel alignmet done, maybe the front end is way out, especially if the previous owner just stuck a few new parts on and didn't check it out,
let us know how it goes,
natt
by the way,
i fitted a steeroids kit and the steering is now great,
if loosening the screw does not work i doubt it will be the valve as this normally causes sloppyness,
if it's still tight, next in my book would be to get a 4 wheel alignmet done, maybe the front end is way out, especially if the previous owner just stuck a few new parts on and didn't check it out,
i think you will find that loosening the screw will make all the difference,
next in my book would be to get a 4 wheel alignmet done, maybe the front end is way out, especially if the previous owner just stuck a few new parts on and didn't check it out,
let us know how it goes,
natt
by the way,
i fitted a steeroids kit and the steering is now great,
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 162
Likes: 1
From: Johnsburg IL
You may check the cylinder to see if it is correctly adjusted. (top picture in your posting) Set the wheels straight, lift front end and disconnect the rod from the frame. When you start your car (still off the ground) the rod should stay almost still. If it shoots in or out then adjust. Your manual should discribe the steps.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,053
Likes: 4
St. Jude Donor '03,'11
one thing everyone has overlooked so far is caster. That is the amount that the wheels tilt forward on their steering axis.
you need some positive caster in your alignment so the wheels will tend to self center.
An overly tightened steering box could be the problem too, but you want to check the alignment first. Loosening the box will just get you slopy steering.
If you are used to driving cars with rack and pinion it might just be that you are going to have to get used to just a little steering loosness. Its 30 year old technology.
you need some positive caster in your alignment so the wheels will tend to self center.
An overly tightened steering box could be the problem too, but you want to check the alignment first. Loosening the box will just get you slopy steering.
If you are used to driving cars with rack and pinion it might just be that you are going to have to get used to just a little steering loosness. Its 30 year old technology.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 111
From: Saginaw Michigan
When you are making the sector shaft adjustment (i.e. the screw on the top of the steering gear box), you ALWAYS make that adjustment with the steering gear right on center. The gearset inside the gear is designed with a small amount of interference right on center. The gearset is also designed with clearances either side of center.
If you make the adjustment off-center (and eliminate those clearances), when you come back to center, you will have too much interference and you could actually cause damage to the gearset inside the gear. (It will also cause very poor returnability - just as you are describing.)
This is a link to a paper that describes adjusting the gear - in car.
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/GearAd...-Rev21FE04.doc
If you make the adjustment off-center (and eliminate those clearances), when you come back to center, you will have too much interference and you could actually cause damage to the gearset inside the gear. (It will also cause very poor returnability - just as you are describing.)
This is a link to a paper that describes adjusting the gear - in car.
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/GearAd...-Rev21FE04.doc
Racer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 488
Likes: 0
From: Fremont,CA
Originally Posted by joshwilson3
Well, there isn't really anything to fix up except restoring it. The guy has already replaced shocks, springs, brake calipers, rotors, front and rear suspension, radiator, wheather stripping, steering components, brake lines, fuel lines, new carpet, new seat covers, air compressor, carborator, power locks, power windows, starter. He has also fully rebuilt the transmission. And he regasketed the whole engine. I also think that he said the previous owner had redone the rearend.
I'm sure there is more stuff he's done to it that I'm forgetting. He owns a shop and had owned the car for around 5 years.
The next thing is the rack and pinion I plan on doing.
Also, something I have a question on. When I open the door, should the interior light come on? The light doesn't come on when I open the door. I turn the key to "on" and then turn the key back and the light then comes on. If the door is open and I take the key out of the column, the light goes off. Is this supposed to happen? It is really frustraiting as I can't see what in the hell I'm doing.
thanks
I'm sure there is more stuff he's done to it that I'm forgetting. He owns a shop and had owned the car for around 5 years.
The next thing is the rack and pinion I plan on doing.
Also, something I have a question on. When I open the door, should the interior light come on? The light doesn't come on when I open the door. I turn the key to "on" and then turn the key back and the light then comes on. If the door is open and I take the key out of the column, the light goes off. Is this supposed to happen? It is really frustraiting as I can't see what in the hell I'm doing.
thanks
