I installed a new Power Steer Control Valve (PSCV) on my 71 LS5 this week. I finally have the car off the jack stands. However, I only have power steer assist turning left, none going right. The PSCV unit was supposed to be centered by the vendor. The wheels didn't move by themselves when I started it on the jack stands so the PSCV is probably centered to a large degree but need so adjustment to bias the unit more to the right. Can anybody tell me which way to turn the adjustment nut (under the dust cap) to solve hard steer to the right?

Thanks

Pat

 

There was another thread about this same thing..
When you had it up in the air, did you turn the wheels to full lock in both directions? Doing so will bleed the system. I dont think you need to further adjust the nut if the wheels arent turning when you start the car while the tires are off the ground.. It sounds to me like one side has air and just needs to be bled.

 

I'm the one with the car that only turns right -- At least you can race nascar . I have done everything by the book. Without a good outcome. I have purchased a new valve -- it will be here Monday. If I were you I would do the wheel turn thing try it in the morning and get a new valve. I'll let you know how mine works Monday night.

I really ticks me off when you try to do something right with new parts and a lack of QC turns out costing more money and time.

 

Are these new valves made by Lonestar ?

 

No, mine is from Vette Brakes. Rebuilt PSCV and Cylinder, new hoses except for the high pressure hose from the pump. To replace that one I will probably have to replace the PS pump. Unfortunately, the car has sat overnight. I spent quite a bit of time breeding the system. I think what I am going to do, is put the car back up on stands and turn the adjustment nut until the wheels swing (i hope) to the right. I do not want to have the RR the PSCV again. I don't know if the high pressure hose has one more off and on in it before the fitting rounds out. Then I'm into replacing the pump.

 

I replaced all the o-rings, seals in my PS pump, cylinder, control valve and new hoses on my 82. Bled the air out by turning wheels all the way to right/left serveral times, then balanced the valve and everything has been fine as of this date. The shop manual has been very helpful in this matter. There are also several online sights with step by step instructions which are helpful.....

 

I've had a couple valves that acted this way. Turns good on the stands but when on the ground it only turns one way with power.The ones I had had the adapter crushed on one side which would not let it move to one side.
I believe this happens when a pickle fork type joint separator is used to remove it from the pitman arm.
I guess a misadjusted adapter or a broken ball socket inside could do it also.

Before going in further look down on the valve through the engine compartment and have someone turn the wheel back and forth very slightly as you watch the stud that goes into the valve , if it only moves freely to the left then thats probably what happened to yours.

 

Success I think. I popped the dust on the pscv and turned the adjustment nut counter-clockwise until the wheels swung to the right, then backed off a half turn. Wasn't satisfied with the results. Swung the wheels a little more aggressive to right with the adjustment nut. backed out a 1/4 turn. This time it turned too easy to the right. Wheels didn't turn by themselves but, a hard turn of the steering wheel sent wheels and steering wheel turning to the stops. Backed off almost another quarter turn on the adjustment nut. Thought this put me back to where I started and that the PSCV was probably bad because again, it didn't feel like I was getting any assist going right. I could feel power steering going left and the ps unit would chatter when in reached the left stop. Nothing going righ, not even at the right stop. However, the power steering worked fine when I took the vehicle off the stands to move it to the other side of the garage where it is kept. I was able to one hand it going left and right. The ps unit could be heard groaning when steering right or left, which reduces my concern that this was because the centering is biased too much the right. So, I think I fixed it.

If what I have done is unsafe please let me know.

Thanks everbody for the help.

 

I would guess that even Vette Brakes sources some of their parts from there. I know a local shop that had 6 out of 8 units DEFECTIVE but this was a few years back and presently they seem to have solved their quality control problem (better Chinese translater?) You need to adjust the valve according to shop manual instructions, actually; I was taught to remove the power ram shaft from the frame mount (after doing the lock-to-lock bleeding proceedure to get rid of all the air in the system) and adjust the control valve while watching the ram reaction WITHOUT all the steering gear attached to it, this works REALLY EXCELLENT! You adjust the control valve nut until you see the puston moving left, then back it off while counting the turns until it goes right, then, turn the adjuster nut 1/2 way between the 2 positions for a DEAD CENTER adjustment. Pretty basic common sense given to me by my good friend Dave at corvetterepair.org along with many other "tricks of the trade". Try getting the Jim Shea (another PATRON SAINT of Corvettes) papers here: http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?page_id=4

 

I've replaced everything on my '82'-pump,valve,ram,hoses(all new from Ekler's). Balanced according to the book, but to me it still steers to hard. How easy should you be able to turn sitting on the ground-moving or standing still? While driving it doesn't seem to return on its own like I think it should. It does turn fairly easily on the stands. Any ideas?

 

I think I have mine working now. Effort while moving (even at slow speeds) is very minimal. I can easily steer in either direction with open hand on steering wheel. It's takes a little more effort with vehicle stopped. I can just about open palm the steering wheel around but not as comfortably as when the tires are rolling.

Thanks Solid LT1 for balancing advance. Your balancing explanation is clearer (to me) than the service manual. I omitted this step because the pscv from Vette Brakes was suppose to be centered by the vendor. Seemed to take more than a few turns of the adjustment nut to get things moving. After that, about one turn either way would cause the piston to move in or out. I split the difference.

I now hear power steering assist going in either direction; however, tone is different. Going left higher pitch hydraulic hiss, going right more of a groan. Anybody know if this is normal? Feels like a little more effort is need for steering right but there is ps assist in both directions.

 

Let us know how it goes. I am hoping I still have air in my system.