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

Power steering with agressive tires

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 1, 2007 | 09:31 AM
  #1  
69/03vette's Avatar
69/03vette
Thread Starter
Racer
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 359
Likes: 0
From: Shoemakersville Pa
Default Power steering with agressive tires

Has anyone had problems blowing out their power steering slave cylinder after installing 17" or larger low profile agressive traction tires.
Reply
Old Aug 1, 2007 | 09:56 AM
  #2  
gkull's Avatar
gkull
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Default

I was going through power steering pumps every year or two until I installed a small in line cooler
Reply
Old Aug 1, 2007 | 11:04 AM
  #3  
Jim Shea's Avatar
Jim Shea
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime Gold
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
Default

With larger tires, more caster, etc you will increase the overall pressure requirement (i.e. you make the duty cycle more severe by some amount). However, the maximum pressure is regulated by the setting in the flow control valve that is inside the pump. Corvette settings are typically quite low (1000 psi) compared to most other GM vehicles. So as long as you haven't put a power steering pump (or a flow control valve) from a truck or big passenger car in your Corvette pump, I doubt that your bigger tires are the cause of the assist cylinder failure.

Typically I have considered the power steering pressure hoses to be the weakest link in the system with respect to hydraulic leaks.

Jim
Reply
Old Aug 1, 2007 | 11:06 AM
  #4  
Z-man's Avatar
Z-man
Race Director
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
Likes: 8
From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
Default

Originally Posted by Jim Shea
With larger tires, more caster, etc you will increase the overall pressure requirement (i.e. you make the duty cycle more severe by some amount). However, the maximum pressure is regulated by the setting in the flow control valve that is inside the pump. Corvette settings are typically quite low (1000 psi) compared to most other GM vehicles. So as long as you haven't put a power steering pump (or a flow control valve) from a truck or big passenger car in your Corvette pump, I doubt that your bigger tires are the cause of the assist cylinder failure.

Typically I have considered the power steering pressure hoses to be the weakest link in the system with respect to hydraulic leaks.

Jim
Great point!! The max pressure is the same regardless of the tire size.
Reply
Old Aug 1, 2007 | 11:48 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

Hey Jim, I been meaning to ask
what is the difference from vehicle to vehicle useing the same type of pump? The valve itself, the spring? Besides the obvious resevoir differences I mean

thanks
Sorry for the hijack


Originally Posted by Jim Shea
With larger tires, more caster, etc you will increase the overall pressure requirement (i.e. you make the duty cycle more severe by some amount). However, the maximum pressure is regulated by the setting in the flow control valve that is inside the pump. Corvette settings are typically quite low (1000 psi) compared to most other GM vehicles. So as long as you haven't put a power steering pump (or a flow control valve) from a truck or big passenger car in your Corvette pump, I doubt that your bigger tires are the cause of the assist cylinder failure.

Typically I have considered the power steering pressure hoses to be the weakest link in the system with respect to hydraulic leaks.

Jim
Reply
Old Aug 1, 2007 | 12:05 PM
  #6  
Kalway's Avatar
Kalway
Safety Car
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,071
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
Default

Eh my power steering seems to be working fine with 275-40-17s up front, on steel wheels.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Power steering with agressive tires





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:04 PM.

story-0
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 most overrated Corvette track packages ever.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:46:45


VIEW MORE
story-1
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

Slideshow: Every 2027 Corvette engine explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:16:31


VIEW MORE
story-2
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-08 19:53:43


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE