power steering too quick
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
From: nova scotia canada
power steering too quick
Guys- Need some suggestions on ways to reduce play in my power steering. I don't believe i have parts that need replacement just that power steering doesn't allow for road feel and with 425 hp the car is hard to handle with quick steering. Years ago i had my steering pump built up with washers to reduce play and it did help but with more hp i need more of the same. Thanx Wade
PS- If there are no tricks to reduce play with my existing pump how much work and cost for a change over to standard steering?
PS- If there are no tricks to reduce play with my existing pump how much work and cost for a change over to standard steering?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,740
Likes: 3
From: Aurora Ontario
Guys- Need some suggestions on ways to reduce play in my power steering. I don't believe i have parts that need replacement just that power steering doesn't allow for road feel and with 425 hp the car is hard to handle with quick steering. Years ago i had my steering pump built up with washers to reduce play and it did help but with more hp i need more of the same. Thanx Wade
PS- If there are no tricks to reduce play with my existing pump how much work and cost for a change over to standard steering?
PS- If there are no tricks to reduce play with my existing pump how much work and cost for a change over to standard steering?
I haven't done it in a long time. But I was able to adjust the worm gear on the steering box on my 77 for less play and tighter steering. I can't remember exactly how I did it. Maybe someone here will. But you can get it tighter.
Jim
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,740
Likes: 3
From: Aurora Ontario
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
Power steering shouldn't be any quicker with 400 HP than 200 HP. And I don't know what you are talking about with the pump. I think you need to look at the steering valve and make sure it is adjusted correctly.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
Jim Shea is the expert on this subject, but I believe that the responsiveness of the C3 power steering system is somewhat a function of how stiff [or soft] the coiled spring is in the control valve (next to the ball joint 'plug'). If that spring is very stiff, the control would be more responsive (and feel tighter); if that spring is softer, it would need a little more movement to have it cause the valve to move so less responsive but not as 'tight' feeling. I believe that there was a change to the stiffness of that spring..sometime during the run of C3 production.
Another possibility is that the tie rods are installed in the wrong hole at the spindle knuckle. The tie rod should be connected to the inner hole for a power steering car [and the outer hole for the manual steering model].
Another possibility is that the tie rods are installed in the wrong hole at the spindle knuckle. The tie rod should be connected to the inner hole for a power steering car [and the outer hole for the manual steering model].
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,373
Likes: 6,371
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
Lars
Update: I have sent a note to CorvetteActionCenter asking them to remove the article and to contact me for a correct copy. If anyone is aware of other websites posting that incorrectly credited article, please let me know:
V8FastCars@msn.com
Last edited by lars; Nov 5, 2010 at 10:41 AM.
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,482
Likes: 3
From: Carmichael ca
Moving the tie rods to the inner holes on the spindle would make the steering "quicker". Using the outer holes would make it "slower". Either change would require the toe in to be readjusted.
I'm also confused about the PS pump washers and how that affects the quickness of the steering.
I'm also confused about the PS pump washers and how that affects the quickness of the steering.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 86
From: Rotonda FL
"Quick" is very subjective and can describe many different conditions. I have seen the term used to indicate that the steering input seemed to make the car dart - i.e. be too responsive and turn too fast. This happens in C3's when the frame sags slightly with age. You wind up losing the necessary caster adjustment. A car with little caster will feel very responsive and one with more will feel slow and heavy steering. This is what I experienced.
Before doing anything mechanical, I suggest that the o.p. get his alignment checked. If it is good, then begin looking at all of the other problems/solutions discussed above
Before doing anything mechanical, I suggest that the o.p. get his alignment checked. If it is good, then begin looking at all of the other problems/solutions discussed above
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
From: Falls Church Virginia
Wadey I suggest converting to Steeroids rack and pinion. I did mine a few months ago and what a great set up. My 75 drives like my 2003. They are running an article in VETTE mag right now called Project C3 Triple-Ex where they made the conversion a few articles back. Just my suggestion its well worth the price. Makes it alot more fun driving a C3. Just my 2 cents.
R/S
sgm
R/S
sgm
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,444
Likes: 970
From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
Wadey I suggest converting to Steeroids rack and pinion. I did mine a few months ago and what a great set up. My 75 drives like my 2003. They are running an article in VETTE mag right now called Project C3 Triple-Ex where they made the conversion a few articles back. Just my suggestion its well worth the price. Makes it alot more fun driving a C3. Just my 2 cents.
R/S
sgm
R/S
sgm
Last edited by jb78L-82; Nov 7, 2010 at 08:27 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
Wadey I suggest converting to Steeroids rack and pinion. I did mine a few months ago and what a great set up. My 75 drives like my 2003. They are running an article in VETTE mag right now called Project C3 Triple-Ex where they made the conversion a few articles back. Just my suggestion its well worth the price. Makes it alot more fun driving a C3. Just my 2 cents.
R/S
sgm
R/S
sgm
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
From: Falls Church Virginia
Yes your correct money cures all. But I think this is the best bang for it buck 
you will find. I find steering ratio is not that big a deal when the majority of the time your cursen along. As far as what its like well go drive a 2003 Corvette thats the way it drives. Skinney steering wheel is a little odd. Thanks
sgm
you will find. I find steering ratio is not that big a deal when the majority of the time your cursen along. As far as what its like well go drive a 2003 Corvette thats the way it drives. Skinney steering wheel is a little odd. Thankssgm
Last edited by sgm2004; Nov 7, 2010 at 11:10 AM. Reason: add to
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
Yes your correct money cures all. But I think this is the best bang for it buck you will find. I find steering ratio is not that big a deal when the majority of the time your cursen along. As far as what its like well go drive a 2003 Corvette thats the way it drives. Skinney steering wheel is a little odd. Thanks
sgm
you will find. I find steering ratio is not that big a deal when the majority of the time your cursen along. As far as what its like well go drive a 2003 Corvette thats the way it drives. Skinney steering wheel is a little odd. Thankssgm
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
From: Falls Church Virginia
R/S
sgm
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,444
Likes: 970
From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
C4's had rack and pinion steering. There is more to steering and handling than just the steering mechanism. For a variety of reasons, A C3 will not handle like a C5 and definitely not like a C6, BUT one can get very close using the stock design components, optimized for the chasiss design.
