Difficult Power Steering (78)
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 27
Likes: 1
Difficult Power Steering (78)
My wife's '78 power steering seems quite difficult to turn, when moving very slowly or sitting still. It isn't as hard as standard (non-power) steering, but can be described as somewhere in-between power and non-power. Was wondering if the steering box is at the point of needing rebuild, but have been advised that it may also be a power steering pump valve in need of adjustment. That advice also recommended that the Steering Guru, Mr. Shea, hangs out around here and may offer guidance.
Y'all seen him walking the Forum Halls - perhaps hanging about the water cooler
?
Thanks,
CJ
Y'all seen him walking the Forum Halls - perhaps hanging about the water cooler
?Thanks,
CJ
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 27
Likes: 1
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 439
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
Keep in mind that these Vettes have "power steering assist" and not power steering as we know it. Are you guys new to the car or have you had it for some time and notice more effort is required to turn the wheel than in the past?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 27
Likes: 1
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 439
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
Sounds to me like a good reason to pick up another Vette, but your wife may have other ideas. Seriously, try to find another Vette to test drive before you delve into a problem that you may not have. My guess is the system is okay when you say it feels like something between power steering and std. steering.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 844
Likes: 6
From: Fort Wayne, IN
My guess is a leaky power steering control valve. Might need rebuilding.
It's the cylinder that the hoses go into in this picture....this is taken from the driver's side front tire (turned all the way to the right)
(I'm missing the dust cap on the end of mine)
It's the cylinder that the hoses go into in this picture....this is taken from the driver's side front tire (turned all the way to the right)
(I'm missing the dust cap on the end of mine)
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 27
Likes: 1
Sounds to me like a good reason to pick up another Vette, but your wife may have other ideas. Seriously, try to find another Vette to test drive before you delve into a problem that you may not have. My guess is the system is okay when you say it feels like something between power steering and std. steering.
I've seen a couple C3's roaming around my neighborhood. Maybe I can catch one and strike a deal.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 439
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
Actually my '76 has been sold. Otherwise u could come up and check the steering. I'd be happy to look at yours though. Let me know.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 4
From: Regina Saskatchewan
I recently reduced my pressure in power steering pump from the factory 1200 psi to 850 psi by adding additional 'washers' or 'shims' to the single factory washer found on the pump valve in the power steering pump. If you remove this single washer / shim you would bump the power steering pressure from 1200 psi to 1500 psi. Should give you an easy 25% more.
I was able to do this mod by jacking the car up , wrenching off the high pressure hose (let the power steering fluid drain) , use a socket to get the fitting off of the pump, and then use a magnet to pull the valve out.
This guy does it shows how to access the valve WITH the pump out of the car , but you don't need to.
I was able to do this mod by jacking the car up , wrenching off the high pressure hose (let the power steering fluid drain) , use a socket to get the fitting off of the pump, and then use a magnet to pull the valve out.
This guy does it shows how to access the valve WITH the pump out of the car , but you don't need to.