1980 Steering Control Valve Play
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Freeport Maine
1980 Steering Control Valve Play
This past winter I completed a frame off stock rebuild of my 1980. One of the items that I replaced was the steering controll valve because it leaked and there was a lot of play in the ball stud. To my surprise the rebuilt unit also has play in it. The steering wheel will move about 1-2". All other parts in the front suspension are new and tight. Is there any way to tighten the ball stud and remove this play?? Did I just get a bad part?? What do you guys think??
Thanks,
Ron S
Thanks,
Ron S
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
There is some "play" in that component, but it is not free-play. That movement is balanced against a spring which dampens the steering linkage movements and helps the control head to sense directional motion. This keeps the translated motion from the power assist cylinder smooth, rather than jerky.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 14,345
Likes: 4
From: Hartselle AL
St. Jude Donor '09
Curious to the condition of your rear T/A bushings and other components? I ask because if they are worn out you will experience the same "darting" even with a perfect steering set up.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
but then, after all that, what sort of wheel/tire combo you running??
if you have say 17" wheels on it, and wider, like 9.5" similar to the C4 rims I run on my '72....you will have that 'road wander' or tracking in the worn ruts of a freeway....the OEM size tires/wheels don't exhibit the problem,
upgrading wheels/tires will necessitate upgrading the steering....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 805
Likes: 5
From: Naperville Illinois
Is the car turning without steering input from you, or is there just a lot of slop in the wheel? Unless you have had the car in the air with someone else turning the wheel and seen the control valve ball stud deflecting with your own eyes, I think you need to make sure you don't have another problem. I'd be inclined to bet on the rag joint, steering box, or idler arm as more likely suspects.
One thing I can say for sure, having just rebuilt the valve on my '68, is that if in fact the control valve stud is moving that much in the housing, the valve is junk--get a refund
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Freeport Maine
I have replaced everything on the front and rear suspension, rebuilt the steering box and rag joint. Even replaced the muffler bearings!!! This is all tight and I have had a 4 wheel alignment done. With the car in the the air and someone turning the steering wheel the only play is in the controll valve ball stud and there is no dought in my mind that this is the cause of the darting. (Stock tires).
Is it possible that someone just didn't tighten the ball stud in there properly??? I am out a few bucks to ship this back and down time so I am considering just dissaembling it to check it out. Of coarse then I own it so I am trying to decide what to do. Any suggestion will be appreciated.
Thanks,
Ron S
Is it possible that someone just didn't tighten the ball stud in there properly??? I am out a few bucks to ship this back and down time so I am considering just dissaembling it to check it out. Of coarse then I own it so I am trying to decide what to do. Any suggestion will be appreciated.
Thanks,
Ron S
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
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
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
If the hoses are routed correctly, you went through the process to purge air from the P/S system, and then balanced the control valve there must be a problem with the control valve unit.
