Home page
SPONSOR AD SPONSOR AD

Topic: Does your steering "center" itself well?

in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling


Does your steering "center" itself well?

Posted: 9/7/05 5:45am Message 1 of 4
Former Member
Send PM
Edgewood, KY - USA
Joined: 10/26/2003
Posts: 339
Vette(s): 1981, Black/Black, Engine bumped to about 400HP.Ext/int mostly stock.

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!




SPONSOR AD:: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)

Does your steering "center" itself well?

Posted: 9/7/05 3:23pm Message 2 of 4
Lifetime MemberLifetime Member
Moderator
Send PM
BINGHAMTON, NY - USA
Joined: 7/19/2003
Posts: 3808
Vette(s): ......
Its probably your power steering control valve,have you replaced it or rebuilt it ?it either has to be adjusted or replaced


C3VR Lifetime Member #93

Does your steering "center" itself well?

Posted: 9/7/05 8:25pm Message 3 of 4
Profile Pic
Lifetime MemberLifetime Member
Moderator
Send PM
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20226
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
Possibly your car has not been aligned properly. Most all 'Vettes have a fair amount of caster, especialy the "newer" C3s. I would suggest taking it to an alignment place that is familiar with, and qualified to align a 'Vette.

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
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"

Does your steering "center" itself well?

Posted: 9/8/05 5:00am Message 4 of 4
Former Member
Send PM
Edgewood, KY - USA
Joined: 10/26/2003
Posts: 339
Vette(s): 1981, Black/Black, Engine bumped to about 400HP.Ext/int mostly stock.

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... 




in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling


SPONSOR AD: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)