power steering control valve
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
That's a really good question. Normally, vehicle engineering organizations put lots of effort into making such a component "fair-safe"; so my belief is that a control valve failure would be "hazardous" but probably would not cause you to lose complete control of the steering.
However, the real expert on the C3 steering systems is Jim_Shea, who worked for Saginaw Steering in that era.
However, the real expert on the C3 steering systems is Jim_Shea, who worked for Saginaw Steering in that era.
Last edited by 7T1vette; Jul 6, 2017 at 12:06 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,690
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Lets look at this a little differently. Has anyone in a C3 ever had it stall, thus robbing the control valve of power? If so, did they slam into the first lamp post that they saw?
The piston will move in the steering cylinder with force from the steering wheel. Just isn't very pleasant.
The piston will move in the steering cylinder with force from the steering wheel. Just isn't very pleasant.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,753
From: Charlotte NC
I seriously doubt that it could fail to the point where you could not take control and still be able to steer the vehicle.
And that is assuming that the 'extend' and 'retract' hoses are CORRECTLY installed as designed,
I do know that even if the control valve is not 'balanced'...it may cause the car to steer to the left or right while driving..but not so much that you could not hold the steering wheel and maintain some control and be able to stop the car.
I have to agree with '7T1vette'..there are built in safety factors.
The ONLY time I have seen the steering wheel spin violently in one direction is when my ex-partner connected the 'extend' and 'retract' hoses incorrectly..and when the engine was cranked up...the steering wheel took off in one direction. THANK GOD when he cranked it...he did not have his arm going through the spokes of the steering wheel...because it could have LITERALLY ripped his arm off it was so violent. BUT...as I wrote...THAT was because the hoses WERE NOT installed as designed.
DUB
And that is assuming that the 'extend' and 'retract' hoses are CORRECTLY installed as designed,
I do know that even if the control valve is not 'balanced'...it may cause the car to steer to the left or right while driving..but not so much that you could not hold the steering wheel and maintain some control and be able to stop the car.
I have to agree with '7T1vette'..there are built in safety factors.
The ONLY time I have seen the steering wheel spin violently in one direction is when my ex-partner connected the 'extend' and 'retract' hoses incorrectly..and when the engine was cranked up...the steering wheel took off in one direction. THANK GOD when he cranked it...he did not have his arm going through the spokes of the steering wheel...because it could have LITERALLY ripped his arm off it was so violent. BUT...as I wrote...THAT was because the hoses WERE NOT installed as designed.
DUB
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,569
Likes: 126
From: San Diego California
Joe,
I too believe this disastrous scenario would be virtually impossible. For if it were, I believe we would have witnessed one of the greatest automotive engineering mess-ups of all time (apologies to the Corvair), with fatal accidents all over the place.
Steve
I too believe this disastrous scenario would be virtually impossible. For if it were, I believe we would have witnessed one of the greatest automotive engineering mess-ups of all time (apologies to the Corvair), with fatal accidents all over the place.
Steve
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,114
Likes: 597
Driving my car at the race track and starting into a right hand corner @ 65 MPH as I continued into the corner all of a sudden the car steers to the right, I was forced to adjust to the left, the cars back end starts to come around. Next corner left hand turn no problem, next right hand turn same result. As I get to a point where the imbalance starts.
I Drive into the pits and check the steering. Standing still and steer to the right I got to a point where extra force turning right is applied.
After adjusting the control value balance everything is normal again.
So I am not sure how this part of the control value is designed, but if extra fluid is routed incorrectly it may be enough force that the driver may not be able to counter steer.
So I guess its the unexpected result which could allow the driver to lose control, but it depends on where and how fast you are driving.
Last edited by cagotzmann; Jul 8, 2017 at 08:37 AM.
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