Power steering without power question/loose steering?

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Oct 22, 2004 | 10:42 PM

hezekiahmunson

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From: Easton PA

Power steering without power question/loose steering?

My other post is blank and invalid for some reason....so Im reposting here.

My 75 has power steering, but the cylinder is bad and it wont hold fluid. The car walks all over the road. Is it because the ball joint that hooks into the pitman arm(coming out of the power steering valve) has to be under pressure for the car to not wander all over the road? I would like to convert to manual steering actually, would I just need a different pitman arm and relay rod?

Thanks!

Oct 22, 2004 | 10:43 PM

hezekiahmunson

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From: Easton PA

Bad steering

Oct 23, 2004 | 11:00 AM

Jim Shea

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From: Saginaw Michigan

There have been several posts that have indicated that they really liked the feel on the highway when their power steering went out. So I would just make sure that your problem isn't elsewhere for the cause of your loose, vague steering. Look at the condition of your idler arm, tie rod ends, tire pressures, loose sway bar, rear suspension, etc.

It is true, all you need is the special manual steering relay rod and the correct pitman arm to convert to manual steering.

Oct 23, 2004 | 06:13 PM

hezekiahmunson

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From: Easton PA

Thanks for the ideas. I just replaced most of the front suspension with a PST front end kit. New bushing, tie rod ends, shocks, etc. The car wandered all over the road before, and it still does it now. I was hoping the new parts would fix it, but it didnt. I saw someone post that a crack frame where the A arms attach would cause this, but the frame looks good.

Could the steering box let the car wander? If I am driving straight, the car will just start going in one direction, then another, it is very odd.

Oct 23, 2004 | 06:24 PM

joe73vette

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From: Eastern Connecticut

Has the car been aligned lately? Loose rear end parts would do what you describe, too. Joe

Oct 23, 2004 | 06:25 PM

GTR1999

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From: Connecticut, USA

Check the alignment,loose front end parts as described,loose wheel bearings, and play in the steering gear and rag joint. All can cause this. Usually when the steering gear is worn you'll find the steering wheel moves an inch or more before the wheels start to turn. Have someone turn the wheel as you look at the rag joint and box to see when it moves and if there is any play in the box. Don't go trying to adjust the box by the lash screw unless you understand the correct procedure.
Gary

Oct 23, 2004 | 10:37 PM

Jim Shea

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Joined: Jul 2000

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From: Saginaw Michigan

A steering gear out of adjustment could give the problems that you are describing. I probably should have refered you to this paper in the first place.

http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/GearAd...-Rev21FE04.doc

This paper gives a procedure for checking and making two steering gear adjustments.

Oct 23, 2004 | 10:47 PM

bobs77vet

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Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 11,874

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From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod

Quote:

Originally Posted by hezekiahmunson

If I am driving straight, the car will just start going in one direction, then another, it is very odd.

i can relate!!!! this exact same thing happened to me and it was really scary to drive. i rebuilt my front end thinking it would fix the problem and it certainly needed it after 125k. however the problem did not go away. I had a myriad of problems in my rear suspension that was causing rear steer. they were bad bearings, a bad u joint, screwed up strut rods and lastly the side yokes would slide in and out of the differential. only cost and arm and a leg to repair but the "rear steer" is gone ....what it kind of felt like was a really strong side wind and the car would just wander off (almost darty)....

Last edited by bobs77vet; Oct 23, 2004 at 10:54 PM.

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Oct 23, 2004 | 10:49 PM

bobs77vet

Race Director

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 11,874

Likes: 263

From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod

Quote:

Originally Posted by hezekiahmunson

If I am driving straight, the car will just start going in one direction, then another, it is very odd.

i can relate!!!! this exact same thing happened to me and it was really scary to drive. i rebuilt my front end thinking it would fix the problem and it certainly needed it after 125k. however the problem did not go away. I had a myriad of problems in my rear suspension that was causing rear steer. they were bad bearings, a bad u joint, screwed up strut rods and lastly the side yokes would slide in and out of the differential. only cost and arm and a leg to repair but the "rear steer is gone ....what it kind of felt like was a really strong side wind and the car would just wander off (almost darty)....