Rack causing steering issues?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,227
Likes: 697
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
Rack causing steering issues?
My rack doesn't leak in my 85, but the car is all over the road even though the suspension looks fine and tires not too old.
Steers hard, but I can't compare to the way it was when new. It's been 41 years.
Could the rack be the cause of jumping all over the road at 70MPH?
Steers hard, but I can't compare to the way it was when new. It's been 41 years.
Could the rack be the cause of jumping all over the road at 70MPH?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,381
Likes: 2,735
Have you ever done anything to the intermediate shaft coupling at the rack? If stock, it's got covers over it and you can't check visually. That I believe would be the first check. In a failed state I would think it difficult/hard steer.
There are numerous threads regarding intermediate shafts '84 and '85 model years.
There are numerous threads regarding intermediate shafts '84 and '85 model years.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 535
Likes: 279
From: Marysville WA
On my '84 I started experiencing the dreaded "morning sickness", a hard spot when turning. I don't believe in "tune up in a bottle" but there have been numerous mentions here about Lucas power steering stop leak. I gave it a try and it fixed the problem. Over 3 years later still working good. It might help loosen up the hard steering for you too.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,748
Likes: 643
From: USA
Racks can develop internal leaks, this happened on my old '07 Yukon...same symptoms....scary!!! Find an empty parking lot and do some turns and note if the steering wheel/car re-centers itself...meaning, turn the wheel to make a turn, but after your initial input, lift your hands off the wheel while staying on the throttle...the car/wheel should straighten out smoothly on it's own...try this turning both directions. If the car fights/resists straightening out...more confirmation of the internal pressure bypassing! I found the experience to be extremely sketchy, a vehicle darting around suddenly and requiring sudden unforseen corrections at highway speeds is not my idea of safe or fun! Good luck with your diagnosis/fix👍
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,331
Likes: 1,141
From: Vermilion OH
I agree with the suggestions from WVZR-1 and '78CorvesseS.A. I would first inspect the steering shaft. When the u-joint starts failing, it will make the steering tight. Sometimes its right amd then normal and tight snd normal as you steer. You can lubricate the u-joints with a good penetrating oil and then turn the wheel lock to lock a few times and see if the steering effort gets easier. If it does, you know the steering shaft u-joints are failing. The rack failing is also a fair suggestion. If the steering shaft is good and all other steering components are good, the method above would work great. Is your car a Z51 with the quick steering ratio?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,227
Likes: 697
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
Have you ever done anything to the intermediate shaft coupling at the rack? If stock, it's got covers over it and you can't check visually. That I believe would be the first check. In a failed state I would think it difficult/hard steer.
There are numerous threads regarding intermediate shafts '84 and '85 model years.
There are numerous threads regarding intermediate shafts '84 and '85 model years.
On my '84 I started experiencing the dreaded "morning sickness", a hard spot when turning. I don't believe in "tune up in a bottle" but there have been numerous mentions here about Lucas power steering stop leak. I gave it a try and it fixed the problem. Over 3 years later still working good. It might help loosen up the hard steering for you too.
Racks can develop internal leaks, this happened on my old '07 Yukon...same symptoms....scary!!! Find an empty parking lot and do some turns and note if the steering wheel/car re-centers itself...meaning, turn the wheel to make a turn, but after your initial input, lift your hands off the wheel while staying on the throttle...the car/wheel should straighten out smoothly on it's own...try this turning both directions. If the car fights/resists straightening out...more confirmation of the internal pressure bypassing! I found the experience to be extremely sketchy, a vehicle darting around suddenly and requiring sudden unforseen corrections at highway speeds is not my idea of safe or fun! Good luck with your diagnosis/fix👍
I agree with the suggestions from WVZR-1 and '78CorvesseS.A. I would first inspect the steering shaft. When the u-joint starts failing, it will make the steering tight. Sometimes its right amd then normal and tight snd normal as you steer. You can lubricate the u-joints with a good penetrating oil and then turn the wheel lock to lock a few times and see if the steering effort gets easier. If it does, you know the steering shaft u-joints are failing. The rack failing is also a fair suggestion. If the steering shaft is good and all other steering components are good, the method above would work great. Is your car a Z51 with the quick steering ratio?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,381
Likes: 2,735
If you've never 'serviced' the intermediate shaft that would be the first check. This thread has a snapshot of how the intermediate coupling should be orientated if there are no issues.
steering wander Q - CorvetteForum - Chevrolet Corvette Forum Discussion
steering wander Q - CorvetteForum - Chevrolet Corvette Forum Discussion
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Pro
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 535
Likes: 279
From: Marysville WA
In my area driving I5 there are lanes that are smooth and others with shallow ruts. Changing lanes from the ruts can be quite abrupt and I will also experience weaving back and forth. Find an section that is not rutted and steering is back to being "normal".