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My 72 Corvette pulls sharply to the right when you take your hands off the steering wheel. The car has new high performance disk brakes and shocks. The wheels have been properly aligned and balanced. The tires show no abnormal wear pattern. Obviously suspect the steering and suspension problem, but not sure where to start and how to identify the fault. Greatly appreciate any suggestions or thoughts AS ALWAYS!
There is an adjustment that you can make down at the power steering control valve to prevent the pull to the right or left. I’m not sure which way you turn the adjustment screw to make it go to the left to compensate for your pull. Someone else here on the forum can probably give you that info...... or you have a 50/50 chance of getting it right the first time. Good luck!
I just did a little research on the adjustment and thanks to the inter web, I have determined that if your car pulls right, you need to turn the adjustment nut on the control valve to the right. The control valve adjusting nut is a 7/16 nut located under a dust cap on the control valve. I would make 1/2 turn adjustments at a time and drive the car to see if that helps before turning the nut further. I have something similar happening to my 68 big block and am planning to correct it this coming spring.
The valve adjustment will likely fix your problem, but it is NOT necessary to disconnect anything. It is easiest, though, if you remove the DS front wheel:
The power steering VALVE has a screw adjustment in the end of it, and can be out of balance/bias by directing more assist toward the right or the left. To check it:
Jack up the front of the car, start the car with front wheels off the ground, rev the motor a bit, and see if your steering wheel and wheels turn magically to the right, or left. If they do drift either way, bias is out of adjustment.
Pull the front left wheel, pop the end cap off the steering valve with a screwdriver. Use a 7/16" (1/4" drive to fit between the lines) socket with extension, re-center and mark the top of the steering wheel with painters tape so you can see it turn, start the car and let idle, and adjust the bias. I turn it both directions until I find the two points where the pump will turn the wheels one way or the other (about 5/8 of a turn apart) and turn it back just over a 1/4 turn to the "middle".
After adjustment, mine drove like a different car. Tracks straight down the road and when I turn it no longer "dives" or darts one way or the other, and I'm not fighting the wheel. The steering is heavier and the front wheels felt well planted.
Thanks for the info, got several good suggestions which I will try when the weather improves!! I am sure the correction of the problem will be solved with your suggestion and the others, all centered around the Power Steering Control. Will let everyone know how it works out. Thanks again!!!
I just went through this last fall. Remove dust cap. adjust it slightl, take it for a driive and bring wrench with you. I was able to reach under the car and a adjust it while in a parking lot and my vette is lowered. I adjusted mine twice ,now is perfect. drive her home and put the dust cap back on. Good Luck
Pulls Sharply To Right
