RE: Power Steering Problems
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 149
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From: Southgate Michigan
RE: Power Steering Problems
I've got a problem with the power steering. I have absolutely no power steering what so ever. I completely rebuilt the system, but I added an aftermarket Pump that has a remote reservoir, so i had to make special lines in order to hook everything up, but the lines from the control valve to the shock are the stock ones. It's just the lines from the remote reservoir to the pump, pump to the control valve & the control valve back to the reservoir. Could this be the problem? I bled the system & there's no air in it as far as I can tell & the control valve seems to be centered. Has anyone else had any experience using an aftermarket pump [remote resevoir] with the stock steering system? I really can't see why it wouldn't work. But, maybe I'm missing something. Thanks in advance for any help.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
What kind of pump are you using? Do you have the specs to compare the pressure of your pump to the stock GM pump?
Are you sure you have the lines from the control valve to the piston hooked up correctly? It's easy to cross those. Some pics would be useful.
Rick B.
Are you sure you have the lines from the control valve to the piston hooked up correctly? It's easy to cross those. Some pics would be useful.
Rick B.
Last edited by 72LS1Vette; Nov 21, 2011 at 09:01 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 149
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From: Southgate Michigan
Re: Power steering problems
The Pump is made by 'Zoops'; Part of their 'Front-Runner' System. It's a GM Type II Pump, which is pretty much the standard for GM Power Steering Pumps. I was told by Zoops it would work & it meets or exceeds GM factory pumps.
As for the Lines: Yes, the factory lines are routed correctly, as I checked them today, just to make sure. All of the lines are routed correctly. This is what the Pump Looks Like:
This is a picture of the engine compartment showing the front runner system. the pump is located on the lower driver's side of the engine.
You can see the line that's running from the remote resevoir, that is located on the driver's side just in front of the radiator cradle, in the front of the car.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,024
Likes: 658
From: FL
Did you bleed the system by jacking up the car and turning the steering with wheels in the air? That always works for me.
New PS control valve? I got a new PS valve from a reputable supplier. Voila, no PS. Swapped back to my old one and got PS back. Ended up rebuilding my original (problem was leaks).
New PS control valve? I got a new PS valve from a reputable supplier. Voila, no PS. Swapped back to my old one and got PS back. Ended up rebuilding my original (problem was leaks).
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 149
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From: Southgate Michigan
Re: Power steering problems
Hi: Yeah, that's just a 'pic' of the pulley system, right after we put it on. If you'll also notice the pulley for the alternator is missing, as well as the upper radiator hose. 
It now has everything installed like it should. Just wanted to 'clear' that up. Thanks for your reply !
It now has everything installed like it should. Just wanted to 'clear' that up. Thanks for your reply !
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 149
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From: Southgate Michigan
Re: Power steering problems
Did you bleed the system by jacking up the car and turning the steering with wheels in the air? That always works for me.
New PS control valve? I got a new PS valve from a reputable supplier. Voila, no PS. Swapped back to my old one and got PS back. Ended up rebuilding my original (problem was leaks).
New PS control valve? I got a new PS valve from a reputable supplier. Voila, no PS. Swapped back to my old one and got PS back. Ended up rebuilding my original (problem was leaks).
Thanks for replying to my delimea. Yeah, we did that. Zoops told us to turn the steering wheel 'lock to lock' about 25-50 times, which I did. Still No power steering.
I've pretty much went 'by the book' for trying to get this darm system to work ! 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 111
From: Saginaw Michigan
Does the pump make any sort of noise as you turn the steering wheel particularly near full lock? A lot of air trapped in a new steering system can result in no or little assist. However, there should be a lot of noise from foamy oil in the system.
BTW, there is a thread with "getting the air out" that I just replied to on this forum and very close to this thread.
This has nothing to do with your system not providing power assist, but this is one other factor to be aware of:
The C2/C3 Corvette power steering components were designed to only operate up to 1000 psi pressure. I hope that the pump that you purchased doesn't have a pressure relief setting that is in the 1400 psi range. (1400 psi is the typical GM pressure setting. The ancient design Corvette system was only designed for 900-1000 psi. You may have hose leakage and seal failures in the control valve with too high pressures.)
jim
BTW, there is a thread with "getting the air out" that I just replied to on this forum and very close to this thread.
This has nothing to do with your system not providing power assist, but this is one other factor to be aware of:
The C2/C3 Corvette power steering components were designed to only operate up to 1000 psi pressure. I hope that the pump that you purchased doesn't have a pressure relief setting that is in the 1400 psi range. (1400 psi is the typical GM pressure setting. The ancient design Corvette system was only designed for 900-1000 psi. You may have hose leakage and seal failures in the control valve with too high pressures.)
jim
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 149
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From: Southgate Michigan
Re: Power steering problems
Does the pump make any sort of noise as you turn the steering wheel particularly near full lock? A lot of air trapped in a new steering system can result in no or little assist. However, there should be a lot of noise from foamy oil in the system.
BTW, there is a thread with "getting the air out" that I just replied to on this forum and very close to this thread.
This has nothing to do with your system not providing power assist, but this is one other factor to be aware of:
The C2/C3 Corvette power steering components were designed to only operate up to 1000 psi pressure. I hope that the pump that you purchased doesn't have a pressure relief setting that is in the 1400 psi range. (1400 psi is the typical GM pressure setting. The ancient design Corvette system was only designed for 900-1000 psi. You may have hose leakage and seal failures in the control valve with too high pressures.)
jim
BTW, there is a thread with "getting the air out" that I just replied to on this forum and very close to this thread.
This has nothing to do with your system not providing power assist, but this is one other factor to be aware of:
The C2/C3 Corvette power steering components were designed to only operate up to 1000 psi pressure. I hope that the pump that you purchased doesn't have a pressure relief setting that is in the 1400 psi range. (1400 psi is the typical GM pressure setting. The ancient design Corvette system was only designed for 900-1000 psi. You may have hose leakage and seal failures in the control valve with too high pressures.)
jim
As for the Pump making noise, like you suggested. As far as I can tell, I really didn't hear nothing out of the ordinary. Thanks again for your help !
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,112
From: Crossville TN
I will simply 'echo' the concern of a previous poster: verify...via the hose routing shown in the AIM...that the pump pressure line is being fed to the correct fitting on the control valve. Just because the line fittings match up with the component fittings doesn't mean that everything is "peachy". Double, then triple check that detail!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: Southgate Michigan
Re: Power Steering Problems
Does the pump make any sort of noise as you turn the steering wheel particularly near full lock? A lot of air trapped in a new steering system can result in no or little assist. However, there should be a lot of noise from foamy oil in the system.
BTW, there is a thread with "getting the air out" that I just replied to on this forum and very close to this thread.
This has nothing to do with your system not providing power assist, but this is one other factor to be aware of:
The C2/C3 Corvette power steering components were designed to only operate up to 1000 psi pressure. I hope that the pump that you purchased doesn't have a pressure relief setting that is in the 1400 psi range. (1400 psi is the typical GM pressure setting. The ancient design Corvette system was only designed for 900-1000 psi. You may have hose leakage and seal failures in the control valve with too high pressures.)
jim
BTW, there is a thread with "getting the air out" that I just replied to on this forum and very close to this thread.
This has nothing to do with your system not providing power assist, but this is one other factor to be aware of:
The C2/C3 Corvette power steering components were designed to only operate up to 1000 psi pressure. I hope that the pump that you purchased doesn't have a pressure relief setting that is in the 1400 psi range. (1400 psi is the typical GM pressure setting. The ancient design Corvette system was only designed for 900-1000 psi. You may have hose leakage and seal failures in the control valve with too high pressures.)
jim
Talked to the head guy @ Zoops today & the specs on the pump I have is rated @ 800 - 1000 PSI.
But, now, I'm suspecting the Control Valve is the culpret. I'm gonna do some tests on it to see if that's what it is exactly.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 149
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From: Southgate Michigan
Re: Power steering problems
Would like to know if anyone has any experience with setting up the control valve. I tried to 'center' it today. Did the 'deal' with disconnecting the shock rod from the frame bracket & then started the car to see which way the plunger rod would go; either in or out. Well, it didn't move at all, until I started turning the adjustment nut on the control valve. As I turned the nut, the rod started to move outward. I then turned the adjustment nut, the other way, counting the number of turns, until the rod started going back into the shock, then I turned it back the other way, half the number of turns. This is what I was told, is the 'center' of the adjustment.
My Question is: How fast will the rod move in & out durring this process????
I'm at a loss as to Y I can't get the power steering to work.
Any Help out there would be greatly appreciated !
Cruisin Davey G !
My Question is: How fast will the rod move in & out durring this process????
I'm at a loss as to Y I can't get the power steering to work.
Any Help out there would be greatly appreciated !
Cruisin Davey G !
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 149
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From: Southgate Michigan
Re: Power steering problems
So, Robb, Whatta Think???? It's suppose to go down with the front & rear together, but I'm not too good at doing that yet manually.
Once we get everything set-up in the interior with the controller, it's suppose to do it automatically. When ya get in the car & turn the key, it will lift automatically to ride height. When you stop the car & turn off the key, it will automatically 'drop' to the ground, front & rear together. Only reason it's not doing that now, is because we don't know exactly where 'ride-height' is, until it goes to the alignment shop. All of this 'air management' stuff is new to me. But, my kids, been at it for awhile.
Cruisin' Davey G !
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2010
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From: Southgate Michigan
I Once built one & did a lot of different things to it & made the car non-stock one. People 'ragged' on me about it & said that I 'ruined' it & they'd never do that to theirs in a million years. Well, about 6 months later, I start seein 'copy-cats' at the shows
This latest 'creation' of my son & I, is for right now, a 'one-of-a-kind'. But we gotta bet goin to see how long it will be B4 we start seein the 'copy-cats' appearing everywhere. Also, I love the 'guys' that say their Vette's 'Puer Stock' & they got a set of 'Rims' on it. Either it's Stock, or it's Not !
This Car Building is a 'Hobby' to me & I have fun with it, seeing what the hell I can do next, that would be 'cool'
A Car's only worth what someone's willing to pay for it. And, if someone sez "I goota have it", then you'll get lucky & go for 'broke' & ask 'top-dollar' & then some.We live in a 'Gotta Have It' World !
Cruisin' Davey G !
Thread Starter
Instructor
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From: Southgate Michigan
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,707
Likes: 550
From: Seattle Washington
I have a simalar Type II pump on a Vintage Air Frontrunner. I never ran it with the stock type Steering only with the Steeroids Rack. The Stock Type II Pump puts out to much Flow for Steeroids Rack and because of this Companys are modifying them for less Flow. If You have one of these modifed Pumps and are useing it on the original Steering it might not be enough.
One quik way to test the Pump would be to remove the pressure line and dump it into the remote Oil Tank. You should be able to see Oil Flow now but this dosn't mean its got Pressure. If You could put a Valve in line and a Pressure Gauge then You would find out what Pressure it putting out. The Pump should have a relief Valve in side. If all this is OK then its down stream and not the pump.
Thinking about it more the 1st thing I'd do is look in the Remote Tank when its running. There is probably enough Flow that You won't be able to open it with out Oil gushing out. If there isn't Oil Flow in the Tank and the Oil in the Tank dosn't warm up well then You have Pump problems.
One quik way to test the Pump would be to remove the pressure line and dump it into the remote Oil Tank. You should be able to see Oil Flow now but this dosn't mean its got Pressure. If You could put a Valve in line and a Pressure Gauge then You would find out what Pressure it putting out. The Pump should have a relief Valve in side. If all this is OK then its down stream and not the pump.
Thinking about it more the 1st thing I'd do is look in the Remote Tank when its running. There is probably enough Flow that You won't be able to open it with out Oil gushing out. If there isn't Oil Flow in the Tank and the Oil in the Tank dosn't warm up well then You have Pump problems.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,200
Likes: 3
From: Lehigh county Pennsylvania
Here's something to check:
Slave cylinder to control valve hose routing.
http://willcoxcorvette.com/instructi...to%20valve.JPG
Here's the centering instructions:
http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...lp.php?hID=188
Click on 'Supporting Documentation' to download the PDF file.
Slave cylinder to control valve hose routing.
http://willcoxcorvette.com/instructi...to%20valve.JPG
Here's the centering instructions:
http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...lp.php?hID=188
Click on 'Supporting Documentation' to download the PDF file.