Being a newbie to Corvettes I have no basis for comparison but it seems my recently purchased '73 does not have much assist.  It isn't like manual steering..... I can  turn the steering while at idle in  park so I know it works.  Belt is tight, steering box is not adjusted to tight (still returns to center and turns easily on the jackstands) fluid is up.  Maybe I am just getting old and used to driving my Chevy van and Jeep which steer alot easier.   Even the daughter's Scion xB steers easyier.  I do have 1.5" of play on center thats obnoxious (yes, it has a new rag joint and new bushings etc in front end)  and am considering my 1st big purchase for this car to be a Steeroids Rack system.  If I go with the Steeroid system I belive I would be using my existing P/S pump......would the steering effort be as high as it is now? Or, is my P/S pump just weak?

You could have problems with the power assist cylinder or the control valve. (haven't run into many pump problems, others may help you)

Thanks for the info on your experiance with Steeroids.  I am now considering that system even more.  

I put the steeroids R&P in my baby a few years ago. There is NO play!! It's s0 sensitive it feels like you're driving a go cart!! Cleared everything beautifully!! LukesVette2008-10-26 06:28:54

Thanks LukesVette.  

Ok, I was convinced, just ordered my Steeroids kit! You guys are costing me money......LOL!  I'll post back here agian in a couple of weeks (?) ) to say thanks I am sure.  To bad Steeroids dosen't give you commission on the the deal.

The commision will be your driving response

Well the Steeroids stuff all arrived and now I finally get to do this mod.  Got the car jacked up and sat back to read the directions.  Lost some of my motivation when the directions said I may have to remove Lf. header cause some aftermarket headers don't leave enough space for removal of the old steering box.  So that was a good enough reason to put it off a few days to get ex. man. and header flange gasket.  Then I got to thinking that if I remove the pitman arm instead of dropping everything at once like the directions said I might not have to deal with header. Whats your experiance?  The kids are out on vacation this week.....so I'll probably put this off another week

And my kid just got a R/C all wheel drive gas engined Drifter car.....so being the good dad I am, I'll have to take a break and fine tune the art of drifting in the driveway.

I removed all of the steering linkage at once after disconnecting it from the pitman arm. Remove the pitman arm from the box. I didn't rmove my header it took a bit of fussing but the box came out.

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr190/acplus/102708014.jpg

Ok, I am getting back on this project again.  Pulled the old stuff all off got the new steerioid brackets mounted and about to put the new rack up.  I occured to me that the new tie rod ends have no protection like the stock rubber boots or even look greasable.  Are these meant to run dry?   

Those are Heim joints.  They are built to withstand the elements, so don't need a cover.

Larry

Prolly got a teflon insert, right Larry? That keeps them quiet...

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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

That is what is to be used.

Great......thanks for your answer.  Now I won't worry about those exposed joints.  Now for another question that may or may not have been asked before.  On the back side of both A-arms as pictured is a ugly tab that serves no purpose that I can see.  This car has been shipped back and forth to Hawaii and was wondering if they are left over tabs for tie down or maybe used to go down the orginal assembly line?  Any ideas?

I beleive they are the turn stops ?

The tabs at the front/A arm are the turn stops.

checked the steering column play....seems tight.  Now I have a different problem.  When slideing the u-joint to the steering rack the u-joint itself barely clears the front left motor mount bracket.  If I use the short set screws provided they even jam it against the motor mount bracket and u-joint can't turn.  If I drop the rack and cut about 1/8"off the motor mount it would work.  Think I'll just eat lunch and think about it 

I took a die grider to my mount to allow for the clearance.

http://i482.photobucket.com/albums/rr190/acplus/101408028-1.jpg John

Oh WOW!  I know it's been two months since I started this thread. You guys were so RIGHT!  This Steeroid mod is awesome.  I dinked around alot and  finally got it installed and took it into get aligned today.  I eyeballed the tow in and was really close before I drove it to the shop.  Have driven it about 40 miles on twisty mountain roads.  The improvement over the  original worn out steering box and barely assisted P/S is like night and day.  No on-center play, etc.  Had to grind the motor mount for clearence and have a  P/S  hydralic hose remade 1.5 inches shorter to stop rubbing on the lower control arm.  Other than that it was a basically easy install.  I did remove the Lf. header to give my fat old hands some room to work. 

Great!! Glad ya got it together!!!

______________

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Glad to here you got it done, it makes a great difference

That's great, having good steering makes the drive more enjoyable.