C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

C3 Power Steering Problems

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 16, 2006 | 11:20 PM
  #1  
jjanitor's Avatar
jjanitor
Thread Starter
4th Gear
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Default C3 Power Steering Problems

Hello All-I recently replaced the power steering pump, hoses, control valve and steering cylinder on my 72 convertible. After adjusting the control valve, the streering wheel behaves erratically. When I turn the steering wheel a little off center in either direction, the wheel pulsates
2-3 inches back and forth. When the wheel is nearing the end of travel (either left or right), it will turn itself completely to the left or right and keep the wheel pinned in that position until I shut the car down. The power steering fluid is full. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, John
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2006 | 11:42 PM
  #2  
Jim Shea's Avatar
Jim Shea
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime Gold
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Default

I am quite sure that you have your assist cylinder lines connected to the wrong ports on the control valve. The pipes should criss-cross as they attach to the control valve. The following picture should help.

http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...ylinderPic.doc

Look at View A in the lower left corner of the picture. That is how the cylinder lines should attach.

Jim
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2006 | 12:52 AM
  #3  
jjanitor's Avatar
jjanitor
Thread Starter
4th Gear
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Default Lines not crossed

Hi Jim,
The first thing I checked was for crossed lines. They are installed correctly.
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2006 | 08:56 AM
  #4  
Jim Shea's Avatar
Jim Shea
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime Gold
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Default

Then your problem has to be in the control valve. Try to rebalance it. If that doesn't work, send it back for a replacement.

Just to make sure about my previous posting. The lines are supposed to criss-cross where they connect to the control valve.

Jim
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2006 | 08:57 AM
  #5  
SIXFOOTER's Avatar
SIXFOOTER
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime Gold
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Default

you sure you got the control lines correct? They are supposed to be crossed
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2006 | 09:22 AM
  #6  
kevinator80's Avatar
kevinator80
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 1
From: Lafayette Louisiana
Default

If the lines are correct, it sounds to me as if the spacer and seal have been reversed during the assembly of the control valve. This happened on the first vavle I ever rebuilt and exibited those exact symptons.
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2006 | 01:06 AM
  #7  
jjanitor's Avatar
jjanitor
Thread Starter
4th Gear
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Default

The control valve is going back. Everything else looks good. Thanks everyone.
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2006 | 06:35 AM
  #8  
mirrorfinishman's Avatar
mirrorfinishman
Instructor
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
Default

Originally Posted by jjanitor
The control valve is going back. Everything else looks good. Thanks everyone.
jjanitor,

Did replacing the control valve solve your problem?

I have got the same problem after replacing all ps units. I am going to re-adjust the ps pump belt as it appears to be rather loose.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To C3 Power Steering Problems

Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:56 AM.

story-0
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE