power steering on a 1973
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 272
Likes: 6
power steering on a 1973
I am wondering if I can disconnect the power steering from my 1973 stingray and still be able to turn the wheel. I hab a 68 without PS and it drove just fine.
Why you might wonder would I want to do that? I have been fighting leaks for the last several years an am struggling with the constant mess. .
Can I take it out and still be drive it ?
Thanks,
Steve
Why you might wonder would I want to do that? I have been fighting leaks for the last several years an am struggling with the constant mess. .
Can I take it out and still be drive it ?
Thanks,
Steve
Just another Corvette guy
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,518
Likes: 3,865
From: Palm Springs, CA.
No, it will not steer like a regular non PS car. The steering box is completely different and meant to be used with hydraulic assist. If you just disconnect the hoses and try to drive the car the steering will be extremely difficult and dangerous. If you really intend to delete the power steering you will have to change to a manual steering box.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,427
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From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Corvettes use the same steering box for power or non-power steering.
Just remove the fan belt and see if you like it or not.
Just remove the fan belt and see if you like it or not.
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: MA
[QUOTE=Peterbuilt;1597105600]Corvettes use the same steering box for power or non-power steering.
Just remove the fan belt and see if you like it or not.[/QUOT
E]The outer tie rod ends go in a different hole, It will be very hard to steer
Just remove the fan belt and see if you like it or not.[/QUOT
E]The outer tie rod ends go in a different hole, It will be very hard to steer
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,152
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Not true on a C3. It uses steering assist and not power steering. The only difference may be if a previous owner used the fast hole in the linkage and you may want to set it back to the slow hole. I would remove the steering assist cylinders so not trying to push fluid too.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 9,063
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2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
The steering box IS the same box,....but if you leave the power control valve connected, without hydraulic pressure, I believe there will be a huge amount of excessive play. I don't believe you can just remove the power steering pump belt and think it will operate like a factory manual steering car.
By the way, I converted my 77 factory power steering to factory 76 and earlier manual NON power steering, and the car drives incredible. It drives like a sports car should, with fantastic road feedback and very tight steering. It changed the steering from sloppy and scary steering to a fantastic sporty feel. Anything over 10 mph, you can drive with a finger, but at parking lot speeds, and maneuvering, it does take some physical effort, but its a minor inconvenience. It made the car fun to drive.
By the way, I converted my 77 factory power steering to factory 76 and earlier manual NON power steering, and the car drives incredible. It drives like a sports car should, with fantastic road feedback and very tight steering. It changed the steering from sloppy and scary steering to a fantastic sporty feel. Anything over 10 mph, you can drive with a finger, but at parking lot speeds, and maneuvering, it does take some physical effort, but its a minor inconvenience. It made the car fun to drive.
Last edited by Shovels and Vettes; Apr 30, 2018 at 06:07 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
To agree and also confirm that the gear boxes are the same. The gear box is not specifically made or non-power steering or power steering. They are all the same in that regards.
YES...moving the tie rod ends to the outer holes of the spindle arms will greatly help and reduce steering effort. THIS will also require getting the toe setting corrected at an alignment shop.
I can not confirm or deny if the effort will increase IF the power steering system is left intact and the fluid is being moved in and out of the power steering cylinder. I can visualize it and being highly plausible.
If you have a leak...eventually the fluid will all leak out and you will be not moving much of anything...depending on where your fluid leak is currently.
DUB
YES...moving the tie rod ends to the outer holes of the spindle arms will greatly help and reduce steering effort. THIS will also require getting the toe setting corrected at an alignment shop.
I can not confirm or deny if the effort will increase IF the power steering system is left intact and the fluid is being moved in and out of the power steering cylinder. I can visualize it and being highly plausible.
If you have a leak...eventually the fluid will all leak out and you will be not moving much of anything...depending on where your fluid leak is currently.
DUB
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
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From: Napa Valley California
My 73's power steering leaked when I bought it two years ago, I repaired it and it's starting to leak again. As part of my body off resto/mod I'm removing all the OEM power steering components and going with a borgensen box that eliminates the slave cylinder and two hydraulic lines under the car.
The borgenson box is supposed to be a big improvement over the OEM steering and I haven't seen any threads from people who have converted over to having any leak issues after converting over.
The borgenson box is supposed to be a big improvement over the OEM steering and I haven't seen any threads from people who have converted over to having any leak issues after converting over.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Charlotte NC
I do know for a fact that IF you have power steering and put your tie rod end in the outer hole...you will regret it. The steering is so hyper- sensitive that it is about impossible to steer safely.
IF you have manual steering...the outer hole provided more leverage and make steering not so hard.
So changing the position of your outer tie rod end is to aid in the amount of effort you will need to use to turn the wheel. Or leave it and see if it is good enough for you.
DUB