Steering valve removal
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 888
Likes: 1
From: North Texas
Steering valve removal
Thanks to advice and encouragement from CF members, I began the rebuild of my steering system this morning. All of the parts are now collected, ready for installation. So far, I have removed and rebuilt the steering cylinder; that was quite easy, though not yet pressure tested. The valve is disconnected, but I am having considerable difficulty seperating it from the Pitman arm. Any suggestions from those who have done this operation before?
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 400
Likes: 1
From: California
i smacked the living crap from mine and it fell out, but i also went for a rebuilt from Napa so im not worried about the old one at all.short of that, the thing i believe if original it press fit in there...i think? i just got done rebuilding my 79 steering and man, what a difference.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,195
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
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Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Use a tie rod fork, or ball joint "pickle" fork. Put it in between the drag link and the valve body and smack it with a 3lb. hammer. If you dont have one , get one. there cheap! Best of luck.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 888
Likes: 1
From: North Texas
Good plan, since I already have those tools. I'm just a little nervous about damaging the valve. Thanks for the help.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 9,996
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From: if you have a ? on my avatar, please contact me directly, you spineless twit
St. Jude Donor '09
Get that pickle fork wedged in there and keep beating on it.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1557864
My Thanksgiving weekend was half spent beating on that sumbeeootch.
Oh, and upgrade to a four pound hammer, but it might still take the better part of a day to get that thing off.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1557864
My Thanksgiving weekend was half spent beating on that sumbeeootch.
Oh, and upgrade to a four pound hammer, but it might still take the better part of a day to get that thing off.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,337
Likes: 14
From: Norfolk VA
My PS valve was leaking. The leak was coming from the ball stud on the PS control valve. I put the pickle fork between the pitman arm and valve and took three good whacks at it with a 3lb hammer. Three good whacks did it for me.
Last edited by Oldguard 7; Jan 28, 2007 at 01:00 AM.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 888
Likes: 1
From: North Texas
Good thread and advice. Now I'm thinking about visiting Autozone tomorrow and renting the ball joint removal tool. Sounds like it might save a lot of time and wear on the valve. I really appreciate the tips, and that Jim Shea has some excellent instructions on the whole process. They worked well for rebuilding the cylinder.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 627
Likes: 1
From: Naperville IL
I have 2 pullers and a ball joint remover tool, but none of them would fit on the pitman arm to control valve joint. The pickle fork works pretty well, but you need to be careful not to damage the ball stud($40 to replace)
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 888
Likes: 1
From: North Texas
Autozone had the ball joint puller for a $20 deposit. Someone had bent the arms too wide, so after bending them back into shape, I went to work on the steering valve. Six to ten revolutions on the puller bolt and pop; off came the valve from the pitman arm.
Shea's papers say to remove the bolts and separate the valve body. Not a porblem, but here are a few questions.
Does anyone know what kind of bolt heads they are?
Are they Torx heads?
Are they original for a '72 SB or has the valve been replaced?
Sorry for the bad photo. I'll try to take a better one if needed. Better pic here:
Shea's papers say to remove the bolts and separate the valve body. Not a porblem, but here are a few questions.
Does anyone know what kind of bolt heads they are?
Are they Torx heads?
Are they original for a '72 SB or has the valve been replaced?
Sorry for the bad photo. I'll try to take a better one if needed. Better pic here:
Last edited by Vette Set; Jan 28, 2007 at 11:20 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,683
Likes: 202
From: Waterford Mi
After replacing mine with a rebuild a couple of times I found out Autozone gives a lifetime warrenty so I bought one of their's. It has been good for 4 years but know I see it has a leak, puddle under the car. I guess it will be changed this spring when I pull it out from winter storage.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
Autozone had the ball joint puller for a $20 deposit. Someone had bent the arms too wide, so after bending them back into shape, I went to work on the steering valve. Six to ten revolutions on the puller bolt and pop; off came the valve from the pitman arm.
Shea's papers say to remove the bolts and separate the valve body. Not a porblem, but here are a few questions.
Does anyone know what kind of bolt heads they are?
Are they Torx heads?
Are they original for a '72 SB or has the valve been replaced?
Sorry for the bad photo. I'll try to take a better one if needed.
Shea's papers say to remove the bolts and separate the valve body. Not a porblem, but here are a few questions.
Does anyone know what kind of bolt heads they are?
Are they Torx heads?
Are they original for a '72 SB or has the valve been replaced?
Sorry for the bad photo. I'll try to take a better one if needed.
I would spray the bolts with PB Blaster for a couple of days prior to attempting to remove the bolts. PB can work wonders on the most rusted bolts but it sometimes takes a little time.
Rick B.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 888
Likes: 1
From: North Texas
I don't think Torx heads existed in 72. If I'm looking at what I think I am it looks like you have corroded rounded off bolt heads that no known socket will fit. If that is the case, you could either use Vice Grips or the extractor sockets that fit over damaged bolt heads.
I would spray the bolts with PB Blaster for a couple of days prior to attempting to remove the bolts. PB can work wonders on the most rusted bolts but it sometimes takes a little time.
Rick B.
I would spray the bolts with PB Blaster for a couple of days prior to attempting to remove the bolts. PB can work wonders on the most rusted bolts but it sometimes takes a little time.
Rick B.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 888
Likes: 1
From: North Texas
Thanks, chris73cpe. This is the first bolt I have seen like this. I have a few 7/16" sockets around. Some of my better ones should be of the 12 point configuration.
Last edited by Vette Set; Jan 29, 2007 at 09:57 AM.