Steering Probs. 70 vet
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: shrewsbury Pa.
Steering Probs. 70 vet
About a month ago I replaced the Power steering cylinder because the old one was leaking. The car however steered fine before this. Finaly got a brake in the weather and took it for a drive yesterday for the first time since putting the new cylinder on. The car seemed possesed. The steering would not stay straight. Would constantly pull right and left continuously. This could be sheer coincidence, but as I said it steered FINE before the new cylinder was installed. Wondered if the cylinder is bad or is there some sort of bleeding or adjusting that I should have done when installing it. Just had front end alighned this past summer after installing new rear trailing arms and new springs and shocks. Can't imagine alighment shop wouldn't tell me if anything up front were on it's last legs, if for no other reason than to get the work. If a front end part is bad, what a coincidence. Guess it's possible though. Any Ideas???
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Bleed system first then recenter the valve. Chances are the old valve was leaking internally. Now tha tit is all sealed up the valve is off to one side. Recenter the PS valve and you should be OK
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: shrewsbury Pa.
Thanks guys, Now 2 dumb questions. First, how does one re-center the power steering control valve? Second, there is foam in the power steering resivoir, how do I bleed it or the system????
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,669
Likes: 3
From: Kingston Ontario
Have foam = have air
-fill reservoir
-start eng., run short time like 5-10 seconds, shut off
-check level, top up
-raise front end of car, wheels off the ground
-start eng., rev 1200-1500 rpm, turn steering full left to full right slowly, 2 to 3 cycles, centre steering shut-off eng.
-check level, top up
-put car on ground,start eng. drive ahead turning steering full left and full right, check level
If still foamy repeat above steps.
Test drive then recentre if necessary
-fill reservoir
-start eng., run short time like 5-10 seconds, shut off
-check level, top up
-raise front end of car, wheels off the ground
-start eng., rev 1200-1500 rpm, turn steering full left to full right slowly, 2 to 3 cycles, centre steering shut-off eng.
-check level, top up
-put car on ground,start eng. drive ahead turning steering full left and full right, check level
If still foamy repeat above steps.
Test drive then recentre if necessary
Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 374
Likes: 12
From: PHILADELPHIA PA
The System Is Self Bleeding As In Any Closed Center Hydraulic Circuit. Raise Wheels Off Ground And Turn Stop To Stop. This Will Full Stroke The Cylinder And Force All Air Out Into Pump/tank. Run Until Foam Disappears. Now Adjust Centering Screw At End Of Control Valve Until Wheels Stay Centered.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 28
From: Lutz Florida
Heres a good link that tells you how to bleed you PS system and center your control valve. http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com. Click on the Corvette Steering Papers and then scroll down to the section you need. Its pretty straightforward.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
The System Is Self Bleeding As In Any Closed Center Hydraulic Circuit. Raise Wheels Off Ground And Turn Stop To Stop. This Will Full Stroke The Cylinder And Force All Air Out Into Pump/tank. Run Until Foam Disappears. Now Adjust Centering Screw At End Of Control Valve Until Wheels Stay Centered.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
It is best to try and get as much air out of the system BEFORE starting your engine. You can do this by raising the front wheels off the ground and turning the steering wheel full lock to full lock with the engine off. The assist cylinder will act as a pump and slowly work large air bubbles
up through the steering lines and up into the pump reservoir.
If you just start your engine, the air and oil are circulated through the pump and the air and oil get whipped to foam. It now takes a lot longer for the air to work its way out of the milky fluid.
Jim
up through the steering lines and up into the pump reservoir.
If you just start your engine, the air and oil are circulated through the pump and the air and oil get whipped to foam. It now takes a lot longer for the air to work its way out of the milky fluid.
Jim
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: shrewsbury Pa.
Heres a good link that tells you how to bleed you PS system and center your control valve. http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com. Click on the Corvette Steering Papers and then scroll down to the section you need. Its pretty straightforward.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: shrewsbury Pa.
It is best to try and get as much air out of the system BEFORE starting your engine. You can do this by raising the front wheels off the ground and turning the steering wheel full lock to full lock with the engine off. The assist cylinder will act as a pump and slowly work large air bubbles
up through the steering lines and up into the pump reservoir.
If you just start your engine, the air and oil are circulated through the pump and the air and oil get whipped to foam. It now takes a lot longer for the air to work its way out of the milky fluid.
Jim
up through the steering lines and up into the pump reservoir.
If you just start your engine, the air and oil are circulated through the pump and the air and oil get whipped to foam. It now takes a lot longer for the air to work its way out of the milky fluid.
Jim
Last edited by squirrelguy; Jan 29, 2008 at 04:15 AM. Reason: spelling
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
Yes, the air will eventually work its way out of the system. However, in the meantime, you may experience erratic power assist and loud growling or whining steering noises. These symptoms may take a day or two to go away.
Jim
Jim
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: shrewsbury Pa.
