Topic: P/S does not have much assist
in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling
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Former Member
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colfax, CA - USA
Joined: 9/19/2008
Posts: 29
Vette(s): 1973 L-48 Driver quality with some mods
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?
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You could have problems with the power assist cylinder or the control valve. (haven't run into many pump problems, others may help you)
Getting older just means you deserve comfort.
I had completely redone ALL of the Steering components at the time of resto (as normal) spent time setting it to its best, but still just didn't have that feeling I was after. I had the Steeriods on the shelf...but wanted to perfect the steering for future info...anyways I decided to change the steering to see what difference it would make in comparision to a good working stock system.
With that said I just install a Steeriods system had a small length problem with the intermediate shaft nothing serious and I was apparently the first one to have this problem (there is a thread here at C3VR STEERIODS RACK), Steeriods is making me a longer shaft anyways, Once you install Steeriods you will wonder how you drove your Baby with the stock system...many of us will tell you the difference but once you have driven with the new system...the handling is an unbelievable difference that only you can experience, you do use your existing P/S pump everthing is included for a complete bolt on replacement, not hard to do, just takes a bit of time, about 5hrs.
As for the steering effort...it is effortless, handles bbbbbeautiful, I couldn't say enough about the joy of driving the 72 vette.
Hope this helps
John
Former Member
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colfax, CA - USA
Joined: 9/19/2008
Posts: 29
Vette(s): 1973 L-48 Driver quality with some mods
Thanks for the info on your experiance with Steeroids. I am now considering that system even more.
Lifetime MemberHOWELL, NJ - USA
Joined: 5/18/2004
Posts: 6812
Vette(s): 1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.
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!! 
LukesVette 2008-10-26 06:28:54
Cleared everything beautifully!!
I say go for it if your finances will allow!! (maybe one of the better investments you can make these days)
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Former Member
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colfax, CA - USA
Joined: 9/19/2008
Posts: 29
Vette(s): 1973 L-48 Driver quality with some mods
Thanks LukesVette.
Former Member
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colfax, CA - USA
Joined: 9/19/2008
Posts: 29
Vette(s): 1973 L-48 Driver quality with some mods
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.
Former Member
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colfax, CA - USA
Joined: 9/19/2008
Posts: 29
Vette(s): 1973 L-48 Driver quality with some mods
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
Former Member
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colfax, CA - USA
Joined: 9/19/2008
Posts: 29
Vette(s): 1973 L-48 Driver quality with some mods
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.
in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling
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