Hello Forum members:

Two weeks ago I lost my Power Steering on my 1978 Corvette. Even though I replaced my power steering pump last year I decided to replace
the pump with another new one. No improvement.

I also replaced my Power Control Valve last year with a rebuilt Lone Star unit; Currently no leaks at Control Valve, Power Lines and Ram Piston.
I may go ahead and just replace Power Control Valve again, Power Lines and Slave Ram Piston. They sell complete kits for around $300.00. I
guess just elimination at this point to find problem.

I was told by two corvette mechanics - most likely not your Steering Box being all mechanical and not hydraulic lines attached to box.

Any suggestions please and thank you.

 

There are no lines to the box. I tryed a replacement PS Control valve at one time. Utter garbage. Put the original back on the car, all good.
In my opinion, your better off rebuilding a original PS valve than using one of those replacements. However, if your pump is pumping, your lines are not kinked. And your not seeing any leaks, yes, then it must be in the control valve.
Brand of pump? Your certain it's pumping?

 

vtech,

First of all, diagnosing a mechanical problem with an open checkbook & pen is NOT the way to fix it.

Could be something simple. A blockage of fluid pressure. There is a screen in the pump that keeps containments out of the system.

It could be your pumps belt is slipping without making a sound.

I think the first thing I would do is put the front up on ramps. Remove the cotter pin, nut, washers from the rams cyl end at the frame bracket.
See if the ram can now freely move in & out by hand.
Have a helper start the vehicle and make slight turns of the wheel. Observe if the ram is responding underneath.

 

I haven't missed mine.

You could convert to manual steering on the cheap, at least temporarily, using the Borgeson adapter 990002 in place of the power steering control valve.

Then you'll be one part ahead when you switch to Borgeson power steering.

 

I will ASSUME that you did all the work yourself? If you did install the new parts, did you jack up the front wheels and bleed the air out of the PS System, by tuning the steering wheel completely right / left? Good Luck

 

Could the valve inside the pump be clogged?
With a 5/8" flare wrench, remove that line.
With an open-end wrench remove the valve (24) and confirm that the holes are not blocked.
The valve (6) should now pop out, reinstall and make sure it moves freely.
Reassemble and test.

 

[QUOTE=vtech;1608721351]Hello Forum members:

Two weeks ago I lost my Power Steering on my 1978 Corvette. Even though I replaced my power steering pump last year I decided to replace
the pump with another new one. No improvement.

I also replaced my Power Control Valve last year with a rebuilt Lone Star unit; Currently no leaks at Control Valve, Power Lines and Ram Piston.
I may go ahead and just replace Power Control Valve again, Power Lines and Slave Ram Piston. They sell complete kits for around $300.00. I
guess just elimination at this point to find problem.

I was told by two corvette mechanics - most likely not your Steering Box being all mechanical and not hydraulic lines attached to box.

Any suggestions please and thank you.
I had the same thing happen a while back, repkced the control valve with a rebuilt one ,rebuilt the steering box and ram and still the same issue. Turns out it was a problem with the control valve, apparently rebuilt ones are hit and miss weather they work or not and was told only replace it with a brand new one, problem with that is they are hard to get and they cost about $800. So for $900 +tx canadian i put a Borgeson steering setup in, very easy to install took only about 2hrs to do and work fantastic.
Steering ratio is 12to1 your old one is 16to1.Oh by the way I originally spent $1800 trying to get the original problem fixed.
Mark60

 

It is time to stop throwing money at your problem!! It is now time to call the guys at TurnOne Performance Power Steering!! These guys are EXPERTS in anything to do with the steering of your Corvette!

Here is their link:https://turnonesteering.com/

Here is their Phone #: Toll Free: 877-GO-TURN1

These guys were the ones who made all my noises from the steering go away and left everything working like the day it was built.

 

Yup! Manual steering, or Borgeson, is the only way (or some fancy rack and pinion solution).

What do they have specific to C3s, other than power steering pumps that cost as much as an entire Junkyard LS engine (which comes with a steering pump), or some "send us money, we'll solve your problem" boilerplate?

They have stuff for later Corvettes, but here's what they have to say in their Corvette power steering page:
https://turnonesteering.com/driving-...ower-steering/

A stealth endorsement for an LS swap! I'll take it, but it might not help the OP. It seems they do mod Borgesons, too. If the stock box needs work, send it to @GTR1999 (that's what I did for my manual steering conversion)

 

Thank you for all the feedback. The problem was a 2nd failed Power Control Valve - replaced and all working now.