My 1974 has had a tendency to pull right on the highway. It's not road rut hunting. Minor but annoying. I was thinking of having a front-wheel alignment done. Tire pressures are OK at 32psi cold on both sides. But I have been procrastinating on alignment as tire wear is fine.

Last Thursday I dropped by the local Chevrolet dealer for an oil change and grease. I bring my own oil. (For the zinc/phosphorous people in Canada you can find 10W-30, CH-4/SH diesel oil at Canadian Tire. I use a Delco PF-1218 filter.) I instructed the young technician to leave the power steering control valve grease fitting alone but he found the 10-11 others. The grease was green? He was very conscientious and had a lot of questions about my car. In fact the oil change took 30 minutes as we looked the underbody over. (Love that CA/TN rust-free frame!) I appreciated that.

Fast-forward to today. Finally sun on a weekend! The Wife and I had a very enjoyable drive this morning for about two hours and of course, about $20.00 in fuel! About 20 minutes into the drive I noticed the car was NOT pulling right. In fact I could take my hands off the steering wheel and it would track true subject to the usual tire hunting on road ruts. Very different from before. So the Q. is: How can a lube job influence steering tracking? I'm perplexed but happy.

BTW, pic from today.

 

Maybe something in the steering system was stuck, slightly?

 

I'm actually trying to finx my alignment today, as well. I've got the shims.......it pulls to the right slightly. Probably the same as you.....not enough to have to fight the wheel, but if you take your hand off on the highway for more than 5-6 seconds, you headed into the other lane.

 

Worn ball joint,idler arm,tie rod end. Anything else in the front end. The grease can mask the bad part for awhile but the problem will return.
Worn suspension components in the rear can also cause a steering problem. Even low tire pressure in the rear can cause a uneasy steering issue.

 

Possible. Tire pressures are 32 psi cold all around. I can't see grease masking significant wear. Minor yes. The car was saftied a 1,000 miles ago but you never know.

 

He probably shot some grease in that steering valve anyway and got grease in the fluid part of the valve. It might stop pulling for a while, but not long. The valve may need adjusting to get rid of the pull.

 

Nope, I supervised. No grease in the P/S control valve. My GM dealer allows me access to the shop and I dictate what is done with my Corvettes. I've driven these old cars for more than 20 years and I know much more than "modern" technicians.

 

I am just offering a possible answer to the question, but I have never met a quote "technician" that didnt think he knows more than you do. You didnt turn your back at any time did ya.

 

The grease made a temporary "adjustment" in a worn part, it will not last

 

I guess the best thing to do is have the front end thoroughly checked out and make repairs as necessary.

 

Hmmm....thought thats the way it's supposed to be.

 

I'd suspect the new grease took the slop out of the idler arm or a tie rod end.

 

Can someone tell me how many and where are the grease fittings on my '70?

 

I can tell you the "usual spots"

Upper and lower ball joints 1 ea (4)
Inner and outer tie rods 1 ea (4)
Idler arm 2 (2)
Pitman arm 1 (1)
Power Steering control valve (1)

Some cars have zerks in the driveshaft and half shaft ujoints which would be 6 more.
That's a total of 12 plus a possible 6 more, and if you have a manual trans, there's 1 in the clutch Z bar too.

 

Thanks Tim