Power steering problem
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Joined: Nov 2011
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From: Scroggins Tx
Power steering problem
It's a 75 with a frame-off rebuild with all new or rebuilt steering components.Here is my problem and I hope I can accurately describe it.
When going straight the steering wheel is straight and the assist from left to right seems normal, but there seems to be a 5-10 degree of total free play and the car wants to wander left to right.
If I go into a long left or right turn the assist is normal, but once I get to a point to hold the wheel in one position I get the same 5-10 degree
of free play and the car does not want to stay on track.
I rebuilt the control valve and hyd cyl and I don't have any leaks. I cannot find any excessive play anywhere.
Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated. Also I don't have nor do I want to spend $750 for the aftermarket unit.
Thanks, Dave
When going straight the steering wheel is straight and the assist from left to right seems normal, but there seems to be a 5-10 degree of total free play and the car wants to wander left to right.
If I go into a long left or right turn the assist is normal, but once I get to a point to hold the wheel in one position I get the same 5-10 degree
of free play and the car does not want to stay on track.
I rebuilt the control valve and hyd cyl and I don't have any leaks. I cannot find any excessive play anywhere.
Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated. Also I don't have nor do I want to spend $750 for the aftermarket unit.
Thanks, Dave
Racer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 330
Likes: 44
From: Cincinnati Ohio
Did you "center" the power steering valve? There is an adjustment to center the assist. If you have play in the steering box there are two adjustments. The one on the top of the box takes up backlash. If it is excessive you may have to adjust the worm which is the big nut on the box.
Unk
Unk
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Joined: Nov 2011
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From: Scroggins Tx
After rebuild I did center the control valve. I jacked the wheels off the ground and turned the wheel lock to lock. I then adjusted the nut until I got it to center.
I did searches all afternoon and all said to get the aftermarket unit. I am sure it must be great, but I am also sure that when these cars left the factory they steered true. There must be a way to keep it original and still safe. Thanks.
Thanks for the suggestion about the steering box. I have not tried to adjust it.
I did searches all afternoon and all said to get the aftermarket unit. I am sure it must be great, but I am also sure that when these cars left the factory they steered true. There must be a way to keep it original and still safe. Thanks.
Thanks for the suggestion about the steering box. I have not tried to adjust it.
Last edited by oledave60; Aug 7, 2013 at 10:04 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
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From: North Easton Mass
There are a lot of variables in the Vette suspension. Your steering box is 38 years old so it may need a rebuild. The rear suspension can contribute to wandering also. You said you had a frame-off rebuild so that must have included the rear suspension. Maybe you just need a good 4 wheel alignment and a check of the steering box to get back on track.
Rick B.
Rick B.
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Joined: Nov 2011
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From: Scroggins Tx
I adjusted the lash on the steering box today and took it for another short test drive. It did change the feel of the assist, but there are still spots where it seems to go from assist (feed back) to no feed back, but it is better than it was.
On a positive note I got my insurance Monday, registration today and will get inspection tomorrow.
Overall it drives pretty good. I just think their must be some way to make the steering better.
I also have a 73 Camaro and it has the assist in the steering box as well as Nova and Chevells and it works perfect. I wonder why GM went with such a poor set-up for the Corvette?
Yes, it does need a four wheel alignment which may solve the wandering, but I don't think it will help the steering feedback. Thanks, Dave.
On a positive note I got my insurance Monday, registration today and will get inspection tomorrow.
Overall it drives pretty good. I just think their must be some way to make the steering better.
I also have a 73 Camaro and it has the assist in the steering box as well as Nova and Chevells and it works perfect. I wonder why GM went with such a poor set-up for the Corvette?
Yes, it does need a four wheel alignment which may solve the wandering, but I don't think it will help the steering feedback. Thanks, Dave.
Last edited by oledave60; Aug 8, 2013 at 09:26 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2013
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From: Cocoa FL
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 926
Likes: 2
From: Castle Rock CO
There are better ways to improve steering the conversion is to install a Rack and Pinion steering unit and a composite Mono Spring on these old cars.
For the day the Corvette was ahead of the times for saving weight in the car with rear suspension and mono spring. The Steering Control unit is the best they had to offer back in the old days. Hard to adjust but when you get it right provided better steering then the camaro and chevelles. When I had my steering system rebuilt I did not know about all the rear suspension parts needed for a 4 wheel alignment. So did not know to supply the extra parts. Mine still pulls right with no slop in the front steering. Now I have to rebuild the rear suspension and have a long list of parts to replace.
For the day the Corvette was ahead of the times for saving weight in the car with rear suspension and mono spring. The Steering Control unit is the best they had to offer back in the old days. Hard to adjust but when you get it right provided better steering then the camaro and chevelles. When I had my steering system rebuilt I did not know about all the rear suspension parts needed for a 4 wheel alignment. So did not know to supply the extra parts. Mine still pulls right with no slop in the front steering. Now I have to rebuild the rear suspension and have a long list of parts to replace.
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From: Scroggins Tx
My rear trailing arms, u-joints, bearings,seals and everything else back there have been rebuilt with new. I bought all the special tools and read all I could find and I think all it needs is an alinement. but I don't think that will fix the steering feed-back.
Anything high dollar, aftermarket at this point is out of the question.
Anything high dollar, aftermarket at this point is out of the question.
Last edited by oledave60; Aug 8, 2013 at 10:17 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 971
Likes: 45
From: Middlesex NJ
Check the ball stud cups and springs in relay rod. Many guys rebuild the valve but dont replace this stuff and it can really be worn. I rebult mine on my manual relay rod Not sure what parts are in the power steering valve for the ball stud.
Last edited by mysixtynine; Aug 9, 2013 at 10:16 AM.
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Joined: Nov 2011
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From: Scroggins Tx
It's been so long ago I really don't remember what I did to the control valve, but I do think that is where the problem is. I think there are two different kits for this and I think I got the cheaper one.
I'm going to take it back off and see if I can make it better. It is one of the few parts that can be removed without dismantling half the car to get to it.
I'm going to take it back off and see if I can make it better. It is one of the few parts that can be removed without dismantling half the car to get to it.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
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From: Crossville TN
Unless you left something out or misassembled the CV, I doubt that is your problem. However, there is a spiral coil spring that fits next to the ballstud retainer block. This is the 'damper' for the actuation of the unit when it senses a direction change. If that spring is very stiff, the sensitivity of the CV may be lacking, and you might feel that the assist action is "lagging" your steering movements a bit.
But, that should not give you a feel of "slop" at any stationary position of the wheel. Something could be binding inside the CV or there could be some 'loose' steering member in the linkage system somewhere.
Have you removed any accumulated wear from the steering box with the 'wear' adjustment on the top cover? If your steering box has many years of service and has not been adjusted, that could be where your 'slop' resides. But, that adjustment needs to be made properly or you can create binding conditions in the steering travel.
But, that should not give you a feel of "slop" at any stationary position of the wheel. Something could be binding inside the CV or there could be some 'loose' steering member in the linkage system somewhere.
Have you removed any accumulated wear from the steering box with the 'wear' adjustment on the top cover? If your steering box has many years of service and has not been adjusted, that could be where your 'slop' resides. But, that adjustment needs to be made properly or you can create binding conditions in the steering travel.