Steering Wheel Doesn't Return To Centre
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 148
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From: Chatham Ontario
Steering Wheel Doesn't Return To Centre
I have a 1980, and whenever I go around a corner, if I just let go of the steering wheel, it does not return to centre. My question is, do I look for the problem to be in my control valve, the cylinder, or the power steering pump? Any help is appreciated.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,185
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From: New Wilmington PA
Re: Steering Wheel Doesn't Return To Centre (RonnyV1980)
Sounds like it could be any of the items you mentioned but I'm not entirely clear on the problem.
If you jack the front of the car up enough to get the front wheels off the ground, start the car and the wheels deflect to one side or the other it's probably the control valve.
I'm not too sure on the rest of the system. Hopefully somebody else will chime in.
:cheers:
If you jack the front of the car up enough to get the front wheels off the ground, start the car and the wheels deflect to one side or the other it's probably the control valve.
I'm not too sure on the rest of the system. Hopefully somebody else will chime in.
:cheers:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Re: Steering Wheel Doesn't Return To Centre (RonnyV1980)
When was the last time that you had the front and rear alignment checked? The alignment gives you the restoring forces for the system to return to center. You could also have a ball joint(s) that are old and sticking. Have you checked your tire pressures?
I don't see the pump giving you this problem. It could be in the control valve but I doubt it. As long as you don't have a bent rod on the assist cylinder, I doubt that it would contribute to high friction.
Has anyone been playing with the adjustments on the gear lately? You can definately affect returnability if the gear is overadjusted. (You can also ruin the gear if it is adjusted too tight! For the most part, as the gear gets older the gear gets looser and the friction goes down not up.
Some ideas.
I don't see the pump giving you this problem. It could be in the control valve but I doubt it. As long as you don't have a bent rod on the assist cylinder, I doubt that it would contribute to high friction.
Has anyone been playing with the adjustments on the gear lately? You can definately affect returnability if the gear is overadjusted. (You can also ruin the gear if it is adjusted too tight! For the most part, as the gear gets older the gear gets looser and the friction goes down not up.
Some ideas.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 5,635
Likes: 4
From: Orlando Floriduh
Re: Steering Wheel Doesn't Return To Centre (Jim Shea)
I don't know when the gear box changed but they are not all adjustable on top. Anyway if there is an adjustment lock nut and screw, you can adjust it. However... if it is too ight then is when it won't return to center. So if it was ok and just got that way, I doubt that will help. The problem you are having could be from incorrect castor setting.
[Modified by silvervetteman, 7:32 AM 7/14/2002]
[Modified by silvervetteman, 7:32 AM 7/14/2002]
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 98
From: Ontario
Re: Steering Wheel Doesn't Return To Centre (Jim Shea)
Jim,
You are raining on my parade ;) . Just when I thought things were right. New Muskegon Brake front end kit, four-wheel alignment, tire wear is normal, tracks straight and true, no slop at all at the steering wheel. But it is a little stiff to return to centre after a turn. Not really tight mind you but it needs a little help. I did adjust the gearbox. Perhaps it is a wee bit tight. Or possibly I overfilled the box last autumn when I found it was basically dry. Any thoughts on this?
You are raining on my parade ;) . Just when I thought things were right. New Muskegon Brake front end kit, four-wheel alignment, tire wear is normal, tracks straight and true, no slop at all at the steering wheel. But it is a little stiff to return to centre after a turn. Not really tight mind you but it needs a little help. I did adjust the gearbox. Perhaps it is a wee bit tight. Or possibly I overfilled the box last autumn when I found it was basically dry. Any thoughts on this?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 5,635
Likes: 4
From: Orlando Floriduh
Re: Steering Wheel Doesn't Return To Centre (paul79)
Oh!! You did adjust the steering gear.. It is Very touchy.. Back it up Just a tiny bit at a time and then drive it. There must be a very small amout of backlash or you will damage the sector gear in a short time.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 98
From: Ontario
Re: Steering Wheel Doesn't Return To Centre (silvervetteman)
I played with the adjustment last autumn and thought I had it right. It may be off by a Maxwell Smart - Missed by that much! There is a bit of play, perhaps a quarter inch. It does return to about 3/4 of full. The last 1/4 is manual and may be those 255s and the way the alignment was set up*. The alignment fellow (30 years of Chev experience) set it up to track cleanly and not to wander. It sure does not! I can take my hands off the wheel at 60mph and it just moves down the road straight as an arrow. I am reluctant to fool with success if that is indeed what I have.
*I can post the alignment specs if that would be helpful.
*I can post the alignment specs if that would be helpful.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Re: Steering Wheel Doesn't Return To Centre (paul79)
Take a look at my paper entitled Manual Gear Adjustment - (in vehicle) along with the two Pics posted at corvettefaq.com. This will help determine if the gear is too tight.
The Chevrolet shop manual recommends the following alignment specs:
Caster +2 1/4 degrees +/- 1/2 degree
Camber +3/4 degree +/- 1/2 degree
Toe-in (total) 3/16 to 5/16 inch
Caster and Camber must be within 1/2 degree of opposite side.
The latest Vette Brake Products catalogue states that the following specs are best for all steel radial tires:
Caster +2 3/4 degrees +/- 1/2 degree
Camber 0 degree +1/4 -0 degree
Toe-in 1/32 inch +/-1/32
Paul,
Overfilling the manual gear with grease can have some affect on returnability. You really need some air space inside the gear for the grease to move around. You don't want to be squishing grease back and forth with the rack and sector as you turn right and left.
[Modified by Jim Shea, 3:29 PM 7/14/2002]
The Chevrolet shop manual recommends the following alignment specs:
Caster +2 1/4 degrees +/- 1/2 degree
Camber +3/4 degree +/- 1/2 degree
Toe-in (total) 3/16 to 5/16 inch
Caster and Camber must be within 1/2 degree of opposite side.
The latest Vette Brake Products catalogue states that the following specs are best for all steel radial tires:
Caster +2 3/4 degrees +/- 1/2 degree
Camber 0 degree +1/4 -0 degree
Toe-in 1/32 inch +/-1/32
Paul,
Overfilling the manual gear with grease can have some affect on returnability. You really need some air space inside the gear for the grease to move around. You don't want to be squishing grease back and forth with the rack and sector as you turn right and left.
[Modified by Jim Shea, 3:29 PM 7/14/2002]
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Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
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From: Ontario
Re: Steering Wheel Doesn't Return To Centre (Jim Shea)
Thanks Jim. I make suck a bit of the Lube out with a plastic tube. I do not have any problems with the box but I may have gone to extremes: bone-dry to too much grease.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 148
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From: Chatham Ontario
Re: Steering Wheel Doesn't Return To Centre (RonnyV1980)
Lots of ideas I see. Hopfully, this will help. The ball joints, (lower) are new. Mechanic says uppers have no play. Wheel bearings are also good. There has been no work done to the steering box. The rag joint doesn't look too good any more. What I am experiencing is a total lack of steering wheel movement back to center after making a right or left turn. If you don't bring the wheel back you will go in a circle. This can't be right, as even my old van will go straighten out if you take your hands of the wheel. What should I start with in trying to track this down?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,214
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From: Casa Grande AZ
Re: Steering Wheel Doesn't Return To Centre (RonnyV1980)
I don't think anyone will disagree that getting an alignment at a GREAT alignment shop is your first try.
I'd replace that rag joint if it looks bad too - just because.
If the alignment doesn't work then I'd say it's on to the gear box.
BTW - my car does the same thing. The alignment improved in alot but I'm going to get a gear box rebuild kit shortly. Mine has quite a bit of play as well but adjustments have been futile.
I'd replace that rag joint if it looks bad too - just because.
If the alignment doesn't work then I'd say it's on to the gear box.
BTW - my car does the same thing. The alignment improved in alot but I'm going to get a gear box rebuild kit shortly. Mine has quite a bit of play as well but adjustments have been futile.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 148
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From: Chatham Ontario
Re: Steering Wheel Doesn't Return To Centre (lbell101)
Ok. Now how do you talk the alignment shop into doing just the front end? Everytime I get into one of those shops, they give me the same thing. It seems that they are trying to get more money out of me. They want to start in the rear, as this is how the front gets set up, from the rear according to the guys at the shop. All I want is the front end set up. Help.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,214
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From: Casa Grande AZ
Re: Steering Wheel Doesn't Return To Centre (RonnyV1980)
ReallY?
I've only found one shop that will do the rear align.
Just say, "I want a FE alignment only". Should be like 30 bucks.
Larry
I've only found one shop that will do the rear align.
Just say, "I want a FE alignment only". Should be like 30 bucks.
Larry
