Power steering 77 c3.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Power steering 77 c3.
My power steering is WAY too light to the touch. The car is all over the road. I bought the car a few years ago and know that the engine has been replaced. I'm wondering if the PS pump pulley is the wrong size or if there are oreffices missing from the fluid circuit. Any suggestions or info on what to check would be appreciated.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,705
Likes: 2,573
is the steering too light to the touch or do you have too much free play in the steering?
when is the last time you had tie rods, idler arm, etc checked for wear?
with the engine off, window open, hood open, very gently move the steering wheel back and forth while observing the steering shaft going down to the box.
do you see any play in the rag joint?
have you ever adjusted the steering box?
when is the last time you had tie rods, idler arm, etc checked for wear?
with the engine off, window open, hood open, very gently move the steering wheel back and forth while observing the steering shaft going down to the box.
do you see any play in the rag joint?
have you ever adjusted the steering box?
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
I've never adjusted the steering box. I did replace and adjust the steering control valve, replaced rag joint, rebuilt the cylinder,replaced two tie rod ends and all sway bar bushings The steering is so sensitive that if I were to sneeze the car would go off the road. Dangerous to drive.
Last edited by akimoto46; Feb 12, 2017 at 01:53 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 831
Likes: 54
From: Arlington TX
I've never adjusted the steering box. I did replace and adjust the steering control valve, replaced rag joint, rebuilt the cylinder,replaced two tie rod ends and all sway bar bushings The steering is so sensitive that if I were to sneeze the car would go off the road. Dangerous to drive.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,753
From: Charlotte NC
I do know that where your outer tie-rods go onto the spindle assemblies...GM offered two holes for them. IF you arms on the spindle assemblies have two holes for the outer tie rods ends...you need to make sure they are installed in the INNER holes...NOT....repeat NOT the outer hole.. If your arm only has one hole...which I do know GM did at some point... due to every car that had power steering....then do not worry about it.
And if that is the case..I would also agree that it has to do with your alignment.
DUB
And if that is the case..I would also agree that it has to do with your alignment.
DUB
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
I do know that where your outer tie-rods go onto the spindle assemblies...GM offered two holes for them. IF you arms on the spindle assemblies have two holes for the outer tie rods ends...you need to make sure they are installed in the INNER holes...NOT....repeat NOT the outer hole.. If your arm only has one hole...which I do know GM did at some point... due to every car that had power steering....then do not worry about it.
And if that is the case..I would also agree that it has to do with your alignment.
DUB
And if that is the case..I would also agree that it has to do with your alignment.
DUB
GUSTO
Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,097
Likes: 4,027
From: New Braunfels Texas
Have it done professionally, set it and forget it......you will be amazed how well the car will drive afterward.
Jebby
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,284
Likes: 1,171
From: Hermosa
I had the same problem with my 77 corvette before I rebuilt the power steering control valve. Might not have been as bad as yours but the steering was pretty sensitive. I figured it was just the way is was. I ran the front tire pressure around 25 psi to make it less sensitive, but that was no long term fix.
When I rebuilt the power steering control valve, inside there was the main control valve (piston) and then there was a smaller one inside the main one that had a spring inside so that input pressure was somewhat dampened to the main control piston.
That smaller piston was siezed inside the larger one. This eliminated the dampening effect of the hydraulic pressure to the control piston.
It is my belief that this is how it works as I have not read anywhere that this is actually the case.
I assume it to be true since after the rebuild the over sensitivty was gone.
You may have to rebuild the control valve.
For some reason my pics won't load so here is a link to the thread.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ld-kits-2.html
When I rebuilt the power steering control valve, inside there was the main control valve (piston) and then there was a smaller one inside the main one that had a spring inside so that input pressure was somewhat dampened to the main control piston.
That smaller piston was siezed inside the larger one. This eliminated the dampening effect of the hydraulic pressure to the control piston.
It is my belief that this is how it works as I have not read anywhere that this is actually the case.
I assume it to be true since after the rebuild the over sensitivty was gone.
You may have to rebuild the control valve.
For some reason my pics won't load so here is a link to the thread.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ld-kits-2.html
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,705
Likes: 2,573
Steering play
I've never adjusted the steering box. I did replace and adjust the steering control valve, replaced rag joint, rebuilt the cylinder,replaced two tie rod ends and all sway bar bushings The steering is so sensitive that if I were to sneeze the car would go off the road. Dangerous to drive.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 831
Likes: 54
From: Arlington TX
Make sure they use the Hunter unit. Otherwise, the string method can be just as good as any other. And it's more fun. Just my opinion though from my own experience.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,753
From: Charlotte NC
I knew it was around that time period but not exactly certain.
And what I have seen...just because it was facotry that way...someone in the past could have swapped out parts from an earlier year....that we ALL know happens when we get into cars we do not know the entire history about.
I am sure the alignment will fix this issue.
DUB