Power steering cylinder
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 170
Likes: 8
From: Bastrop Texas
Power steering cylinder
What is the function of the power steering cylinder? How does it affect steering? I've just been informed the one on my 1976 is bent, and I'm wondering if this is what has caused my steering to be too sensitive which makes it rather hairy especially the faster you go. I'm having it replaced in a few days so I will find out if this was the source of my steering problem.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
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That is the component that assits you when turning the wheel. You quite possibly have other issues with the steering or suspension to account for the lack of control at speeds.
Last edited by MelWff; Feb 25, 2020 at 05:28 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,226
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From: Orange County Ca
If it's bent, it should be replaced. As far as this affecting sensitivity, I don't know.
I do know that a bad alignment, tire pressure, etc. can significantly affect how the car steers--hard or soft.
I do know that a bad alignment, tire pressure, etc. can significantly affect how the car steers--hard or soft.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,306
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From: PA
Did this sensitive steering issue develop recently or has it been like this since you got the car. The reason I ask is that the first vette I ever drove was my cousin's 74 back in 74. The power steering was very sensitive and thus this way straight from the factory. When I bought my '80, in '80 the power steering was much more well behaved. I've always assumed since then that GM changed something to get a better feel to the steering sometime between 74 and 80. I'm not sure if this is the case, but if so, then your 76 may just be behaving the way it should and the bent power cylinder, though needing to be replaced, may be unrelated.
Last edited by vince vette 2; Feb 26, 2020 at 09:37 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 170
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From: Bastrop Texas
I had a wreck in 2015 that among other things caused damage to the drivers side rear suspension. I decided it was an opportune time to replace the original suspension with coilovers with adjustable shocks, and tubular a-arms. After the aforementioned, I notice the steering was very responsive, but thought it was probably due to the upgrades, and that I would get use to it. I should add that the too responsive steering is okay while driving at the posted speed limit, but when doing some "spirited" driving ,especially taking curves, my blood pressure increases as the speed increases. I've had several alignments, but none affected the steering problem. The power steering cylinder being bent was discovered while the car was at a Corvette specialty repair shop for replacement of leaking heater core(an expensive job). A new power steering cylinder has been ordered and I will find out if this has been the problem once I get the car back and drive it. I'm hopping this will be the case. Thanks to everyone for the responses.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,306
Likes: 226
From: PA
Good luck. And as for the heater core, you're in TX, you don't need no stinking heater core. 
- Just kidding, I know it gets cold there even in Bastrop. I bought the aforementioned '80 in Victoria, and during my 3 years down there I did see it snow once and on a few mornings at some further inland oil rig sites I did find a skim of ice on the mud puddles. A little heat was in order.
- Just kidding, I know it gets cold there even in Bastrop. I bought the aforementioned '80 in Victoria, and during my 3 years down there I did see it snow once and on a few mornings at some further inland oil rig sites I did find a skim of ice on the mud puddles. A little heat was in order.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 170
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From: Bastrop Texas
Although it was not leaking to the extent that my floorboard was wet, there was enough moisture in the system that my windshield would fog over every time I drove even without the heat on, and the leak would eventually get worse. Your right about not needing the heater that often, but every once in awhile, you need to clear condensation from the windshield. And, when the heater is needed, you just put the selector on heater.........the blower is usually not needed to heat the cabin. If the new power steering cylinder doesn't solve the over sensitive steering problem, I may consider installing a rack and pinion system. I mean, what the hell. If I don't send the money on the Corvette, I would probably spend it on frivolous things such as food, insurance, and medicine
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Joined: May 2006
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I had a wreck in 2015 that among other things caused damage to the drivers side rear suspension. I decided it was an opportune time to replace the original suspension with coilovers with adjustable shocks, and tubular a-arms. After the aforementioned, I notice the steering was very responsive, but thought it was probably due to the upgrades, and that I would get use to it. I should add that the too responsive steering is okay while driving at the posted speed limit, but when doing some "spirited" driving ,especially taking curves, my blood pressure increases as the speed increases. I've had several alignments, but none affected the steering problem. The power steering cylinder being bent was discovered while the car was at a Corvette specialty repair shop for replacement of leaking heater core(an expensive job). A new power steering cylinder has been ordered and I will find out if this has been the problem once I get the car back and drive it. I'm hopping this will be the case. Thanks to everyone for the responses.
Can you post what alignment specs were used?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 170
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From: Bastrop Texas
I would post the specs if I know how to do it. I got the system from VanSteel in Florida who specialize in systems for Corvettes. For the last alignment, the alignment guy called VanSteel and did the alignment to their specs. In fact, he stayed on the phone line with VanSteel while doing the alignment. VanSteel informs the purchaser of their suspension systems that it is imperative to call them prior to getting an alignment since their specs are specific for their systems.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,306
Likes: 226
From: PA
Although it was not leaking to the extent that my floorboard was wet, there was enough moisture in the system that my windshield would fog over every time I drove even without the heat on, and the leak would eventually get worse. Your right about not needing the heater that often, but every once in awhile, you need to clear condensation from the windshield. And, when the heater is needed, you just put the selector on heater.........the blower is usually not needed to heat the cabin. If the new power steering cylinder doesn't solve the over sensitive steering problem, I may consider installing a rack and pinion system. I mean, what the hell. If I don't send the money on the Corvette, I would probably spend it on frivolous things such as food, insurance, and medicine.
.Anyway, pretty country up there in Bastrop. I bet the vette looks fine cruising through there. I spent my 3 years in TX as a field engineer testing oil wells (Dresser Atlas at the time) and covered a range from Austin to Victoria down to Corpus out to Freer and up to San Antonio. In between 8 day stints in the field I went far and wide in the vette. Man, early 20's, single, me and the vette both young.
Your last sentence reminds me of something Benny Hill would say, "I spent most of my money on women and wine, but like a fool I squandered the rest".
Last edited by vince vette 2; Feb 26, 2020 at 05:05 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 170
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From: Bastrop Texas
As A. Bunker would say in regards to those days in Texas, "Those were the days". My Vette looks nice inside and outside, but I drive it. I've done a 4,000 trip out West.........through the mountains of New Mexico, the coast road from L.A. to San Francisco, across Nevada and Utah, the mountains of Colorado via Silverton, and through Santa Fe on the way back to Bastrop. I did a 2,500 trip through the mountains of Colorado again this past August. And I plan to do another trip this spring/summer. As I said, I enjoy driving it rather than just looking at it in the garage and being limited to the car shows, show and shines and local rod runs in this area. Benny Hill sounds like a Corvette kind of guy.