steering control valve, sloppy ball stud???
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 2
From: Severna Park Md
Re: steering control valve, sloppy ball stud??? (SIGNGUY)
Tom454, thanks for your explaination of the function of the controll valve. I understand it the same as you although you have explained it in a more detailed and complete way. Keep in mind that if you test a controll valve for play that is not installed in a vehicle, it will need to be subjected to the same forces that it would be under if it were installed. I suspect that SIGNGUY was moving the steering wheel from side to side while looking at the ball stud, with controll valve installed and engine not running. That is when he noticed the play.
MikeC, I admit that my original reply to this post was kinda vauge. Its understandable how someone can interpret it differently then it was meant.
SIGNGUY, it is a fact that with the motor not running that the ball stud and its related internal components will move back and forth when you move the steering wheel from side to side. If it appears tight with the motor on, and there are no leaks, and the power steering is functioning normal otherwise, i would suggest that there is nothing wrong with your controll valve.
MikeC, I admit that my original reply to this post was kinda vauge. Its understandable how someone can interpret it differently then it was meant.
SIGNGUY, it is a fact that with the motor not running that the ball stud and its related internal components will move back and forth when you move the steering wheel from side to side. If it appears tight with the motor on, and there are no leaks, and the power steering is functioning normal otherwise, i would suggest that there is nothing wrong with your controll valve.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 43
From: San Antonio TX
Re: steering control valve, sloppy ball stud??? (Jvette73)
And to back up Tom and make this proof positive. I was picking up a new ram for the Fairlane at a specialty shop here in San Antonio that rebuilds control valves, rams, pumps, and boxes for the classic Fords. They are the major supplier to all the Mustang and Ford restoration companies. Now before you get your nickers in a twist, The early Ford use the same components as the 63-82 Corvette. They're all made by either Delco or Bendix and all work exactly the same and use almost all the same parts. The steering box guts for the early Fords are Delco and the only difference is in the sector shaft and housing.
Anyway, I asked him about the control valve slop and function and he described it exactly as Tom wrote. He even went on to say that you can tell a good alignment shop by whether they start your Corvette during the alignment. If they don't start the car, there will be no hydraulic pressure on the control valve and you won't get an accurate alignment. If they do start the car during the alignment, you know you have a shop that at least has some idea about how to properly align a 63-82 Corvette. Now that's what I call useful information.
Anyway, I asked him about the control valve slop and function and he described it exactly as Tom wrote. He even went on to say that you can tell a good alignment shop by whether they start your Corvette during the alignment. If they don't start the car, there will be no hydraulic pressure on the control valve and you won't get an accurate alignment. If they do start the car during the alignment, you know you have a shop that at least has some idea about how to properly align a 63-82 Corvette. Now that's what I call useful information.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 4,411
Likes: 1
From: Okeechobee Florida
Re: steering control valve, sloppy ball stud??? (gerry72)
wow...talk about some great information!
im not sayin much here but im sittin back learnin... :yesnod:
thanx a lot guys for the education... :)
im not sayin much here but im sittin back learnin... :yesnod:
thanx a lot guys for the education... :)
Pro
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 503
Likes: 1
From: Georgia
Re: steering control valve, sloppy ball stud??? (gerry72)
"If they don't start the car, there will be no hydraulic pressure on the control valve and you won't get an accurate alignment."
Actually that's not true. The movement, or the lack of it in the steering valve has nothing to do with alignment. It COULD theoretically make a very small difference in the position of the steering wheel, but it would be VERY small and have nothing to do with the alignment itself.
Actually that's not true. The movement, or the lack of it in the steering valve has nothing to do with alignment. It COULD theoretically make a very small difference in the position of the steering wheel, but it would be VERY small and have nothing to do with the alignment itself.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
Re: steering control valve, sloppy ball stud??? (Denmech)
Follow-up....
I opened up a new (boxed) GM #7825636 control/adapter valve last night-
1) Installed a 1/2-20 lug nut on the stud
2) Mounted the stud in a bench vise
3) Had my female prodigy hold a high quality (1/64ths) depth gage against the stud & adapter housing
4) Moved the housing for a right turn, took a reading
5) Moved the housing for a left turn, took a reading
6) Repeated the above 3 times for accuracy, making sure the housing moved until it hit the limiit each time, and making sure I moved the housing perpendicular to the stud (hard to do)
The maximum amount of travel was 1/16" for each direction off center
P.S.- The :) means I am being jovial. Lighten up dudes. :)
I opened up a new (boxed) GM #7825636 control/adapter valve last night-
1) Installed a 1/2-20 lug nut on the stud
2) Mounted the stud in a bench vise
3) Had my female prodigy hold a high quality (1/64ths) depth gage against the stud & adapter housing
4) Moved the housing for a right turn, took a reading
5) Moved the housing for a left turn, took a reading
6) Repeated the above 3 times for accuracy, making sure the housing moved until it hit the limiit each time, and making sure I moved the housing perpendicular to the stud (hard to do)
The maximum amount of travel was 1/16" for each direction off center
P.S.- The :) means I am being jovial. Lighten up dudes. :)
