Steering Box Adjustment
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
Re: Steering Box Adjustment (lbell101)
Are you talking about a Corvette with power steering? If so, the steering gear is the same regardless if you have manual or power steering in a C3 Corvette. The power assist is regulated at the control valve and the assist is added to the system through the ram (aka assist cylinder). The gear remains the same.
If you are talking about a Saginaw recirculating ball, integral power steering gear, there are adjustments at the input shaft and also at the pitman shaft. These type power gears have been used throughout GM on cars and trucks for 40 years (everywhere except C2 and C3 Vettes). It has recently been superceded by rack and pinion steering.
This integral power gear is a bit more complicated to adjust because the input shaft also is part of the rotary control valve. When you try to adjust the bearing preload, you also feel the torsion bar which is part of the rotary valve. It is definately more difficult to adjust correctly.
If you are talking about a Saginaw recirculating ball, integral power steering gear, there are adjustments at the input shaft and also at the pitman shaft. These type power gears have been used throughout GM on cars and trucks for 40 years (everywhere except C2 and C3 Vettes). It has recently been superceded by rack and pinion steering.
This integral power gear is a bit more complicated to adjust because the input shaft also is part of the rotary control valve. When you try to adjust the bearing preload, you also feel the torsion bar which is part of the rotary valve. It is definately more difficult to adjust correctly.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,214
Likes: 0
From: Casa Grande AZ
Re: Steering Box Adjustment (Jim Shea)
Hey Jim!
Thanks!
Yep - I'm talking about the Vette. The worm gear adjustment looked good with no percieveable in/out play. However, the steering still had some play in it but at the same time the wheel won't recenter totally by itself.
Everything is new under there so I adjusted the pitman. I can get much less sloppy steering. But no matter how much I loosen the adjustment (make more sloppy) it just won't return the steering wheel correctly.
So... what else besides the steering box could cause the wheel not to return?
Cylinder, valve??
Thanks!
Thanks!
Yep - I'm talking about the Vette. The worm gear adjustment looked good with no percieveable in/out play. However, the steering still had some play in it but at the same time the wheel won't recenter totally by itself.
Everything is new under there so I adjusted the pitman. I can get much less sloppy steering. But no matter how much I loosen the adjustment (make more sloppy) it just won't return the steering wheel correctly.
So... what else besides the steering box could cause the wheel not to return?
Cylinder, valve??
Thanks!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 813
Likes: 2
From: da up
Re: Steering Box Adjustment (lbell101)
Hi Larry.
If the steering turns easy, no binding. Have the caster checked
it may need more caster.
Dan just did my 64 . much better now. Rear camber was way off, was a touch hairy if you floored it and did a lane change.
rod
[Modified by yooperod, 7:34 PM 5/23/2002]
If the steering turns easy, no binding. Have the caster checked
it may need more caster.
Dan just did my 64 . much better now. Rear camber was way off, was a touch hairy if you floored it and did a lane change.
rod
[Modified by yooperod, 7:34 PM 5/23/2002]
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,214
Likes: 0
From: Casa Grande AZ
Re: Steering Box Adjustment (yooperod)
Thanks Rod!
I was kinda thinking it might be an alignment problem too.
I stopped and made an appointment with Dan but our schedules don't jive until June 17th. I've tried to align them myself but I don't trust myself.
I think I'll do all the checks and adjustments on the steering box and valve and then wait for the alignment.
I think I may have the same problem you had with the rear on my 71. hopefully he can take care of that one too.
I was kinda thinking it might be an alignment problem too.
I stopped and made an appointment with Dan but our schedules don't jive until June 17th. I've tried to align them myself but I don't trust myself.
I think I'll do all the checks and adjustments on the steering box and valve and then wait for the alignment.
I think I may have the same problem you had with the rear on my 71. hopefully he can take care of that one too.
