On my 1980, the hose's starting leaking badly, and before that the Power Steering was not what it had been. So my mechanic shop changed all hose's, the Power Steering Control Valve, the Power Steering Cylinder, the Power Steering Pump, and the Steering Box. When I drove it off, the steering was hardly any better. To make a long story short, all parts were again replaced and I'm still having problems. The P.S. is nowhere to being as it once was. I don't know if my mechanic shop is missing something. At this point I have spent almost $3500 on this. Any help would be appreciated.

 

Where did he get all the parts from? There is a LOT of junk out there, posing as “quality” rebuilds and, worse, cheapo reproductions.

I’d start first by disconnecting the power steering belt and the ram to essentially convert to manual steering and see how the car drives. If you still (likely) have a problem, at least you can start isolating it. Did he check the ball joints, tie rod ends, idler arm and the actual alignment? Does he even know how to do a 4 wheel alignment on a Corvette?

What shape are your tires in?

Lots and lots of variables involved.

 

For that money you could have bought a spare and had GTR1999 rebuild it.

Sorry but local mechanics just get some rebuilt in China box and slap it on.

 

I don't know what your P/S feels like since you don't explain. I figure you know that a C3 has power assisted steering not true power steering so it never had that one finger feel. You also said the hoses were leaking, so regardless of the "feel", you should have no leaks if the shop replaced the pump, valve, hoses and the cylinder which all all the parts that have fluid. The box, allignment, tie rods, ball joints etc would give you a number of steering problems not related to leaks and the P/S "feel". Also, the box is Not part of the P/S system but a worn out box could give poor steering.
You spent a lot of money so far and if the work was only for the parts you listed it was way more than it should have been.
A few weeks ago I added P/S to my 1970 that never had P/S (system similar/mostly same as a 1980). That required all the parts you listed plus I had to add all brackets, pump pulley, P/S relay rod, P/S pitman arm and included a "string" alighment by adjusting the tie rods. Everything cost me about 850.
I'm 75, it was cold, I worked mostly on my back and it probably took me 10-12 hours because I didn't need to rush and there was a lot of fumbling around. I would equate what I did to about 4 hours at the most for your work at a good shop.
If you get things right, also make sure you have the correct fluid installed. I used GM P/S fluid from the dealer which was recommended by someone who knows what works.

 

Yes Sir, I know that on a C3 it's a power assisted steering. I purchased my C3 in 2008. Up until the hose's starting leaking, the steering was good, are what I would call normal for a C3. When I thought it was just the hose's leaking it was discovered to have other leaks. The control valve and cylinder. The first parts I purchased was from Corvette Brakes, C.S.S.B. INC.. The power steering control valve, the PS steering cylinder was rebuilt parts. After that it steered ok. I drive the car very little now. A year passed and the steering was starting to fad. The PS pump was leaking, along with the PS control valve, which was changed 1 year earlier. I then purchased parts from Top Flight Automotive/Corvette America. The PS pump was a reman., the control valve was suppose to have been new, and I also changed the PS Box, which was also new. When I drove it away this time, I was not impressed with the steering, but I let it ride. As I said, I don't drive the car very much. A few months ago I took it out, and I had No steering at all. It took just about everything I had to turn the wheel. My mechanic said it had to be the pump. So I ordered a new PS pump from Corvette Central. When I picked the car up, they said the PS cylinder was now leaking. Again.. When I drove the car away the steering was a little better, but not as it should be. I then ordered a new PS cylinder from Corvette Central. After picking the car up yesterday, the new cylinder made no difference. This is how the steering feels. To make a 90 degree turn from stop or a slow speed, it takes both hands. You cannot do it with one. When you make a turn on the highway and go to straighten back up, you have to actually force it back straight. The wheel feels very heavy. I don't think my wife could steer the car. No, I have not had the alignment checked or realigned. But all seemed good before the leaks started. The $3500 I have so far spent is parts and labor. I don't know what the problem is nor my mechanic shop. They are good people. My wife and I have used them for the last 15 years. Have always had good results from them. But they are not known to work on older cars such as a C3. They agreed to do this job because we are long time customers. I don't know what is the problem and neither do they. Asking for help and suggestions.

 

$3500-! I'm guessing that was mostly labor? Does the shop not warrant the parts if you buy them yourself?

Find a different shop, and install a Borgeson conversion Or DIY for $850 or so. Less if you reuse your pump.

Your steering will likely be so light and easy that you'll need an alignment to add more caster.

 

I tracked my car at Summit Point. When I got home, the Power Steering Control valve was leaking badly. I would have loved to have GTR1999 rebuild it. Unfortunately, he was backed up with other work.

Chinese parts have flooded the market. I finally went with the Lares New Power Steering Control Valve 10025 from Summit. Chinese casting but from what I understand it was assembled in the USA and was hydraulically tested and balanced. It also has a lifetime guarantee. Just an FYI.

Question: Do you know if the shop balanced the Power Steering control valve?

 

I concur. Find a different shop or do it yourself. This is why I do most of my work myself. BUT really--- if you're willing to pay that much money just do the Borgeson conversion.
There is nothing tough about the Power Steering -- I have had 2 leaks on mine since I installed it 32 years ago. And I caused one of those leaks myself. I was replacing the leaking hose and "twisted" the reservoir body on the pump..... ordered a replacement at autozone and slapped it on...hasn't leaked in the following 11 years. (I brought the replacement home before returning the core since I had to transfer 1 rear bolt from the old to the new--- i only mention that in case you end up replacing the pump/reservoir).

 

Generally, it is best to find the specific problem before replacing parts. With the suspicious quality of new/china parts, it's going to be pretty hard to pin down the problem now.
This alone tells me that your mechanic's thought process is questionable.
If just the hoses were leaking, I would have replaced them first. Then, try to determine if the pump or the cylinder was bad. Then replace them 1 at a time. It could be the steering box binding up, but that would be rare. Usually box problems translate to sloppy steering, not hard steering.
I THINK Corvette pumps operate on different pressures than other Chevy's, which may be your problem, if you bought a generic Chevy pump. Search the forums for Jim Shea's papers.
I agree, it's time to find a new mechanic. No need to find a corvette sepecific shop, Any shop that works on old cars should be able to help you. It is a Chevy after all.
PS Did you change to wider tires recently?
This made a big difference in my steering.

 

No I do not know if they did. How would you proceed to do that? Thanks.

 

Yes Sir, I know that on a C3 it's a power assisted steering. I purchased my C3 in 2008. Up until the hose's starting leaking, the steering was good, are what I would call normal for a C3. When I thought it was just the hose's leaking it was discovered to have other leaks. The control valve and cylinder. The first parts I purchased was from Corvette Brakes, C.S.S.B. INC.. The power steering control valve, the PS steering cylinder was rebuilt parts. After that it steered ok. I drive the car very little now. A year passed and the steering was starting to fad. The PS pump was leaking, along with the PS control valve, which was changed 1 year earlier. I then purchased parts from Top Flight Automotive/Corvette America. The PS pump was a reman., the control valve was suppose to have been new, and I also changed the PS Box, which was also new. When I drove it away this time, I was not impressed with the steering, but I let it ride. As I said, I don't drive the car very much. A few months ago I took it out, and I had No steering at all. It took just about everything I had to turn the wheel. My mechanic said it had to be the pump. So I ordered a new PS pump from Corvette Central. When I picked the car up, they said the PS cylinder was now leaking. Again.. When I drove the car away the steering was a little better, but not as it should be. I then ordered a new PS cylinder from Corvette Central. After picking the car up yesterday, the new cylinder made no difference. This is how the steering feels. To make a 90 degree turn from stop or a slow speed, it takes both hands. You cannot do it with one. When you make a turn on the highway and go to straighten back up, you have to actually force it back straight. The wheel feels very heavy. I don't think my wife could steer the car. No, I have not had the alignment checked or realigned. But all seemed good before the leaks started. The $3500 I have so far spent is parts and labor. I don't know what the problem is nor my mechanic shop. They are good people. My wife and I have used them for the last 15 years. Have always had good results from them. But they are not known to work on older cars such as a C3. They agreed to do this job because we are long time customers. I don't know what is the problem and neither do they. Asking for help and suggestions.

 

Is it leaking? Or just hard to steer? If leaking then clean everything up really and then eyeball where the leak is. it's not complicated. take a picture and post it. probably something simple.
If your wheel is not pulling to one side or the other then I would not suspect an unbalanced control valve....especially since you said you have to force it back to center???
No matter what year vehicles your mechanic works on that is no excuse for not being able to fix this simple system.

 

I went thru the same thing with my 81, I was into the garage for 2 grand and still had the problem. There is pretty much no good rebuilt control valves but if you can find new that's the way to go, problem is a new one here in Canada, if you can find one is approximately $800, so I installed a Borgeson system for $1000 Canadian ( U.S. is about 6-700). Well worth it ,works awesome and you go from 16-1 ratio to 12-1 and it is easy to install yourself. I love. Just my opinion.
Mark60

 

If you "Quote" the reply (instead of just hitting "Reply to Thread"), we can tell which response you are referencing, and give better feedback.

 

I read what you went through and all the parts that were replaced, some twice. After reading about other owners problems regarding leaking I only used new parts not rebuilt parts. The pump and cylinder were made by Lares and they came from Top Flight and Rock Auto. The valve was new from Lone Star. I'm not saying the parts I used are better than yours, but I am good at this time. I have no leaks and everything works fine, but it is less than a month. I would not be surprised if a slight leak developed after a year or more, but I'm hoping for a long time leak free system.
3 things for you to consider is the type of fluid used, air in the system and the possibility of contamination in your system.
First, the Lares pump came with a sheet that had large print in red that said the warranty was voided if you did not flush out your system before putting the new parts in service. Mine was all new so I did not pay much attention, but it is someting for you to consider with your problems.
Second is the type of fluid. Joe Lucia from the NCRS forum, who knows what he's talking about says to only use Delco cold weather P/S fluid. Read this: "If you want to use an original formulation powersteeringfluid, use GM #19329448, aka ACDelco 10-5073. If you decide to use a partially synthetic powersteeringfluid (a fluid labeled "cold climate" but suitable for all climates) use GM #12345867, aka ACDelco 10-5044. For me, I use the 12345867."
Third is to properly bleed the system. At first I went through the bleeding process and thought I was good, but I was a few ounces short. That made all the difference. For you to loose say 4 ounces is a lot, but is it possible?
Lastly, here is another quote from Joe Lucia: "By the way, after you install all new system components, flush the system, and begin using it on the road, in a few months you'll have another leak. Practically guaranteed."

 

I wonder what a shop would have charge to replace with the Borgenson?

 

I feel your pain. I put up with multiple control valve replacements, hoses, pump rebuild over a 30 year period and still had leaks. Installing the Borgeson unit fixed all that, AND gave me quicker steering as well. Wish I would have done it years ago. Bite the bullet and do it. I am 80 years old and did it in my garage laying under the car in a day. Yes, that sucker is heavy!

 

At this point, I see nothing leaking. Just very hard to turn and steer. Wheel is very heavy.

 

This is how the steering feels. To make a 90 degree turn from stop or a slow speed, it takes both hands. You cannot do it with one. When you make a turn on the highway and go to straighten back up, you have to actually force it back straight. The wheel feels very heavy. I don't think my wife could steer the car.

 

401KVette
Sounds to me like your power steering is not working (or assisting very little if at all).
Is it leaking or not?
If it is NOT leaking you can try to bleed the system. If it is leaking then fix the leaks first. Read the whole thread --- there are other pointers in there (like making sure the lines are criss-crossed at the control valve {CV})

Read this thread on bleeding: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...er-assist.html