Steering problems - Forums - Official C3 Vette Registry - C3 Corvette Registry

Home page

☰

SPONSOR AD

Support our Vendors! | Advertise Here

Topic: Steering problems

in Forum: C3 Handling Components

Already a Member?
Login
Not yet a Member?
Register for Free!

Hide Signatures

Steering problems (1/22)
4/5/09 10:33pm

ossw1
Former Member
Send Private Message

Rocklin, CA - USA

Vette(s):
1970 T-Top350/350hp numbers matching 4 speed. It's a mess and 1970 Convertible 4 speed.

Joined: 4/2/2005
Posts: 484

On the 81 when I bought it was hard to steer and when I got it home found out that there was not fluid in the pump. So put fluid in the pump and look underneath and it looks like the power steering valve leaks. So when I drove it the steering wheel would jerk right at times. The faster I went the car seem to be all over the road not so bad at at lower speed. Not sure if the valve or pump is leaking I will do the talcum powder test this week. The hoses seem good. So should I replace all of the above? When I test drove the car it ran straight and good.

Our Sponsors help support C3VR

Steering problems (2/22)
4/6/09 8:14am

Lifetime Member

Lifetime Member
Moderator
Send Private Message

Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#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

Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20128

The control valve is notorious about leaking. Once you added the fluid, you need to "bleed" the air out, which involves turning the steering wheel from lock-lock several times, but not real fast. Air in the system will cause it to "jump" while driving, until the air is purged. Normal driving should, purge the air, but it doesn't always do it very quickly.
If the control valve is leaking, it can be rebuilt/resealed, you can get an exchange, or a new replacement.
It may also need to be adjusted. There are a couple of threads on how to do that here somewhere.

______________

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"

Steering problems (3/22)
4/6/09 6:09pm

ossw1
Former Member
Send Private Message

Rocklin, CA - USA

Vette(s):
1970 T-Top350/350hp numbers matching 4 speed. It's a mess and 1970 Convertible 4 speed.

Joined: 4/2/2005
Posts: 484

Hey Adam I drove the car around a good five minutes and it still did it. Should I just sit there and move the steering wheel back and forth with the car running?

Steering problems (4/22)
4/6/09 6:20pm

dskopp
Limited Member
Send Private Message

Oak Creek, WI - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Great White Shark. Red Interior, 350/190hp. PS, PB (SS), A/C CC, T-Tops, Going to remain as Stock as possible. Served three years in Active Duty Army, then Retired Air Force after 34 years! Badger State Vetts Car Club. 175,000 Original miles!!

Joined: 5/21/2008
Posts: 1958

You need to start the car and while it is running move the wheel from lock to lock. I had a leak and replaced the power steering pump. The rear seal was bad!

Dan

______________

(click to see a larger image)

Steering problems (5/22)
4/6/09 6:30pm

ossw1
Former Member
Send Private Message

Rocklin, CA - USA

Vette(s):
1970 T-Top350/350hp numbers matching 4 speed. It's a mess and 1970 Convertible 4 speed.

Joined: 4/2/2005
Posts: 484

Ok I will do that and see what happens.

Steering problems (6/22)
4/6/09 6:32pm

dskopp
Limited Member
Send Private Message

Oak Creek, WI - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Great White Shark. Red Interior, 350/190hp. PS, PB (SS), A/C CC, T-Tops, Going to remain as Stock as possible. Served three years in Active Duty Army, then Retired Air Force after 34 years! Badger State Vetts Car Club. 175,000 Original miles!!

Joined: 5/21/2008
Posts: 1958

okee dookie. Let us know what you find out !!

Approve

______________

(click to see a larger image)

Steering problems (7/22)
4/7/09 12:55am

2tonevette1981
Former Member
Send Private Message

Hillsboro, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1981 beige/bronze

Joined: 3/2/2008
Posts: 148

My car did the same when I bought it. At low speeds no problem, but the faster you went the harder it pulled. It was the control valve which was leaking. If you change the control valve you may want to change the steering cylinder also. It is notorious for leaking too. I found mine on ebay at a pretty good price and all the usual sources have them also ie ecklers, rics, etc. Once I changed them ran strait as if on rails

______________

Steering problems (8/22)
4/11/09 9:16pm

ossw1
Former Member
Send Private Message

Rocklin, CA - USA

Vette(s):
1970 T-Top350/350hp numbers matching 4 speed. It's a mess and 1970 Convertible 4 speed.

Joined: 4/2/2005
Posts: 484

Well the car still jerks to the right. I did notice when I set at ideal and give it gas you can see the steering wheel move to the right every time I rev it up. So I guess I will replace the Valve and cylinder .

Steering problems (9/22)
4/11/09 10:37pm

dskopp
Limited Member
Send Private Message

Oak Creek, WI - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Great White Shark. Red Interior, 350/190hp. PS, PB (SS), A/C CC, T-Tops, Going to remain as Stock as possible. Served three years in Active Duty Army, then Retired Air Force after 34 years! Badger State Vetts Car Club. 175,000 Original miles!!

Joined: 5/21/2008
Posts: 1958

Did changing the cylinder and valve do the trick for you?

______________

(click to see a larger image)

Steering problems (10/22)
4/12/09 1:15am

2tonevette1981
Former Member
Send Private Message

Hillsboro, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1981 beige/bronze

Joined: 3/2/2008
Posts: 148

absolutely did the trick...mine did exactly what you say yours is doing

______________

Steering problems (11/22)
4/12/09 10:44am

Lifetime Member

Lifetime Member
Moderator
Send Private Message

Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#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

Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20128

[QUOTE=ossw1] Well the car still jerks to the right. I did notice when I set at ideal and give it gas you can see the steering wheel move to the right every time I rev it up. So I guess I will replace the Valve and cylinder .[/QUOTE]

If the valve and/or the cylinder is NOT leaking(and you stated you think the valve is leaking), why replace? The steering turning by itself indicates an adjustment issue with the control valve. The adjustment is not that hard to do. Of course, if the valve is actually leaking, it can be repaired, or replaced, either way. Even so, a new/rebuilt valve will still need to be adjusted. They supposedly get them adjusted close when they build them, but....sometimes their close ain't close enough!

There are a couple of threads here on how to adjust the valve...

Here's One!!!

And another

Adams' Apple2009-04-12 07:56:31

______________

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"

Steering problems (12/22)
4/12/09 11:42am

2tonevette1981
Former Member
Send Private Message

Hillsboro, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1981 beige/bronze

Joined: 3/2/2008
Posts: 148

Adam is correct...if they are not leaking no need to replace...what I did to adjust is I took the cap over the adjustment nut off and drove it to see which way it pulled and would stop, turn the steering wheel as far right as possible to get access to the adjustment nut and make a small adjustment and would drive it again and repeat until it stopped pulling...make sure you turn off the engine before adjusting. If you should adjust it too much the steering could violantly swing the other way and hurt you while your arm is in there...TURN THE ENGINE OFF !!!!!!!

______________

Steering problems (13/22)
4/12/09 5:51pm

rraider1
Former Member
Send Private Message

Woodland, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1977 T-Top,350,Auto Black Ruby Pearl,Steeroids R&P conversion

Joined: 10/14/2003
Posts: 1165

The problems with the steering control valve and my steering box being worn, is it what convince me to put the steeroids rack and pinion on Mine. I went through 3 control valve in the 12 years I have owned my 77. You should be able to jack the front up and adjust the valve for centering. if you have to make further adjustments, i would say the valve is defective. I would replace the control Valve.

Is their not a pressure releif valve on the power steering pump to keep the pressure within limits, if someone replaced the power steering pump their was is fittings that need to be transfered.

Steering problems (14/22)
4/13/09 10:11pm

ossw1
Former Member
Send Private Message

Rocklin, CA - USA

Vette(s):
1970 T-Top350/350hp numbers matching 4 speed. It's a mess and 1970 Convertible 4 speed.

Joined: 4/2/2005
Posts: 484

Hey I have had 2 power steering control valves thst have leak? So adjusting the valve will take car of this? I have look at the valves and don't see where I could adjust them.

Steering problems (15/22)
4/13/09 10:55pm

Lifetime Member

Lifetime Member
Moderator
Send Private Message

Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#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

Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20128

IF the valve is out of adjustment, then yes, correcting the adjustment will cure the tendency for the car to dart, and the wheel to turn by itself.

It will not stop a leak, tho.
The adjustment is under the metal cap on the end of the valve, similar to the dust-cap on the front wheel hubs, where the bearings are. I'll see if I can locate a decent pic...

Please read thru the above linked threads for the procedure, AND the safety cautions!Adams' Apple2009-04-13 20:06:10

______________

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"

Steering problems (16/22)
4/16/09 9:41pm

ossw1
Former Member
Send Private Message

Rocklin, CA - USA

Vette(s):
1970 T-Top350/350hp numbers matching 4 speed. It's a mess and 1970 Convertible 4 speed.

Joined: 4/2/2005
Posts: 484

Adam thanks for the pic's. Put the car up on jacks pop off the cap started the engine and did as instructed. Now she drive's straight and true. On to the next thing which will be taking out the radiator for a clean and test. There seems to be a small leak around the neck. Once again THANKS

Steering problems (17/22)
4/16/09 10:44pm

Lifetime Member

Lifetime Member
Send Private Message

Dorr, MI - USA

Vette(s):
71 Colonnade Hardtop Coupe Torch Red with black interior originally L48 built to push around 360hp

Joined: 8/21/2002
Posts: 2581

After reading this post I went and looked at the spot where I store the Vette looking for possible engine oil leaks. Well no engine oil but a nice puddle of PS fluid was there. Got her up in the air and there was fluid leaking out of the control valve dust cap. Got a valve, popped it in, and I didn't even have to adjust it. Man I tell ya, I had no idea how bad that car was steering until I did this.

Thanks for postin Dave. This thread told me just what to do.

______________

Click on images for Before and After pics!

Steering problems (18/22)
4/16/09 11:27pm

ossw1
Former Member
Send Private Message

Rocklin, CA - USA

Vette(s):
1970 T-Top350/350hp numbers matching 4 speed. It's a mess and 1970 Convertible 4 speed.

Joined: 4/2/2005
Posts: 484

Thats the beauty of this web site. A group of individuals sharing there passion.

Steering problems (19/22)
4/17/09 12:02am

dskopp
Limited Member
Send Private Message

Oak Creek, WI - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Great White Shark. Red Interior, 350/190hp. PS, PB (SS), A/C CC, T-Tops, Going to remain as Stock as possible. Served three years in Active Duty Army, then Retired Air Force after 34 years! Badger State Vetts Car Club. 175,000 Original miles!!

Joined: 5/21/2008
Posts: 1958

We all love the satisfaction of helping!!!!

______________

(click to see a larger image)

Steering problems (20/22)
1/14/10 5:17pm

frstvette
Former Member
Send Private Message

Fresno, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1980 corvette

Joined: 1/15/2007
Posts: 240

can someone give me the link for control valve adjust?

______________

Steering problems (21/22)
1/14/10 8:07pm

rraider1
Former Member
Send Private Message

Woodland, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1977 T-Top,350,Auto Black Ruby Pearl,Steeroids R&P conversion

Joined: 10/14/2003
Posts: 1165

a good web site

http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com

The control valve must be adjusted after being disassembled as outlined in the following procedure.

1. Install the valve in the vehicle, but leave the dust cap off. Connect all hoses and fill the pump reservoir with oil. Do not connect the piston rod to the frame bracket.

2. With the car's front end off the ground, start the engine. One of the following two conditions will exist:
A) If the piston rod remains retracted, turn the adjusting nut clockwise until the rod begins to move out. Then turn the nut counterclockwise until the rod just begins to move in. Now turn the nut clockwise to exactly one-half the rotation needed to change the direction of the piston rod movement.
B) If the rod extends upon starting the pump, move the nut counterclockwise until the rod begins to retract, then clockwise until the rod begins to move out again. Now position the rod to exactly one-half the rotation needed to change the direction of the piston rod movement.
CAUTION: Do not turn the nut back and forth more than is absolutely necessary to balance the valve.

3. With the valve balanced, it should be possible to move the rod in and out manually.

4. Turn off the engine and connect the cylinder rod to the frame bracket.

5. Restart the engine. If the front wheels (still off the ground) do not turn in either direction from center, the valve has been properly balanced. Correct the valve adjustment if necessary.

6. When the valve is properly adjusted, grease the end of the valve and replace the dust cap.

Steering problems (22/22)
1/14/10 11:10pm

dskopp
Limited Member
Send Private Message

Oak Creek, WI - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Great White Shark. Red Interior, 350/190hp. PS, PB (SS), A/C CC, T-Tops, Going to remain as Stock as possible. Served three years in Active Duty Army, then Retired Air Force after 34 years! Badger State Vetts Car Club. 175,000 Original miles!!

Joined: 5/21/2008
Posts: 1958

Hope this info solves everybody's problems!!

Dan

______________

(click to see a larger image)

Our Sponsors help support C3VR