C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Power steering problems again

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 7, 2008 | 12:21 PM
  #1  
ohfiver's Avatar
ohfiver
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 875
Likes: 75
From: California
Default Power steering problems again

Replaced pump 10-12-06, less than 400 miles on it and now hard to steer at low speed. Checked and lines are seeping fluid could this be the problem?
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2008 | 01:08 PM
  #2  
ripforrey's Avatar
ripforrey
Instructor
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: penngrove ca
Default

Need more info.
FYI, I had a local hydraulic shop rebuild my all my hoses for $6 each.
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2008 | 02:21 PM
  #3  
Jim Shea's Avatar
Jim Shea
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime Gold
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
Default

A little seepage from your hoses is not going to cause your power assist to stop working - unless you are now very low of fluid in your pump reservoir. If you are very low of fluid your pump should be making lots of noise as it sucks air and oil together.

Otherwise, I would suggest that you have a pump problem as well.

Jim
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2008 | 03:33 PM
  #4  
ohfiver's Avatar
ohfiver
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 875
Likes: 75
From: California
Default

Thanks guys, Jim I was afraid you would say that.
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2008 | 03:50 PM
  #5  
chvet73's Avatar
chvet73
Pro
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 605
Likes: 0
From: Alta Loma CA
Default

Just a thought, have you checked your tire pressure. Low tires make for hard steering.
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2008 | 06:08 PM
  #6  
GUSTO14's Avatar
GUSTO14
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
Default

In the early 90's I rebuilt the front suspension on my 1973. Purchased everything from VB&P, including all new hydraulics for the power steering. Everything was terrific and I had no complaints.

Some years later I decided to send my steering box off to Van Steel and have them rebuild it. (They did a terrific job!) After installing it, I discovered what "power steering" was really about on the C3!!! It was almost too much, but the wife loves it...

Good luck... GUSTO
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2008 | 09:14 PM
  #7  
StickShiftCorvette's Avatar
StickShiftCorvette
Drifting
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 3
Default

If the valve is not stuck as evidenced by lost motion at the valve when the engine is off.

If the valve is not stuck the only things that will cause hard steering is the pump not producing pressure or a totally shot power assist cylinder.
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2008 | 10:57 PM
  #8  
...Roger...'s Avatar
...Roger...
Race Director
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Default

I have seen over greased control valves act that way.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Dec 8, 2008 | 11:30 AM
  #9  
ohfiver's Avatar
ohfiver
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 875
Likes: 75
From: California
Default Great tips, thank you!

Thanks guys you all have given me more than a few suggestions, will ck. it out!
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2008 | 12:07 PM
  #10  
...Roger...'s Avatar
...Roger...
Race Director
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Default

Originally Posted by DWncchs
I have seen over greased control valves act that way.
Guess I should have said if too much grease is forced in with a pneumatic gun the grease will fill the fluid area of the control valve with heavy chassis grease and the valve will not move easily and therefore will not call for the pressure to be sent to the cylinder.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Power steering problems again





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:04 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE