Steering question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 193
Likes: 17
From: Greer SC
Steering question
OK this is my new project.The steering seems tight ,but,it wanders some.I put it up on the lift and noticed the power steering valve seems to move quite a bit where the pitman arm hooks on.Is it supposed too?This baby is a real nice 1 owner ,I got a file with everything ever done to this car.The original title dated sept 1980.Even the check he used to buy the car.By the way 8 new tires ordered 4 for this,4 for the 71
Last edited by ndmick; Apr 17, 2010 at 08:39 PM. Reason: spelling
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 115
From: Saginaw Michigan
With the engine off you will notice a lot more movement of the ball stud than with the engine on. This is the nature of the control valve.
Check the flexible coupling, idler arm, tie rod ends, and the steering gear for lost motion. Check the pitman shaft for side to side motion in the steering gear housing.
I would also suggest a four wheel alignment to possibly correct the wander issue.
Jim
Check the flexible coupling, idler arm, tie rod ends, and the steering gear for lost motion. Check the pitman shaft for side to side motion in the steering gear housing.
I would also suggest a four wheel alignment to possibly correct the wander issue.
Jim
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 1
From: SOUTH ELGIN IL
Could this not be an issue in the steering box itself? Mine seems to be having a problem in which it wanders on me a little and the wheel is stationary in the car so I am constantly correcting. I was leaning toward new steering box... frankly I am now leaning toward front suspension rebuild kit...
Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 465
Likes: 0
Ahhh I remember those symptoms....
1980 Vette.
Car wandered and had to keep the hands on the wheels
Did some adjustment with the control valve screw but the car kept
wandering
Then I decided to check the real wheel bearings. They were in fair shape but noticed that the control arm bushings were past due !
Since I was in that area, I also changed my camber strut rods with the SMART set. Now my rear wheel package is tight and snug.
The strut bushings were
With the assistance of a good friend licenced mecanic, we got the vette lined up in my garage with his tools. With carefull reinstallation of the rear control arms and using the smart strut FRIENDLY adjustment, my baby was lined up with the VBP specs
Now it drives so tight that I'm over correcting when the vette is catching pavement lines. I was so used to wandering from left to right and having to correct it:o
My worn rear bushing were definetly culprits.
Jim is giving you smart advice.
Alignment would be a good first step.
Check with the owner if he did any work on the rear trailing arm bushing and camber struts. 30yr old bushings replaced with new ones is $$$ and time well spent.
Your vette is GOOD LOOKING !
S80
Car wandered and had to keep the hands on the wheels
Did some adjustment with the control valve screw but the car kept
wandering
Then I decided to check the real wheel bearings. They were in fair shape but noticed that the control arm bushings were past due !
Since I was in that area, I also changed my camber strut rods with the SMART set. Now my rear wheel package is tight and snug.
The strut bushings were
With the assistance of a good friend licenced mecanic, we got the vette lined up in my garage with his tools. With carefull reinstallation of the rear control arms and using the smart strut FRIENDLY adjustment, my baby was lined up with the VBP specs
Now it drives so tight that I'm over correcting when the vette is catching pavement lines. I was so used to wandering from left to right and having to correct it:o
My worn rear bushing were definetly culprits.
Jim is giving you smart advice.
Alignment would be a good first step.
Check with the owner if he did any work on the rear trailing arm bushing and camber struts. 30yr old bushings replaced with new ones is $$$ and time well spent.
Your vette is GOOD LOOKING !
S80
