stiff steering
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
From: crystal lake Il.
stiff steering
I just replaced the power steering pump valve cylinder and hoses. The old stuff worked well but was leaky and ugly. Now my steering is very stiff and a little erratic the wheel needs to be turned both ways, it doesn`t come back by itself. Any ideas?
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,889
Likes: 23
From: Kansas
Yes Sir; I'm sure you will find a lot smarter person, but it sounds like you need to Balance your power steering control valve. You can get that info. from the co. that sold you the parts or from the Corvette Shop Manual. I know Wilcox will have the info. if you just ask. Have a great weekend. Gene
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
Did you grease the fitting on the control valve? If so, too much grease causes hard steering. Also, you could have a bad control valve. I went through 3 "rebuilt" ones before I got a good one. Try the balance procedure first.
Gary
Gary
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 28
From: Lutz Florida
Did you bleed the air out of the PS pump after you installed it? If there is still some air left in the system the fluid will be foamy when you check it. That could give you the problem too.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,707
Likes: 268
From: S.E. MI
St. Jude Donor '15
I also have a problem with my steering wheel not returning by it self
back to center after I put in a new valve and cylinder. Seems to be
worse on left turns. I checked the balance on the valve and it's good.
I'm going to try to disable my power steering to see if the problem goes
away. If it don't go away I might have an alignment problem. I rebuilt
the front suspension at the same time I put the new valve and cylinder
on.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
I also have a problem with my steering wheel not returning by it self
back to center after I put in a new valve and cylinder. Seems to be
worse on left turns. I checked the balance on the valve and it's good.
I'm going to try to disable my power steering to see if the problem goes
away. If it don't go away I might have an alignment problem. I rebuilt
the front suspension at the same time I put the new valve and cylinder
on.
Gary
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
From: crystal lake Il.
Mine was working fine. I only put the new parts on to clean it up. Now it`s bad, very stiff in both directions and it won`t come back to center. I centered the valve again and no help. I`m about ready to put the greasy old stuff back on.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
Gary
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 766
Likes: 3
From: Charlotte North Carolina 704-394-5150
The power steering system is self bleeding. The air will come to the top if the filling procedure was followed in the manual. IS your air pressure in the tires correect, if so and nobody messed around with the adjustment in the gear box, sounds like a bad control valve. Could be a bad pump, not building up enough pressure. Good luck.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,039
Likes: 668
From: FL
I just had this same problem. I got a new valve from a reputable supplier back in January. No power steering. Got a replacement and finally got around to installing it today. Result, still no power steering.
Put the old stuff back on and everything works just fine. I think I will just deal with the slight leak.
Put the old stuff back on and everything works just fine. I think I will just deal with the slight leak.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,851
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Painter,
Did you use the factory centering instructions on the valve or balance it with the cylinder attached to the frame bracket? The valve should always be balanced as described at the link below.
Here are things you might check.
Balance the valve per these instructions. http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...lp.php?hID=188
Make sure you have the hoses to the valve X'd. This is a common mistake and people sometimes assume the top hose on the valve is the top hose on the cylinder. I’m not saying you made this error but it never hurts to check!
http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...lp.php?hID=129
I hate to say it, but if the system pass’s the above, I would lean toward the pump over the valve and cylinder. I can not remember the last defective new valve we had. I’m not saying it is impossible for the valve to be bad and it could be so lets not rule this out just yet.
Willcox Inc.
Did you use the factory centering instructions on the valve or balance it with the cylinder attached to the frame bracket? The valve should always be balanced as described at the link below.
Here are things you might check.
Balance the valve per these instructions. http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...lp.php?hID=188
Make sure you have the hoses to the valve X'd. This is a common mistake and people sometimes assume the top hose on the valve is the top hose on the cylinder. I’m not saying you made this error but it never hurts to check!
http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...lp.php?hID=129
I hate to say it, but if the system pass’s the above, I would lean toward the pump over the valve and cylinder. I can not remember the last defective new valve we had. I’m not saying it is impossible for the valve to be bad and it could be so lets not rule this out just yet.
Willcox Inc.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
From: crystal lake Il.
I`m going to put just the old valve back in, if it works that`s the problem. It is adjusted correctly. I`ll check the hoses, but I think they are on right. Thanks for any and all suggestions. It is very frusrating!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,179
Likes: 3
From: STANTON CA
Try to explain this one. Old valve worked fine, just leaked.
Put new valve on centered it and it worked fine.
Had to make a right turn and with my foot on
the brake I tried to turn right, couldn't turn the wheel.
Took my foot off the brake it turned fine, so I tried it on a
left turn, foot on the brake worked fine, it only
happens when i'm turning right and putting pressure on
the brake petal
Put new valve on centered it and it worked fine.
Had to make a right turn and with my foot on
the brake I tried to turn right, couldn't turn the wheel.
Took my foot off the brake it turned fine, so I tried it on a
left turn, foot on the brake worked fine, it only
happens when i'm turning right and putting pressure on
the brake petal
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,039
Likes: 668
From: FL
Painter, same problem I had.
I have new tried two brand new valves with the same issue. Pump works fine with old valve. Hoses crossed, properly bled, properly balanced. New valve = no power assist at all. Only component changed.
I have new tried two brand new valves with the same issue. Pump works fine with old valve. Hoses crossed, properly bled, properly balanced. New valve = no power assist at all. Only component changed.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
It's to bad the aftermarket doesn't know how to rebuild these valves. This has been a common problem in this forum.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,851
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Steve: Email sent
Painter: Please email me at Willcoxcustomerservice@Willcoxcorvette.c om
Thank you.
Willcox
Painter: Please email me at Willcoxcustomerservice@Willcoxcorvette.c om
Thank you.
Willcox
3rd Gear
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Same exact stuff steering problem after new install
Last edited by tonykeran; Jun 30, 2020 at 06:30 PM.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
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From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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this is a very old thread, but you need to bleed the system. Try turning the wheel to the stops each way 10 times. And do not grease that zirq fitting. ITs for assembly only
