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steering woes
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 66
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From: Perth, Western Austraila
steering woes
Hi all,
I've had a problem with the steering on my 81 since i bought it. Does not return to center when making a left turn, I narrowed down to something in the power steering after driving around the block with the belt off, although very hard to steer it does return with no power assist, My car has been converted to rhd for australian roads but retains the orignal setup just switched around. it has a new valve centered, car tracks straight, new ram and the pump doesn't leak or make noises. my pressure and return hose are extened through custom made lines that run under the sump to reach the valve on the right hand side. Everyone I know is at a loss on this problem, car has been aligned, new ball joints , but just down the power assist where the problem is. Valve is a "new" lonestar unit is it possible to get a weird problem like this with the old and new valve? thanks phil
I've had a problem with the steering on my 81 since i bought it. Does not return to center when making a left turn, I narrowed down to something in the power steering after driving around the block with the belt off, although very hard to steer it does return with no power assist, My car has been converted to rhd for australian roads but retains the orignal setup just switched around. it has a new valve centered, car tracks straight, new ram and the pump doesn't leak or make noises. my pressure and return hose are extened through custom made lines that run under the sump to reach the valve on the right hand side. Everyone I know is at a loss on this problem, car has been aligned, new ball joints , but just down the power assist where the problem is. Valve is a "new" lonestar unit is it possible to get a weird problem like this with the old and new valve? thanks phil
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 66
Likes: 4
From: Perth, Western Austraila
Hi mike, unsure about box being rebuilt my mechainc set the lash, said steering box is ok. I did loosen the the jam bolt slightly incase it was binding but still same problem and the steering wandered, put it bac to the mark it was set at. But without the p/s belt on steering was returning equal so i assume that takes the box out from being the cause. Steering to the left feels slightly lighter then turning right with power steering.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
I'd bet that your mechanic set the steering box lash too tight. Mark the location of the [upper] lash adjustment shaft & slot. Loosen the lock nut (while using a screwdriver to keep the shaft in place), turn the shaft 1/4 turn CCW to loosen it a bit, then lock the nut back down. Drive it to see if the steering loosened up any. If it does, keep adjusting in small increments until the wheel is (1) free to return on its own, (2) there are no tight or loose spots throughout the steering wheel travel, and (3) there is no 'slop' in the steering action. If that adjustment does NOT help, reset it back where it was and look elsewhere. But, that is the most obvious place to start.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 20
From: The only Corvettes in Highett Victoria
"Original set-up just switched around"?????????????/
Phil,
You can't leave it like that. You just cannot take a LHD box from the inside of the left frame rail and bolt it onto the inside of the right hand frame rail with no other modifications. For a start, the right engine mount support bracket is in the way and must be cut heavily to put a RHD box in there.
If you don't cut the bracket, then the box is mounted too far to the rear. On top of that, how did the mechanic mount the rounded side of the box to the "straight" frame? Are you sure that he did not put in a Falcon box that is designed for RHD?
Show us some photos and we can give you a better diagnosis and then help.
Regards from Down Under
aussiejohn
You can't leave it like that. You just cannot take a LHD box from the inside of the left frame rail and bolt it onto the inside of the right hand frame rail with no other modifications. For a start, the right engine mount support bracket is in the way and must be cut heavily to put a RHD box in there.
If you don't cut the bracket, then the box is mounted too far to the rear. On top of that, how did the mechanic mount the rounded side of the box to the "straight" frame? Are you sure that he did not put in a Falcon box that is designed for RHD?
Show us some photos and we can give you a better diagnosis and then help.
Regards from Down Under
aussiejohn
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 66
Likes: 4
From: Perth, Western Austraila
Hi John, Sorry yeh its orignal as in uses a ford zc/zd fairlane steering box and the orignal valve and ram. Not a holden or cressida setup. here are some pics of the setup
you can see the pressure and return line running across in this one, wonder is these extended lines create an unequal pressure?
the ford steering box
you can see the pressure and return line running across in this one, wonder is these extended lines create an unequal pressure?
the ford steering box
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 20
From: The only Corvettes in Highett Victoria
Very interesting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Phil,
That third photo really threw me! Are those two lines going past the headers the power steering lines? I presume that the two hose clamped ones in the bottom right are fuel supply and return, but what about the other two? The underneath shot shows (presumably) one of the steering hoses loosely clamped to the drag link and this means that the hose must flex rather badly after the clamps when the wheel is turned its full reach. Also, the hose is at risk of being cut by the hose clamps with repeated use.
Phil, we want you to enjoy your Corvette, but that set-up looks dangerous. But don't worry, it can be fixed. I'd like to have a look at it and live in Melbourne. Where are you? I'm in the Chevrolet Car Club of Victoria Inc. and we have a lot of Corvette owners, many of whom have RHD cars, and we would be pleased to offer our assistance.
Call me on 03 9502 3227 if I can be of any help.
Regards from Down Under
aussiejohn
That third photo really threw me! Are those two lines going past the headers the power steering lines? I presume that the two hose clamped ones in the bottom right are fuel supply and return, but what about the other two? The underneath shot shows (presumably) one of the steering hoses loosely clamped to the drag link and this means that the hose must flex rather badly after the clamps when the wheel is turned its full reach. Also, the hose is at risk of being cut by the hose clamps with repeated use.
Phil, we want you to enjoy your Corvette, but that set-up looks dangerous. But don't worry, it can be fixed. I'd like to have a look at it and live in Melbourne. Where are you? I'm in the Chevrolet Car Club of Victoria Inc. and we have a lot of Corvette owners, many of whom have RHD cars, and we would be pleased to offer our assistance.
Call me on 03 9502 3227 if I can be of any help.
Regards from Down Under
aussiejohn
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 66
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From: Perth, Western Austraila
John,
Those two lines are from the master cylinder, underneath is the power steering lines clamped to the drag link but they are custom metal pipes so they wont get damaged with they have the rubber hoses on both ends, , the lines move do move but they are long enough not to stretch or kink when i turn lock to lock. When the steering returns from center in regards to the power assist is it simply the p/s fluid return being dumped back into the resvoir? Could be a geometry problem with the fluid return? Also I'm in Perth thanks for the offer, getting sick of people say thats how these old corvettes all are
Those two lines are from the master cylinder, underneath is the power steering lines clamped to the drag link but they are custom metal pipes so they wont get damaged with they have the rubber hoses on both ends, , the lines move do move but they are long enough not to stretch or kink when i turn lock to lock. When the steering returns from center in regards to the power assist is it simply the p/s fluid return being dumped back into the resvoir? Could be a geometry problem with the fluid return? Also I'm in Perth thanks for the offer, getting sick of people say thats how these old corvettes all are
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 20
From: The only Corvettes in Highett Victoria
A bit clearer now!
Phil,
Thanks for the explanation. I still don't like the brake lines to be that close to the headers, surely they can be moved to the side away from the engine, even if you have to fabricate a couple of new, longer ones.
Now, I'm not the steering geometry expert, but I do know that the amount of caster in a front suspension has a big effect on the "self-centring" ability of the steering system. The more caster, the greater the self-centring effect.
The C3 has virtually zero caster and this, coupled with a Ford Falcon steering box mounted on the wrong side of the car and a "flipped" ram and other components, could well explain your lack of self-centring. Not knocking you, but the Corvette is probably the worst LHD car in the world to convert to RHD and very few, if any, converters do a really good job of it. It's all a compromise, and I repeat that the converter of your car made plenty of them.
At the risk of offending the moderators here, I suggest that you join the online Australian Corvettes Association and you will find plenty of RHD Corvette owners. Several are in Western Australia and you are sure to find someone who lives near you who can help.
Good luck, and keep in touch.
Regards from Down Under
aussiejohn
Thanks for the explanation. I still don't like the brake lines to be that close to the headers, surely they can be moved to the side away from the engine, even if you have to fabricate a couple of new, longer ones.
Now, I'm not the steering geometry expert, but I do know that the amount of caster in a front suspension has a big effect on the "self-centring" ability of the steering system. The more caster, the greater the self-centring effect.
The C3 has virtually zero caster and this, coupled with a Ford Falcon steering box mounted on the wrong side of the car and a "flipped" ram and other components, could well explain your lack of self-centring. Not knocking you, but the Corvette is probably the worst LHD car in the world to convert to RHD and very few, if any, converters do a really good job of it. It's all a compromise, and I repeat that the converter of your car made plenty of them.
At the risk of offending the moderators here, I suggest that you join the online Australian Corvettes Association and you will find plenty of RHD Corvette owners. Several are in Western Australia and you are sure to find someone who lives near you who can help.
Good luck, and keep in touch.
Regards from Down Under
aussiejohn
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 66
Likes: 4
From: Perth, Western Austraila
thanks John for your support,
Headers have only just been put on and that was one custom job! ceramic coated should keep the heat down a bit. I think i have eliminated the caster it's 1.7 degrees both sides had it aligned 3 times in the last 2 years all they say what a shame a nice car drives like that
as i've said steering does return equal both sides when i had the p/s belt off. I guess combination of things not orignal to make a "mirror conversion" has it's consequences, just gonna be trial and error.
Headers have only just been put on and that was one custom job! ceramic coated should keep the heat down a bit. I think i have eliminated the caster it's 1.7 degrees both sides had it aligned 3 times in the last 2 years all they say what a shame a nice car drives like that
as i've said steering does return equal both sides when i had the p/s belt off. I guess combination of things not orignal to make a "mirror conversion" has it's consequences, just gonna be trial and error.