Newbie-Steering Question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 236
Likes: 4
From: Rocky Point North Carolina
Newbie-Steering Question
First I just want to say how great this forum is. I just recently purchased a 1970 Vette and thanks to all of you I think I bought a pretty good one, have been watching this forum for several months. My question about steering, I put my car up on a lift at work just to check it over good and found a good bit of play in the pitman arm at the stud in the p/s valve. Do I need to replace the pitman arm or the stud or both, I will rebuild the front end this winter but have some play in the steering and feel like this is where it is coming from. I'm sure many of you have been here before so I will heed any advice I get. I checked the rag joint and it seems ok. Thank all of you and I will post a picture of my Vette when I figure how to!!!
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,502
Likes: 0
From: Elyria Ohio
Re: Newbie-Steering Question (Bill 70Coupe)
Bill 70Couple
Welcome aboard :cheers: I can't help you with that Q. Steering is my weak point. Until I have to replace something on mine I won't know much about it. I am sure that some of the pro's will chime in. I have used some of the info in the archives to adjust the steering lash in my gear box. Though you might want to hunt around in there. Good Luck
Bob
Welcome aboard :cheers: I can't help you with that Q. Steering is my weak point. Until I have to replace something on mine I won't know much about it. I am sure that some of the pro's will chime in. I have used some of the info in the archives to adjust the steering lash in my gear box. Though you might want to hunt around in there. Good Luck
Bob
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Re: Newbie-Steering Question (Bill 70Coupe)
Bill, you mention a 'lift at work' so I take it you'r a mechanic of some sort, or at least mechanically smart....
so depending on what you want to do....replace all or most of the steering, or just go ahead a junkyard a 92 grand am rack and make/get made an adaptor block and lengthen the tie rod unions....you can have rack and pinion steering for maybe 200 bux plus some fabrication time....
or buy a kit for 1200 bux bolts in in about4 hours....
I advocate the r/pinion steering conversion...feels like another car....
GENE
so depending on what you want to do....replace all or most of the steering, or just go ahead a junkyard a 92 grand am rack and make/get made an adaptor block and lengthen the tie rod unions....you can have rack and pinion steering for maybe 200 bux plus some fabrication time....
or buy a kit for 1200 bux bolts in in about4 hours....
I advocate the r/pinion steering conversion...feels like another car....
GENE
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
Re: Newbie-Steering Question (Bill 70Coupe)
Your power steering control valve operates by a slight motion of the stud as it slides right or left inside the valve. With your engine off, this motion will be exaggerated. Unfortunately, I can't give you a precise dimension for good or bad. My feeling is that most control valves malfunction by leaking fluid rather than excessive motion.
You might also want to check your steering gear for lash.
There are a set of instructions on checking your gear for lash. Go to http://www.corvettefaq.com and look under Steering. The instructions are posted as Manual Gear Adjustment (in vehicle).
You should also check your flexible coupling for deterioration. The rubber coupling element could be worn out. If you find the rubber coupling disc to be torn, and/or you find wear marks on the stop pins that extend rearward from the gear toward the steering column, your flexible coupling might need to be replaced and your column adjusted to mate to the gear correctly. The following three papers posted at the above websight could also be of value:
Flex Coupling and Column Assembly Instructions (AIM Sheet)
Flex Coupling Installation Instructions
Flex Coupling Pics
Hope this helps
You might also want to check your steering gear for lash.
There are a set of instructions on checking your gear for lash. Go to http://www.corvettefaq.com and look under Steering. The instructions are posted as Manual Gear Adjustment (in vehicle).
You should also check your flexible coupling for deterioration. The rubber coupling element could be worn out. If you find the rubber coupling disc to be torn, and/or you find wear marks on the stop pins that extend rearward from the gear toward the steering column, your flexible coupling might need to be replaced and your column adjusted to mate to the gear correctly. The following three papers posted at the above websight could also be of value:
Flex Coupling and Column Assembly Instructions (AIM Sheet)
Flex Coupling Installation Instructions
Flex Coupling Pics
Hope this helps
