Power steering
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,227
Likes: 7,825
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Maybe.
Could your control valve be shot?
Maybe
Could your Ram be shot?
Maybe
Could you have a pinched or plugged line?
Maybe.
What have you actually tested? And how?
Could your control valve be shot?
Maybe
Could your Ram be shot?
Maybe
Could you have a pinched or plugged line?
Maybe.
What have you actually tested? And how?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 170
Likes: 22
From: Superior WI
The only maybe I can clear up is there are no pinched lines. When driving it feels like manual steering but also wants to not stay straight and takes a little muscle to keep it straight. Turning feels like manual steering. I have made sure the oil level is correct and without the engine running I turned lock to lock 20 times. Then with the engine running another 20 times. The oil level was the same so I'm guessing there was no air in the system. Test drove it and nothing changed.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,227
Likes: 7,825
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
I would disconnect the ram from the frame bracket. Can you push the rod in and pull it back out of the cylinder?
You should feel resistance, it should push and pull slowly as you move the fluid. Making certain your steering is set straight ahead while doing this.
Remove the adjustment cap from the control valve. With rod still disconnected from the frame.
Start engine and let it idle. Adjust the adjustment nut on the control valve. Turning it one way the rod should extend out. Turning it the other way it should pull back in. Put the adjustment nut right in the center. Then check that you can move the rod in and out with it idling and that adjustment nut centered. Then shut it off. Reassemble and go for a drive.
You should feel resistance, it should push and pull slowly as you move the fluid. Making certain your steering is set straight ahead while doing this.
Remove the adjustment cap from the control valve. With rod still disconnected from the frame.
Start engine and let it idle. Adjust the adjustment nut on the control valve. Turning it one way the rod should extend out. Turning it the other way it should pull back in. Put the adjustment nut right in the center. Then check that you can move the rod in and out with it idling and that adjustment nut centered. Then shut it off. Reassemble and go for a drive.
