Power Steering-Serious Issue
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Power Steering-Serious Issue
I was turning my wheel back and forth inspecting the wheel wells with the engine off. When I climbed in and started the engine the wheel turned to the left by itself and once it was at its stop I could not turn the wheel to the right. Once I shut it back down I could move the wheel back and forth freely. What's the diagnosis?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 28
From: Lutz Florida
Most likely your power steering control valve needs to be balanced. Very simple to do.
Instructions are here: http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?_id=4. Click on the Corvette steering papers.
Instructions are here: http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?_id=4. Click on the Corvette steering papers.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
you should be able to adjust(center) the Power Steering control Valve,
If that fails you made need to replace the valve..... 69VETT
http://www.lonestarcaliper.com/pc-89...rol-valve.aspx
If that fails you made need to replace the valve..... 69VETT
http://www.lonestarcaliper.com/pc-89...rol-valve.aspx
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 28
From: Lutz Florida
If you have replaced anything like the PS pump or hoses, you have to bleed the trapped air out of the system.
Did you have the front end up in the air or on the ground when you turned the wheels? If the wheels were on the ground then its possible to do some damage.
Last edited by stock76; Jul 23, 2008 at 11:32 PM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
They were on the ground and I turned all the way left and all the way right and I certainly wasn't wrenching it. I'll try the valve adjustment tomorrow and if that doesn't do the trick I'll order a new one. It's real scary to think about that happening when you are cruising down the highway at 80mph..
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,572
Likes: 51
From: Wichita Kansas
Nothing mentioned here about any work performed on the valve. Was the valve replaced? If you never touched the valve and it just started malfunctioning then I would suspect that you have more than just a neutral centering adjustment problem.
When you were turning the wheels left and right you were also moving fluid static through the power ram and valve. I would flush out the old fluid, refill and then try the adjustment. You may have contamination that is causing the valve to go hard over.
Make certain that the problem is corrected once you center the valve and if there is any doubt that the problem is done; replace that valve. It has been know that a "hard over condition" due to a worn out valve can happen while driving.
When you were turning the wheels left and right you were also moving fluid static through the power ram and valve. I would flush out the old fluid, refill and then try the adjustment. You may have contamination that is causing the valve to go hard over.
Make certain that the problem is corrected once you center the valve and if there is any doubt that the problem is done; replace that valve. It has been know that a "hard over condition" due to a worn out valve can happen while driving.
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
For the two and a half years I've owned the car I have not had to touch the power steering system, it has worked flawlessly. Therefore I know the problem isn't related to hoses and pitman arms hooked up in the wrong places.
