Steering wheel doesn't return to center
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Steering wheel doesn't return to center
I have thought that the steering on my '76 seemed a little too touchy...and after letting a couple other people drive it we have decided that it is because my steering does not return to center while driving.
It has a new power steering valve, and I am pretty sure that I adjusted it correctly. It doesn't pull to one side or the other, it just stays exactly where you put it.
Is is supposed to be this way?
It has a new power steering valve, and I am pretty sure that I adjusted it correctly. It doesn't pull to one side or the other, it just stays exactly where you put it.
Is is supposed to be this way?
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,145
Likes: 5
From: South of London, Engerland
I could be wrong, but I thought the geometry of the front suspension dictated how strongly the wheel was self-centering. It's connected to the caster of the front wheels. If you have zero caster then your steering will be lighter but won't self-centre.
(Caster is a measurement of how vertical the wheels' steering axis is.)
When you turn your steering to full lock (in either direction) do the front wheels lean in or out at all?
(Caster is a measurement of how vertical the wheels' steering axis is.)
When you turn your steering to full lock (in either direction) do the front wheels lean in or out at all?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,113
From: Crossville TN
You may have some damage/wear in the steering gear box, so that there is some drag which prevents the steering from returning to center. There might be some adjustment with the power steering somewhere for this, but I am not familiar enough with that to know.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,124
Likes: 3,927
From: Connecticut, USA
If the alignment is off that will be a problem. If the box is worn it will be sloppy on center- is it? I'd relook at the control valve, if it's rebuilt one then it's a crap shoot on quality.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Yes, it is a rebuilt valve, but it seems to work fine and be adjusted correctly. Steering is not particularly sloppy from center, other than the fact that it doesn't self-center like it should.
This seems to be a tough problem to fix on my own since any adjustment in one area throws off the adjustment of another.
Plus there is a LOT of slop in my trailing arms, which I am sure does not help anything. I had a 4 wheel alignment done (well....paid for)
Any body know a good alignment shop in the Sidney/Dayton Ohio area?
This seems to be a tough problem to fix on my own since any adjustment in one area throws off the adjustment of another.
Plus there is a LOT of slop in my trailing arms, which I am sure does not help anything. I had a 4 wheel alignment done (well....paid for)
Any body know a good alignment shop in the Sidney/Dayton Ohio area?
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 716
Likes: 1
From: Albuquerque New Mexico
I've noticed that my '82 doesn't want to return all the way to center either - maybe spins about 75% on it's own and the rest you have to manually bring back. Can you please elaborate a little more on what you took off and what you turned/adjusted and which direction? I would greatly appreciate knowing a little more about what you did.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: Orlando Fla
No, that is the assist steering cylinder; follow this link for pic of steering control valve. http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...5&dept_id=1829
When you replace the valve, you have to count the number of turns CCW that it took to remove from the threaded tie rod. When you replace the valve and put on, turn it CW the same number of turns. This is where I screwed up initially on my installation. My wheel was not centered so after a few adjustments as I described, it worked. Not to be confused with the steering valve adjustment nut that is located on the steering valve. That process is to balance the valve itself with the car jacked up and wheels off.
When you replace the valve, you have to count the number of turns CCW that it took to remove from the threaded tie rod. When you replace the valve and put on, turn it CW the same number of turns. This is where I screwed up initially on my installation. My wheel was not centered so after a few adjustments as I described, it worked. Not to be confused with the steering valve adjustment nut that is located on the steering valve. That process is to balance the valve itself with the car jacked up and wheels off.
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