Power steering control valve issues after install
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
I think there is some part of that system that is contacting another part when the wheel is turned that direction. The system wouldn't sound like it was going to 'full left' unless it was binding up for another reason. Those parts are all very close together as the steering system operates. If something is not positioned correctly, there will be part interference.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 345
Likes: 0
From: ny
Yes it now has a 6 quart pan on it. I am unsure what a PS pitman arm is. Yes I am sure the valve is adjusted correctly. I am picking up the new goodyear belt I ordered in an hour. I will put it on tonight and take some photos of under the car I don't have someone (yet) to turn the wheel while I stand under the car to check for interference.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 65
From: Wauconda IL
Yes it now has a 6 quart pan on it. I am unsure what a PS pitman arm is. Yes I am sure the valve is adjusted correctly. I am picking up the new goodyear belt I ordered in an hour. I will put it on tonight and take some photos of under the car I don't have someone (yet) to turn the wheel while I stand under the car to check for interference.
Ram is probably hitting the pan.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 345
Likes: 0
From: ny
I think you are right!
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...-steering.html
Ugh! I bet that is what I discover when I turn the wheel to the left when I get home from work! I paid good money for that damn new 6 quart pan too, and the dip stick, and the internal extended tube ugh!!
starting a thread about oil pans and tubes after I do some research.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...-steering.html
Ugh! I bet that is what I discover when I turn the wheel to the left when I get home from work! I paid good money for that damn new 6 quart pan too, and the dip stick, and the internal extended tube ugh!!
starting a thread about oil pans and tubes after I do some research.
Last edited by arcticcatmatt; Jun 5, 2012 at 01:26 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 345
Likes: 0
From: ny
Ok I took some pictures. It appears that my ram is not hitting my oil pan. In these pictures my wheels are straight. I just tried to turn the wheel left and it squealed bad as usual. Nothing is interfering and my ram is still leaking ugh! The top hose is tightened up all the way and still leaking. I circled it. I don't know what to do. I got a new belt, I will put it on tomorrow night.
Please ignore my stainless headers being covered in mud.. I haven't cleaned them yet
Please ignore my stainless headers being covered in mud.. I haven't cleaned them yet
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,126
Likes: 15
Is that the way your ram shaft is hooked to the bracket on the drivers side of the car or is that temporary or something? That is not correct. Should be a washer that locks the ram shaft to that bracket. Shaft should not move in bracket except what the rubber bushings allow. I will get you a pic.. mike...
Center hole in ram side washer is small enough to slide on threaded end of shaft but will rest on larger edge just past the threaded end.
Center hole in ram side washer is small enough to slide on threaded end of shaft but will rest on larger edge just past the threaded end.
Last edited by mds3013; Jun 5, 2012 at 07:52 PM.
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
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,272
Likes: 17
you know, thats probly the problem, that end of the shaft is 'sposed to be stationary , you have your push bushing on the wrong side of the mount, excellent eye
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 345
Likes: 0
From: ny
I figured that install was messed up! Thats how I got it back from the 'shop' so thats how I put it back together. You have that big metal push washer on both sides. I only have one. Apparently they lost one. I wonder if I can get one at Napa or something. I wonder if thats why I can't turn left. I did tighten up the leak spot with a flare wrench.. its tightened up all the way as you can see in the picture. Its like the flare isn't making a seal inside and the fluid is coming out thru the middle of the nut.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,126
Likes: 15
I figured that install was messed up! Thats how I got it back from the 'shop' so thats how I put it back together. You have that big metal push washer on both sides. I only have one. Apparently they lost one. I wonder if I can get one at Napa or something. I wonder if thats why I can't turn left. I did tighten up the leak spot with a flare wrench.. its tightened up all the way as you can see in the picture. Its like the flare isn't making a seal inside and the fluid is coming out thru the middle of the nut.
Remove the line and inspect the flare on line and seat in ram. Both must be free of defects in order to seal. In some applications the seat is a seperate pressed in piece. Be sure it is in there. Use sand paper to smooth out any defects. Apply anti-sieze to the threads and outside of "pipe" to help it tighten up smoothly. The washers are cupped and a specific size. Vendors have them and you need some new cushions also. I will get link. Good luck with it. mike...
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1963-1982.html
Last edited by mds3013; Jun 5, 2012 at 08:07 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,272
Likes: 17
not the metal push washer, there is a sleeve on the shaft, that on yours is on the outside of the mount, it needs to be on the inside of the mount, you have enough big washers , just move that sleeve to the inside. excellent tech on this thread, respectfully, bob
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 65
From: Wauconda IL
Your 6qt pan is aftermarket so it looks like it has room for the ram (OEM Corvette 6 qt pan does not).
Did they replace the ram? If they did, replace it again as the seat for that leaking line is either trashed or non-existent.
It appears that you have the line screwed all the way in (threads bottomed out) and it still leaks? Not much else you can do with this.
Looks like you also need to find a new shop- This is about as basic of a repair as it gets and they blew it BIG time!
You could have gotten yourself into an accident driving the car in this condition.
Did they replace the ram? If they did, replace it again as the seat for that leaking line is either trashed or non-existent.
It appears that you have the line screwed all the way in (threads bottomed out) and it still leaks? Not much else you can do with this.
Looks like you also need to find a new shop- This is about as basic of a repair as it gets and they blew it BIG time!
You could have gotten yourself into an accident driving the car in this condition.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 119
From: Springfield Missouri
See how a few little pictures will help solve the problem???
Start taking before & after pictures, or, BETTER yet, start doing the repairs yourself and get the AIM or some repair books to help. Join a corvette club and ask questions with members who do their own work, or ask who to have work on the corvettes who know what they are doing. I think a 5 yr old could of done better that what the picture show here!
Are you taking this back to shop and having them replace the defective they messed up and show them how it should be done right? They could of killed you or someone else because of the way they did this repair, take them to small claims court if they don't fix it right the second time!!!
Last edited by lvmyvt76; Jun 6, 2012 at 09:23 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
It may just be the orientation of the photo, but it looks to me like the leaking fitting is ****-eyed and cross-threaded in that ram. If so, the ram is now junk, as it will never seal with that condition....damage has been done to the seat. I hope it just 'appears' that way, but you need to check it out.
Drop the "mechanic". That title is misapplied to that person...
Drop the "mechanic". That title is misapplied to that person...
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 345
Likes: 0
From: ny
I will take the ram off tonight and see what is going on in there.
Just ordered a 'cylinder boot' as I see that is also missing.. and ordered this kit from here.. thanks for the tips!
https://www.cssbinc.com/power-steering-shaft-kit.aspx
The only reason a mechanic touched my car was I am too busy. I do all my own work on my lift in my garage. I had this guy take the motor out and I had it rebuilt/upgraded and he put it back in. While at it, he told me the steering was leaking and he wanted to fix it while the motor was out. He didn't charge me to put these parts on.
I drove the car 150 miles assembled like this.. and once at a high rate of speed LOL
Oh and the fittings are not crossthreaded.. I put them in 1/2 way by hand before the flare wrench. I will take it apart after work and take a photo of the problem area and see if I can figure it out
Just ordered a 'cylinder boot' as I see that is also missing.. and ordered this kit from here.. thanks for the tips!
https://www.cssbinc.com/power-steering-shaft-kit.aspx
The only reason a mechanic touched my car was I am too busy. I do all my own work on my lift in my garage. I had this guy take the motor out and I had it rebuilt/upgraded and he put it back in. While at it, he told me the steering was leaking and he wanted to fix it while the motor was out. He didn't charge me to put these parts on.
I drove the car 150 miles assembled like this.. and once at a high rate of speed LOL
Oh and the fittings are not crossthreaded.. I put them in 1/2 way by hand before the flare wrench. I will take it apart after work and take a photo of the problem area and see if I can figure it out
Last edited by arcticcatmatt; Jun 6, 2012 at 10:18 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 345
Likes: 0
From: ny
^ haha nope. He just changed it in/out for me... Broke my temp gage wire in the process and put a temp gage on top of my blower temp while I figure out what I need to order to fix my temp gage in my dash 
Still haven't figured that out.
Still haven't figured that out.