Power Steering Probs....
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 990
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From: Germantown TN
Power Steering Probs....
I had a horrible leaking power steering control valve and I went and bought a refurbished one from the local autoparts store. I installed it and when I added fluid to the pump the wheel went outta control. The power steering hasnt worked for a while now because of the control valve. Is the problem still with the new valve or with the actual pump? Any thoughts? Any word will be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Le Mans Master
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From: Semper ubi, sub ubi
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Re: Power Steering Probs.... (ElectronBlueC3)
You need to center or balance the control valve, there is a procedure for doing this over on the Corvette Faq. http://www.corvettefaq.com
It is pretty simple to do, just follow the instructions, http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/ValveR...ance07OC01.doc
It is pretty simple to do, just follow the instructions, http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/ValveR...ance07OC01.doc
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 990
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From: Germantown TN
Re: Power Steering Probs.... (wombvette)
So it definately needs to be balance when you install a new one? I just put the hoses on it like the other ones were on the old one, i'm not sure if they were crossed or not. I looked at those instructions but there really weren't any visuals for the balancing. Does it sound like it could be the pump at all?I'm open to any and all suggestions. Thanks again.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
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From: Saginaw Michigan
Re: Power Steering Probs.... (ElectronBlueC3)
It is not the power steering pump. Just as Smokehouse said; either you may have connected the hoses from the valve to the assist cylinder backwards (as he said, they must be criss-crossed where the connect to the valve) or the valve you purchased was not balanced from the factory. You will need to carefully follow the instructions at the corvettefaq websight to balance it.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 990
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From: Germantown TN
Re: Power Steering Probs.... (ElectronBlueC3)
Anyone got a pic of what it is supposed to look like when installed? I need a pic of the hoses etc. I just want to be 100% sure on what to do. thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Re: Power Steering Probs.... (ElectronBlueC3)
For the hose routing, again, go to http://www.corvettefaq.com and look up the following:
Steering Hose Routing - All Engines
Steering Hose Routing (pic) - Steering Hose Pump to Valve
Steering Hose Routing (pic) - Steering Hose Valve to Cylinder
One other hint, once you have the hoses installed, it is a good idea have someone rotate the steering wheel lock to lock. Carefully watch the steering hoses as the linkage traverses side-to-side. Make sure that the hoses are routed so that they don't hit anything as the linkage moves.
Steering Hose Routing - All Engines
Steering Hose Routing (pic) - Steering Hose Pump to Valve
Steering Hose Routing (pic) - Steering Hose Valve to Cylinder
One other hint, once you have the hoses installed, it is a good idea have someone rotate the steering wheel lock to lock. Carefully watch the steering hoses as the linkage traverses side-to-side. Make sure that the hoses are routed so that they don't hit anything as the linkage moves.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 990
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From: Germantown TN
Re: Power Steering Probs.... (Jim Shea)
In the second picture I do not see how the hoses are criss-crossed. Is that just for that year? Is mine different from that one?
Also where is this piston rod and what does it look like? I know it is the vital piece to look at while adjusting and balancing the valve.
[Modified by ElectronBlueC3, 12:10 PM 11/12/2003]
Also where is this piston rod and what does it look like? I know it is the vital piece to look at while adjusting and balancing the valve.
[Modified by ElectronBlueC3, 12:10 PM 11/12/2003]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
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From: Saginaw Michigan
Re: Power Steering Probs.... (ElectronBlueC3)
In the third picture, (entitled Steering Hose Valve to Cylinder) the picture in the lower left shows the hoses criss-crossing as they attach to the control valve.
In that same picture but the center view, the hoses come out of the control valve and attach to the assist cylinder. The piston rod from the assist cylinder is passing to the right (behind the hoses as they attach to the cylinder). Not shown is the bracket and grommets where the piston rod attaches to frame on the driver side.
In that same picture but the center view, the hoses come out of the control valve and attach to the assist cylinder. The piston rod from the assist cylinder is passing to the right (behind the hoses as they attach to the cylinder). Not shown is the bracket and grommets where the piston rod attaches to frame on the driver side.