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Topic: Need Help Troubleshooting steering issue(s)

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Need Help Troubleshooting steering issue(s) (1/7)
12/5/12 1:45am

airmed_pilot1
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Joined: 11/17/2012
Posts: 24

So... picked up my Vette last week after having L-82 rebuilt by reputable auto machine shop. Whether or not relevent, car sat "engine-less" for 6 weeks during rebuild (under a large carport-type structure here in California). Once on the freeway, I noticed steering pulls to the right, whereas prior to engine rebuild/install she tracked straight as an arrow. On the way home, checked/verfied tires @ 32psi, at which time I noticed there is a slight "clicking" in the steering wheel when turning approximately plus/minus 30 degrees from the 12 O'Clock position.

The machine shop is closed this week due to family emergency (legit), so took Vette by a trusted auto shop, where two mechanic/friends familiar with my Vette also noticed the change. No obvious damage discovered during our inspection.

Today I took the Vette to different shop for alignment. Guess what.... the alignment was/is close to spot on. The gentleman/proprietor of the alignment shop refused to charge me for his labor, and admitted he too is baffled.

Any ideas?

PS - absolutely love the newly rebuilt & "gently massaged" engine.

|UPDATED|12/4/2012 10:45:40 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

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Re: Need Help Troubleshooting steering issue(s) (2/7)
12/5/12 10:16am

Adams' Apple

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Duncanville, TX - USA

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#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas

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hhmmmmm....tough one. IF the alignment IS truly within specs, then we have to look at brakes, tires, or steering components. How "hard" does it pull?

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Joel Adams
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Re: Need Help Troubleshooting steering issue(s) (3/7)
12/5/12 11:48am

MikeMc71
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Tucson, AZ - USA

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I agree with Joel (imagine that) LOL........

Anyway, I would seriously look at the brakes. Just drive it around the block and see if one side gets hotter than the other. The other thing could be the power steering unit, if it got bumped hard or changed at the engine install, I suppose it could be pulling the steering off while its running. You could try lifting the front end off the ground and starting the car, if the steering pulls to one side, you have found your problem.

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Re: Need Help Troubleshooting steering issue(s) (4/7)
12/5/12 10:53pm

airmed_pilot1
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Joined: 11/17/2012
Posts: 24

Thank you, gentlemen. I would describe as a gentle pull to the right. Noticable, but not unwieldy on the road.

I've already eliminated tires as the issue, since nothing about the tires changed during the engine install (visual inspection/air pressure fine).

I am wondering about the power steering components, as they would potentially be vulnerable to damage while pulling out or reinstalling the engine. Visual inspection appears fine, but doesn't equate to being fine. I'll follow-up this weekend with jacking the front end and troubleshooting as suggested.

As for the brakes... appreciate a dragging brake could mimic; but trying to wrap my brain around why/what would cause brake to suddenly drag after the rebuild. That being said, my "calibrated hand test" didn't note any excess heat eminating from the front/right wheel.

Noone has said anything about the slight "click" felt through the steering wheel; although I did seen an earlier post about lubricating several steering component bearings.

Again... appreciate your helping me out.

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Re: Need Help Troubleshooting steering issue(s) (5/7)
12/5/12 11:23pm

Adams' Apple

Doug, just for poops and grins, check the rag joint on the steering box...if they moved the car around with the engine out, turning the wheels with no power steering may have torn the rag joint some, and that could possibly be the noise AND the pull. Another thing, if they had it sitting all that time with the parking brake applied, one of the parking brake shoes could be dragging, causing a pull. And...sitting without an engine for a length of time may have finished off a so-so upper control arm bushing.
Also, you can't always connect a symptom with a specific event. Just because it wasn't doing it before, doesn't mean it happened because of the engine R&R....could just be a coinkydink.

So many possibilities... Ouch

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Re: Need Help Troubleshooting steering issue(s) (6/7)
12/18/12 12:28am

airmed_pilot1
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Joined: 11/17/2012
Posts: 24

Turns out the solution was a simple adjustment of the power steering control valve. This didn't occur to me until I remembered we had changed out the power steering pump during the engine rebuild.

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Re: Need Help Troubleshooting steering issue(s) (7/7)
12/18/12 8:39am

Adams' Apple

That's good news!

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