Power Control Valve Ball Stud
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Usa
Power Control Valve Ball Stud
I took my 73 in today for a front end alignment and when the tech had it up on the alignment rack he ask me to look at the control valve ball stud while another tech moved the steering wheel back and forth. There was definetly some slop. I would guess about 1/4" overall. The control valve is a new unit not rebuilt from Lone Star and pobably has four or five thousand miles. Is this slop normal or is there a problem.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Usa
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
Yes, it matters, with the engine off, no pressure from the steering pump, the spring in the valve allows the ball stud to move. With the engine running, pump pressure is directed from the valve to the steering assist cylinder so it causes steering movement as the wheel is turned, much less detectable slop in the ball stud.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
The valve works off pressure applied to the ball stud, when you turn the wheels left or right the direction of hydraulic fluid and which side it comes from is controlled from the stud in the valve. Now in their defense, they probably don't know this and felt there was an issue. You have to always keep in mind that these younger techs don't understand the system... or for that matter the IRS on the rear...
Heck I had my old 62 aligned at our alignment shop last year and my guy Eddie had retired. I had to drive up there to show the kid how to remove the grease fitting, loosen the bolt and adjust the camber on the upper outer support.
Willcox
Heck I had my old 62 aligned at our alignment shop last year and my guy Eddie had retired. I had to drive up there to show the kid how to remove the grease fitting, loosen the bolt and adjust the camber on the upper outer support.
Willcox
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Feb 26, 2019 at 06:55 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Most C3 owners don't know that the ball stud has significant free-motion (slop) when not under pressure. Why should 'kids' who never worked on one know any different? I'm sure their training schools don't discuss C3 power steering systems.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 676
Likes: 36
From: Usa
The valve works off pressure applied to the ball stud, when you turn the wheels left or right the direction of hydraulic fluid and which side it comes from is controlled from the stud in the valve. Now in their defense, they probably don't know this and felt there was an issue. You have to always keep in mind that these younger techs don't understand the system... or for that matter the IRS on the rear...
Heck I had my old 62 aligned at our alignment shop last year and my guy Eddie had retired. I had to drive up there to show the kid how to remove the grease fitting, loosen the bolt and adjust the camber on the upper outer support.
Willcox
Heck I had my old 62 aligned at our alignment shop last year and my guy Eddie had retired. I had to drive up there to show the kid how to remove the grease fitting, loosen the bolt and adjust the camber on the upper outer support.
Willcox
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Honestly I can't believe that an alignment shop wouldn't know how to set the camber on a 62.... this suspenstion was used from 1953-1962 on corvettes and even older on passenger cars... How could a shop not know.... Yes.. I'll turn off the rant... I'll go to my corner of the round room and take a break now...
Ernie
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Mar 1, 2019 at 10:34 AM.
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 676
Likes: 36
From: Usa
Honestly I can't believe that an alignment shop wouldn't know how to set the camber on a 62.... this suspenstion was used from 1953-1962 on corvettes and even older on passenger cars... How could a shop not know.... Yes.. I'll turn off the rant... I'll go to my corner of the round room and take a break now...
Ernie
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Willcox