Power steering does not return after a turn
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
Power steering does not return after a turn
Alright, this forum has help me a great deal and I am still dreaming about the day I can take my vette out for a joy ride. One question before I order a new steering gear box. My steering does not return or return very little to the straight position after a turn. From what I ve read, the steering box can be adjusted but all the explanation I ve read appear to be in greek for me. I am thinking replacing a 25 years old steering gear box maybe easier to comprehence.
Can someone assist some explanation about the different od adjustments of the PS gear box (in plain English). Thanks
Bob
Can someone assist some explanation about the different od adjustments of the PS gear box (in plain English). Thanks
Bob
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 307
Likes: 2
From: McCordsville Indiana
power steering
I recently had a similar problem with my steering and all I did to solve it was to loosen the lock nut on the gear box and turn the center screw(common screwdriver) alittle at a time until you get it were it feels right.Also, is your steering cylinder properly adjusted this will also cause this problem,and of course check for proper fluid in the power steering pump.If you turn the adjusting screw to far you can put to much play into the steering and you will have excessive play 
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
Thanks for the quick response, which way should I turn the center srew on the gear box? There are proper fluid in the PS pump. As for the cylinder, I just replaced the control valve and balanced the cylinder in accordance to the instructions that come with the control valve. I am planning to check the cylinder balanace again. Thanks
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 307
Likes: 2
From: McCordsville Indiana
I would definitley recheck the control valve balance,and when I had to adjust my gearbox, I turned it slightly clock wise but I really think you have control valve not balanced correctly, I thought my gearbox would need to be replaced as the car is a 1980 but I am glad that I didn't spend the money cause it didn't need to be replaced.I also had excessive play in the steering and that adjustment took care of that as well.I am sure that someone out there might have some other thoughts about it.Had another thought,after you balanced the control valve di you bleed the system by jacking the front of the car and turn the whheels to the left and right?
Last edited by BARRY L-48; Mar 11, 2005 at 10:54 PM.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
BARRY L-48 wrote:
I would definitley recheck the control valve balance,and when I had to adjust my gearbox, I turned it slightly clock wise but I really think you have control valve not balanced correctly, I thought my gearbox would need to be replaced as the car is a 1980 but I am glad that I didn't spend the money cause it didn't need to be replaced.I also had excessive play in the steering and that adjustment took care of that as well.I am sure that someone out there might have some other thoughts about it.Had another thought,after you balanced the control valve di you bleed the system by jacking the front of the car and turn the whheels to the left and right?
When I changed the CV, I balanced it and also bleed the system as you described. I will recheck the CV balance b4 adjusting the gear box. Thanks.
I would definitley recheck the control valve balance,and when I had to adjust my gearbox, I turned it slightly clock wise but I really think you have control valve not balanced correctly, I thought my gearbox would need to be replaced as the car is a 1980 but I am glad that I didn't spend the money cause it didn't need to be replaced.I also had excessive play in the steering and that adjustment took care of that as well.I am sure that someone out there might have some other thoughts about it.Had another thought,after you balanced the control valve di you bleed the system by jacking the front of the car and turn the whheels to the left and right?
When I changed the CV, I balanced it and also bleed the system as you described. I will recheck the CV balance b4 adjusting the gear box. Thanks.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
Originally Posted by bob2169
BARRY L-48 wrote:
I would definitley recheck the control valve balance,and when I had to adjust my gearbox, I turned it slightly clock wise but I really think you have control valve not balanced correctly, I thought my gearbox would need to be replaced as the car is a 1980 but I am glad that I didn't spend the money cause it didn't need to be replaced.I also had excessive play in the steering and that adjustment took care of that as well.I am sure that someone out there might have some other thoughts about it.Had another thought,after you balanced the control valve di you bleed the system by jacking the front of the car and turn the whheels to the left and right?
When I changed the CV, I balanced it and also bleed the system as you described. I will recheck the CV balance b4 adjusting the gear box. Thanks.
I would definitley recheck the control valve balance,and when I had to adjust my gearbox, I turned it slightly clock wise but I really think you have control valve not balanced correctly, I thought my gearbox would need to be replaced as the car is a 1980 but I am glad that I didn't spend the money cause it didn't need to be replaced.I also had excessive play in the steering and that adjustment took care of that as well.I am sure that someone out there might have some other thoughts about it.Had another thought,after you balanced the control valve di you bleed the system by jacking the front of the car and turn the whheels to the left and right?
When I changed the CV, I balanced it and also bleed the system as you described. I will recheck the CV balance b4 adjusting the gear box. Thanks.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,963
Likes: 79
From: central FL, near the beach.
Originally Posted by FeedVaal
You should do a front end alignment with max caster and slight toe-in before considering other steering adjustments.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,131
Likes: 4
From: May help you? You can sure as hell try!
It's really important to make sure the front wheels are off the ground when adjusting the balance on the control valve. Otherwise, the additional pressure can stir up air trapped in the system and turn the PS fluid to a froth making it difficult to purge the air properly. You might try balancing the CV again after the car has set for a while and any air has separated out of the PS fluid. Also make sure that the alignment is good and none of the suspension components are sloppy. The gear box is the last thing I would consider replacing (but I wouldn't rule it out).
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 1
From: Lafayette Louisiana
Originally Posted by bob2169
Thanks for the quick response, which way should I turn the center srew on the gear box? There are proper fluid in the PS pump. As for the cylinder, I just replaced the control valve and balanced the cylinder in accordance to the instructions that come with the control valve. I am planning to check the cylinder balanace again. Thanks
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,124
Likes: 3,926
From: Connecticut, USA
Check the alignment and balance first,if you don't correctly adjust the box you'll wreck it. I have 2 boxes here now that just like that and new gears run up to $240! If you need help let me know I might have a rebuilt box here ready to go next week. I'm trying to clear out the boxes I have.
Gary
Gary
