"new" steering control vavles
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
From: Kelowna, B.C. Canada
"new" steering control vavles
Is all the new steering control valves produced at the same place?
Any of the new units failing?
I would like to order the “new” kit from VB but the shipping is $150.00 to Canada.
It looks like Corvette central is going to win.
Any of the new units failing?
I would like to order the “new” kit from VB but the shipping is $150.00 to Canada.
It looks like Corvette central is going to win.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,359
Likes: 787
From: Redondo Beach, California
I had a posting with a similar thread a week or so ago and received a very informative PM from Wilcox. It appears that there are now two manufacturers of the control valve. Wilcox sells new control valves and they also will rebuild your original control valve. The original control valves (I think made by ACDelco, but no longer) were of very good quality. So, a good alternative is if you have a worn original is to look to having it rebuilt. ....I could say more but perhaps Wilcox will add to this thread himself. Somewhere in my pile of old car parts is an originial control valve which didn't have much use, I'll send it to Wilcox to be rebuilt.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,364
Likes: 1,724
From: Seattle Area Washington
Not that it really matters, but I actually think GM built there own steering control relay and steering cylinder rod. They were built in Brazil in the 80’s and 90’s maybe earlier.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Saginaw Steering Gear Division, GMC manufactured the control valve, assist cylinder, pump, hoses, and steering column for the C2/C3 Vettes. When the C4 went with rack and pinion steering, there was no production volume left for the control valve and assist cylinder. Saginaw sold off the tooling. I think that the tooling did end up in Brazil or someplace in South America. I don't know if the "new" valves come from down there or not.
If I had my choise, I would probably pick a rebuilt original valve (rebuilt by a reputable rebuilder) over a "new" one. I do remember that several years ago VBP advertised a lifetime warranty on their rebuilt valves. Only a one year warranty on their "new" valves. That should tell you something.
Saginaw continued to manufacture and assemble the special Corvette hoses for service up until a couple years ago. They had a very difficult time qualifying an outside source to manufacture the hose assemblies.
Jim
If I had my choise, I would probably pick a rebuilt original valve (rebuilt by a reputable rebuilder) over a "new" one. I do remember that several years ago VBP advertised a lifetime warranty on their rebuilt valves. Only a one year warranty on their "new" valves. That should tell you something.
Saginaw continued to manufacture and assemble the special Corvette hoses for service up until a couple years ago. They had a very difficult time qualifying an outside source to manufacture the hose assemblies.
Jim
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
From: Kelowna, B.C. Canada
Jim I was hoping that you would chime in.
I have rebuilt my valve with new seals before. It was OK, but it would still drip a little. My guess it that my spool is warped. I wonder how many rebuilt units have this same problem?
The core charge is also a problem for me. If I send the cores back the shipping will equal the core credit. If the core is no good then I am screwed.
At this point new units will be cheaper in the end. I was just hoping that the new units were as good.
I have rebuilt my valve with new seals before. It was OK, but it would still drip a little. My guess it that my spool is warped. I wonder how many rebuilt units have this same problem?
The core charge is also a problem for me. If I send the cores back the shipping will equal the core credit. If the core is no good then I am screwed.
At this point new units will be cheaper in the end. I was just hoping that the new units were as good.
Saginaw Steering Gear Division, GMC manufactured the control valve, assist cylinder, pump, hoses, and steering column for the C2/C3 Vettes. When the C4 went with rack and pinion steering, there was no production volume left for the control valve and assist cylinder. Saginaw sold off the tooling. I think that the tooling did end up in Brazil or someplace in South America. I don't know if the "new" valves come from down there or not.
If I had my choise, I would probably pick a rebuilt original valve (rebuilt by a reputable rebuilder) over a "new" one. I do remember that several years ago VBP advertised a lifetime warranty on their rebuilt valves. Only a one year warranty on their "new" valves. That should tell you something.
Saginaw continued to manufacture and assemble the special Corvette hoses for service up until a couple years ago. They had a very difficult time qualifying an outside source to manufacture the hose assemblies.
Jim
If I had my choise, I would probably pick a rebuilt original valve (rebuilt by a reputable rebuilder) over a "new" one. I do remember that several years ago VBP advertised a lifetime warranty on their rebuilt valves. Only a one year warranty on their "new" valves. That should tell you something.
Saginaw continued to manufacture and assemble the special Corvette hoses for service up until a couple years ago. They had a very difficult time qualifying an outside source to manufacture the hose assemblies.
Jim
Last edited by Sean82; Jul 4, 2008 at 01:27 PM. Reason: edited for very poor spelling
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
I rebuild most of my own but on occasion I have to buy one.The last one I bought was a new one but it steered like crap so I sent it back for a rebuilt and it did just fine.No more new ones for me.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
From: Kelowna, B.C. Canada
There is a certain amount of machining that is required to “rebuild” a control valve.
The internal parts are a metal on metal contact with rubber o-rings and seals.
If you just replace the seals and o-rings then your rebuild may not last very long.
Especially if the metal parts are warped or worn.
I was hoping that some one would have some first hand knowledge of the rebuild vs. new units, and how these units are produced
Maybe one of the venders will answer.
The internal parts are a metal on metal contact with rubber o-rings and seals.
If you just replace the seals and o-rings then your rebuild may not last very long.
Especially if the metal parts are warped or worn.
I was hoping that some one would have some first hand knowledge of the rebuild vs. new units, and how these units are produced
Maybe one of the venders will answer.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
There is a certain amount of machining that is required to “rebuild” a control valve.
The internal parts are a metal on metal contact with rubber o-rings and seals.
If you just replace the seals and o-rings then your rebuild may not last very long.
Especially if the metal parts are warped or worn.
The internal parts are a metal on metal contact with rubber o-rings and seals.
If you just replace the seals and o-rings then your rebuild may not last very long.
Especially if the metal parts are warped or worn.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
From: Kelowna, B.C. Canada
The case of the valve is cast with a machined bore.
The “spool” acts like a piston that travels side to side in the housing.
Like an engine piston the gap between the rings and the bore gets bigger over time. If you simpley replace your piston rings your rebuild will not last long.
The seals on the “spool” act like the rings in the bore; this is why a significant about of rebuilds do not last very long and seem to leak.
The seals can only take so much pressure from the power steering before it leaks past the “rings” due to the gap in the bore
We have to remeber that these units are a min of 25years old, that is alot of side action.
The “spool” acts like a piston that travels side to side in the housing.
Like an engine piston the gap between the rings and the bore gets bigger over time. If you simpley replace your piston rings your rebuild will not last long.
The seals on the “spool” act like the rings in the bore; this is why a significant about of rebuilds do not last very long and seem to leak.
The seals can only take so much pressure from the power steering before it leaks past the “rings” due to the gap in the bore
We have to remeber that these units are a min of 25years old, that is alot of side action.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,930
Likes: 15
From: Calgary Alberta
I think that might have been a typo. I buy stuff from the US all the time. Its costly, but no where near that much.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
From: Kelowna, B.C. Canada
pm's sent to paul67 and stinger.
Stinger you are very correct, the supplier you sent me by pm has what I need.
DWncchs - thank you for your help. The best way to ship internationaly is by mail.
Anyone else has some input on "new" control valves
Stinger you are very correct, the supplier you sent me by pm has what I need.
DWncchs - thank you for your help. The best way to ship internationaly is by mail.
Anyone else has some input on "new" control valves
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
I think that most of the major suppliers, (Zip, Corvette Central, Ecklers, Mid-America) list both rebuilt and "new" control valves. I would guess that the "new" valves all come from the same source. I think there are several different valve rebuilders.
I see that GM still has the valve available. It is part number 7825636. (A lot more expensive than outside sources.) I have no idea where it is sourced. I wouldn't guarantee that this valve was an original new old stock Saginaw manufactured part.
Jim
I see that GM still has the valve available. It is part number 7825636. (A lot more expensive than outside sources.) I have no idea where it is sourced. I wouldn't guarantee that this valve was an original new old stock Saginaw manufactured part.
Jim
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
From: Kelowna, B.C. Canada
Thank you Jim. Your service to this forum is amazing.
for everyone's info, that part number is $349.33 from gm parts direct.
for everyone's info, that part number is $349.33 from gm parts direct.
I think that most of the major suppliers, (Zip, Corvette Central, Ecklers, Mid-America) list both rebuilt and "new" control valves. I would guess that the "new" valves all come from the same source. I think there are several different valve rebuilders.
I see that GM still has the valve available. It is part number 7825636. (A lot more expensive than outside sources.) I have no idea where it is sourced. I wouldn't guarantee that this valve was an original new old stock Saginaw manufactured part.
Jim
I see that GM still has the valve available. It is part number 7825636. (A lot more expensive than outside sources.) I have no idea where it is sourced. I wouldn't guarantee that this valve was an original new old stock Saginaw manufactured part.
Jim
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 154
Likes: 1
From: Azle TX
I've tried new and rebuilt valves and have had problems with both. I have purchased valves from VBP, Corvette Central, Ecklers and locally with the same results. I haven't had a valve last more than a year without leaking. Admittedly I race my car and have wide sticky tires. This may put excessive stress on the valve causing it to fail prematurely. IMO this is a crappy design. I finally switched to a Saginaw (Jeep) box and eliminated the valve. Steering is much more responsive and firm and hopefully this will end my valve replacement issues. Although the box is somewhat expensive so is replacing valves every year.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 239
Likes: 5
From: Rochester NY
Sean82,
I bought a brand new control valve and cylinder last fall from Stainless Steal Brake Corporation in Clerance, NY.
It looked identical to my old original valve, I replaced it this spring along with the cylinder.
All my power steering leaks are gone, flushed out the old fluid and bought new power steering fluid from a local GM Dealer, it has a nice feel to the steering, the only thing I'm not sure of is when I pull out from a side street the steering wheel won't return by it self without some help from me.
I wish I had driven my vette before I changed over to the new part, because I can't remember exactly how it worked with the original parts.
Over all I'm satisfied, no more oil on the garage floor...........
I bought a brand new control valve and cylinder last fall from Stainless Steal Brake Corporation in Clerance, NY.
It looked identical to my old original valve, I replaced it this spring along with the cylinder.
All my power steering leaks are gone, flushed out the old fluid and bought new power steering fluid from a local GM Dealer, it has a nice feel to the steering, the only thing I'm not sure of is when I pull out from a side street the steering wheel won't return by it self without some help from me.
I wish I had driven my vette before I changed over to the new part, because I can't remember exactly how it worked with the original parts.
Over all I'm satisfied, no more oil on the garage floor...........
Last edited by Green76; Jul 8, 2008 at 10:53 PM. Reason: Spelling