Power Steering Valve Question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: Franksville Wisconsin
Power Steering Valve Question
Hi I have a freind with a '71 C3 that I am helping with some repairs.
He complains about loose steering, so I take a look it has new A-arm bushings,power steering ram,tierod ends,idler arm etc...and a newer looking power steering valve. The ball stud on the valve has lots of slop in it. I say its shot....he talks to someone he knows that claims it is normal and will go away when eninge is running and has pressure on it. Is this correct? This sounds insane to me. That is the only play I can find anywhere. Steering box is good and snug too.
He complains about loose steering, so I take a look it has new A-arm bushings,power steering ram,tierod ends,idler arm etc...and a newer looking power steering valve. The ball stud on the valve has lots of slop in it. I say its shot....he talks to someone he knows that claims it is normal and will go away when eninge is running and has pressure on it. Is this correct? This sounds insane to me. That is the only play I can find anywhere. Steering box is good and snug too.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,691
Likes: 12
From: columbus oh
sounds like the worm and sector needs adjustment or the steering box is dead....plenty of slop in a power steer car with the engine off.....grab the rag joint (engine off) and see how much play you have before the pittman arm starts to move...should be minimal..good luck
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
Hi I have a freind with a '71 C3 that I am helping with some repairs.
he talks to someone he knows that claims it is normal and will go away when eninge is running and has pressure on it. Is this correct? This sounds insane to me. That is the only play I can find anywhere. Steering box is good and snug too.
he talks to someone he knows that claims it is normal and will go away when eninge is running and has pressure on it. Is this correct? This sounds insane to me. That is the only play I can find anywhere. Steering box is good and snug too.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: Franksville Wisconsin
Steering box is full of grease we topped it off and it has minimal play. If the preload screw is tightened 1/2 turn in it starts to bind so we backed it off some. Seemed to be aligned with colmn.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
Rick B.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: Franksville Wisconsin
I was just web browsing and stumbled on mid america motorworks site tech sheet.It shows a ball stud adjusting nut #20 accessable by removing the valve head.
http://content.mamotorworks.com/pdf/602456.pdf
http://content.mamotorworks.com/pdf/602456.pdf
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
That 'slop' in the ball stud [P/S control valve] is how the unit senses the steering input need. There is a short coil spring next to the ball stud mechanism which allows that movement. If that movement wasn't allowed, the P/S wouldn't know which way to turn.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
I was just web browsing and stumbled on mid america motorworks site tech sheet.It shows a ball stud adjusting nut #20 accessable by removing the valve head.
http://content.mamotorworks.com/pdf/602456.pdf
http://content.mamotorworks.com/pdf/602456.pdf
Rick B.
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Vista CA
To align box and column, turn wheel all the way to the left or right. Count the number of turns to turn to opposite side. Turn wheel half the total distance. this should center the steering gear. At this point check alignment to steering column. The bolt on the rag joint on the steering column should be pointing straight down. Check toe-in and see if it is still correct.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Sloppy steering is NOT normal. Best learn how the PS control valve works, then you'll understand why the free play is there.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: Franksville Wisconsin
Actually I rebuilt a few of these and understand how they work. Pretty cude actually.I plan on removing the valve head and reset the ball stud preload. 1/4" movement seems like too much to me. I just put one on my '81 and it has minimal movement about 1/8 total and works great!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: Franksville Wisconsin
The valve on my 1981 was purchased in rebuilt condition. It was cheaper that way $80 It needed ball kit and seal kit, so I went that way. The few I rebuilt worked great. The steering felt slightly tighter, but gorked great.