..you should check this only with a running engine....
how much play Power Steering control valve
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,078
Likes: 283
From: Dyersburg TN
how much play Power Steering control valve
how much play is normal for a 81's power steering control valve? There seems too much slack in steering wheel. When I have someone move the wheel while car is off and parked, the only place that has slack is the steering control valve.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
It will have slack when the engine is off. The hydraulic pressure takes it up when running. Its normal.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,691
Likes: 12
From: columbus oh
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
The ball is seated in a movable socket that is connected to the plunger. That plunger moves to direct the high pressure oil to one side or the other on the steering cylinder. As the ball actuates the plunger oil is sent to the cylinder to assist the steering. The movement is still there, but the action makes the steering move, so the motion is not as perceptible. It would be very unusual for the ball socket to have enough wear to cause a problem. If you have too much play, you need to look at the steering gear or the rag joint. They are the most common causes of looseness in the steering.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
That 'play' in the control valve when the engine is OFF is as just as designed (function as described above). The control valve senses movement in the steering via side-force on the valve and translates that into cylinder rod movement.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,078
Likes: 283
From: Dyersburg TN
but...
when the steering wheel is moved back and forth, the rag joint and pitman arm move with no visible slack. Car was just in a shop for alignment (t-arm rebuild). The shop is good and honest. They have always told me of any repairs needed when I have a vehicle in. They said nothing about any slack.
Yet I can move the steering wheel back and forth about 3" with no change in the front tires / direction of car.
what gives?
Yet I can move the steering wheel back and forth about 3" with no change in the front tires / direction of car.
what gives?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
There is no possible way that 3" of steering wheel movement can occur..without any movement of the steering links/wheels.. unless the steering box is defective. The control valve can have some 'free-play' in it when the car is turned OFF, but not nearly that much as there is a flat-coiled spring in it offering some resistance. You may want to raise the front end off the ground (so there is little resistance to wheel movement), then get under the car and watch as someone else turns the steering wheel [per your directions]. If you see the steering column shaft and ragjoint turning with no associated movement in the pittman arm (output of the steering box), the steering box internals are damaged. I suggest that you send a PM to Jim_Shea and report your actual findings, from the test above suggested above, to get his opinion of what might be wrong with your car.
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