Conversion from power steering to standard?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 107
Likes: 9
From: Raymond NH
Conversion from power steering to standard?
Has anyone done it? Is it possible?
It looks like I gotta do a lot to the steering after all these years, and note I have a fluid leak. I'm wondering if it would make sense to eliminate the PS.
You guys always give me something to think about.
pb
It looks like I gotta do a lot to the steering after all these years, and note I have a fluid leak. I'm wondering if it would make sense to eliminate the PS.
You guys always give me something to think about.
pb
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,317
Likes: 111
From: St Louis MO
It's an easy conversion...
First, you will remove the power steering pump and hoses, the hydraulic actuator from the drag link and its frame mount, and lastly, the power steering control valve from the drag link.
The one new part is an adapter which takes the place of the PS control valve. Here's what it looks like:
Borgeson sells these as does Ecklers and Jegs. (https://www.borgeson.com/xcart/produ...&cat=63&page=1).
Alternately, you can modify your PS control valve.
This site (http://www.corvettesteering.com/Install.htm) had good instructions and pictures on how to modify it - don't know where the pictures went, but maybe they'll reappear later.
Either the adapter or the modified PS control valve fit the PS drag link and fastens to the PS pitman arm.
The only problem is that it will make your arms stronger when parking, but is virtually identical to the Corvette manual system.
First, you will remove the power steering pump and hoses, the hydraulic actuator from the drag link and its frame mount, and lastly, the power steering control valve from the drag link.
The one new part is an adapter which takes the place of the PS control valve. Here's what it looks like:
Borgeson sells these as does Ecklers and Jegs. (https://www.borgeson.com/xcart/produ...&cat=63&page=1).
Alternately, you can modify your PS control valve.
This site (http://www.corvettesteering.com/Install.htm) had good instructions and pictures on how to modify it - don't know where the pictures went, but maybe they'll reappear later.
Either the adapter or the modified PS control valve fit the PS drag link and fastens to the PS pitman arm.
The only problem is that it will make your arms stronger when parking, but is virtually identical to the Corvette manual system.
Last edited by larrywalk; Jan 31, 2010 at 05:31 PM. Reason: Added additional link.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 13
From: Europe , Luxembourg
Hi
Driving a manual steering car is much nicer than driving the C3 PS car.
You don't need more force, but have a great feelback.
It is the parking that makes steering a bit a hassle, but not impossible if you do it as learned. Only steer while slowly moving the car.
Our days, people tend to steer while standstill bending the living **** out of the frame and twisting the tires off the rims.
Rgds. Günther
Driving a manual steering car is much nicer than driving the C3 PS car.
You don't need more force, but have a great feelback.
It is the parking that makes steering a bit a hassle, but not impossible if you do it as learned. Only steer while slowly moving the car.
Our days, people tend to steer while standstill bending the living **** out of the frame and twisting the tires off the rims.
Rgds. Günther
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 20
From: The only Corvettes in Highett Victoria
Borgeson Power Steering
Paul,
Why not fit a Borgeson power steering box? They have recently released a MODERN integral power steering box that has the power ram built into it. You will need the drag link adapter as previously mentioned, and two new hoses and a new rag joint, all from Borgeson.
You remove the old manual steering box, the control valve on the drag link, and all four hoses that hang under the car. You keep your original pump, then just connect it to the Borgeson box with two hoses that don't hang under the engine. You also re-use your standard Pitman arm.
This new box has a sporty 12.7:1 ratio, compared to 16:1 standard, and the amount of power assist increases with steering wheel movement. You get almost no boost when driving in a straight line, but as soon as you start turning the wheel, the amount of boost increases. You get maximum boost when parking, just like a modern car.
At least look at their website before you make a decision. www.borgeson.com.
Regards from Down Under
aussiejohn
Why not fit a Borgeson power steering box? They have recently released a MODERN integral power steering box that has the power ram built into it. You will need the drag link adapter as previously mentioned, and two new hoses and a new rag joint, all from Borgeson.
You remove the old manual steering box, the control valve on the drag link, and all four hoses that hang under the car. You keep your original pump, then just connect it to the Borgeson box with two hoses that don't hang under the engine. You also re-use your standard Pitman arm.
This new box has a sporty 12.7:1 ratio, compared to 16:1 standard, and the amount of power assist increases with steering wheel movement. You get almost no boost when driving in a straight line, but as soon as you start turning the wheel, the amount of boost increases. You get maximum boost when parking, just like a modern car.
At least look at their website before you make a decision. www.borgeson.com.
Regards from Down Under
aussiejohn
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 107
Likes: 9
From: Raymond NH
Damn, but I love this forum. I ask, and get 3 different opinions from 3 continents. All thoughtful. It's up to me to use common sense and decide what fits my car and how I use it.
Where were you guys for the past 38 years when I REALLY needed you? (replace frame, rebuild engine, choose tires, etc., etc., etc.)
Thanks for the input. I printed out your posts.
pb
Where were you guys for the past 38 years when I REALLY needed you? (replace frame, rebuild engine, choose tires, etc., etc., etc.)
Thanks for the input. I printed out your posts.
pb
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,317
Likes: 111
From: St Louis MO
The rag joint still connects the column's shaft to the steering box.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 20
From: The only Corvettes in Highett Victoria
Damper
Ghunt,
Not sure what you mean by damper, maybe it was an option on manual steer cars, but it's not there in a power steer car. Its place is taken by the power ram that gives you the factory power assist. When you update to a modern integral power steering box like the Borgeson, you just don't need a damper as well.
Hope this answers your question.
Regards from Down Under
aussiejohn
Not sure what you mean by damper, maybe it was an option on manual steer cars, but it's not there in a power steer car. Its place is taken by the power ram that gives you the factory power assist. When you update to a modern integral power steering box like the Borgeson, you just don't need a damper as well.
Hope this answers your question.
Regards from Down Under
aussiejohn
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,413
Likes: 1,552
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
It's an easy conversion...
First, you will remove the power steering pump and hoses, the hydraulic actuator from the drag link and its frame mount, and lastly, the power steering control valve from the drag link.
The one new part is an adapter which takes the place of the PS control valve. Here's what it looks like:
Borgeson sells these as does Ecklers and Jegs. (https://www.borgeson.com/xcart/produ...&cat=63&page=1).
First, you will remove the power steering pump and hoses, the hydraulic actuator from the drag link and its frame mount, and lastly, the power steering control valve from the drag link.
The one new part is an adapter which takes the place of the PS control valve. Here's what it looks like:
Borgeson sells these as does Ecklers and Jegs. (https://www.borgeson.com/xcart/produ...&cat=63&page=1).
Can this adapeter be used without changing the relay rod and pitman arm?
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 20
From: The only Corvettes in Highett Victoria
It's new-ish
Pete,
The Drag Link Adapter is designed to replace the control valve on the (shorter) relay rod and to fit the standard Pitman arm. You would do this if you wanted to convert a power steer car to a manual steer car or when fitting a modern integral power steering box such as the Borgeson one.
So yes, you would use this without changing the relay rod or Pitman arm. You could also replace the power relay rod with a manual relay rod and would obviously not need the DLA in either of the above applications.
Hope this clears it up.
Regards from Down Under
aussiejohn
The Drag Link Adapter is designed to replace the control valve on the (shorter) relay rod and to fit the standard Pitman arm. You would do this if you wanted to convert a power steer car to a manual steer car or when fitting a modern integral power steering box such as the Borgeson one.
So yes, you would use this without changing the relay rod or Pitman arm. You could also replace the power relay rod with a manual relay rod and would obviously not need the DLA in either of the above applications.
Hope this clears it up.
Regards from Down Under
aussiejohn
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
I've driven plenty of manual cars and never thought they took excessive force to steer. You learn after awhile not to try to twist in place. A slow roll is all it takes, and it's not significantly more effort IMHO.
On another note, I can't believe that little adapter costs $130. I'd sooner order a manual drag link and pitman arm from Duntov for $245 than pay that much for what should be a $30 part.
Or for that matter just pull out the damn cylinder, pump, and plumbing, move the tie rod ends to the rear holes in the hubs, reset the toe, and drive. I bet you could find someone here willing to trade your PS stuff for their manual though.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Suggest you get in touch with redvetracr for that HD relay rod and correct pitman arm if you tend to drive hard. Doesn't flex as much as a standard rod. Do I have one on my shark? 
TSW
TSW
Last edited by TheSkunkWorks; Feb 3, 2010 at 06:50 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 157
Likes: 1
From: Sebring florida
Aussiejohn;
The Steering Dampner is just what I described,a shock absorber between the frame and where the power steering ram attached to.
Chedk out the parts diagrahm for manual steering and it will be there. It's not a option but a necessary item.
Ghunt
The Steering Dampner is just what I described,a shock absorber between the frame and where the power steering ram attached to.
Chedk out the parts diagrahm for manual steering and it will be there. It's not a option but a necessary item.
Ghunt
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Had a damper (Safe T Steer) on my last two motorcoaches, but not on my C3. IMHO, unless steering vibrations actually present a noticeable problem, its "necessity" is really up to each owner.