Topic: Does your steering "center" itself well?
in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling
The sterring on my '81 does not center itself very well at all. In other words, when I turn the wheel in a turn, then let off the wheel, it will continue to turn, rather than the wheel returning itself to the straight-ahead position. Actually, it does return slowly, but not nearly as quickly as I've experienced in every other car I've driven. After reading the recent thread about adjusting the steering box, I thought maybe the previous owner had tightened it too tight. However, when I checked, the adjustment set screw is backed out about 1/4 - 1/2 turn from the snug position. Any ideas? Does the C3 have very little caster, which would make this an inherent issue with C3s? I installed a new coltrol valve to stop leaks, but it is centered/adjusted dead-on and I had the non-centering issue both before and after the new control valve. Is this just a natural C3 phenomena or, if a problem, any ideas?
Thanks!

Moderator
Also, if the upper control arms have been removed, it could be that they were installed on the wrong side. That will cause a "not enough caster" problem.
my 2c

Joel Adams
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I put a new control valve in a few months ago. Had the same condition before and after the new valve. I'll look into an alignment job. If that doesn't uncover a problem, maybe the new control valve is also bad...