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Topic: STEERING PROBLEMS PERSIST

in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling


STEERING PROBLEMS PERSIST

Posted: 3/31/07 2:30pm Message 1 of 9
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Franklin Square, NY - USA
Joined: 4/18/2004
Posts: 116
Vette(s): ' 76 Customized .Mid year rear window ( ' 67 style ). It has an '80 nose,'80 rear bumper , and a 76 hood . Also , I squeezed in a ' 94 Vette LT1 . Paint is a custom mixed BLACK with RED PEARL mixed in !
HELP !!! As most of you know, I've had a steering problem for a while now . Ok, here's the deal . I've replaced : Steering box with a FLAMING RIVER box , installed a NEW steering valve, NEW piston, NEW , ADJUSTABLE UPPER CONTROL ARMS , and ADJUSTABLE UPPER BALL JOINTS. And STILL it's hard to steer !!!
The only other thing I can think of is the STEERING COLUMN is bent from the front ender I had . The FRAME was straightened , and ALL alignment specs are now DEAD ON, thanks to the ADJUSTABLE UPPER CONTROL ARMS .
How can I tell if the steering column is damaged ( short of removing it ) ?
Yes, this is the SAME car I changed the engine to an LT1 . Cry



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STEERING PROBLEMS PERSIST

Posted: 3/31/07 7:55pm Message 2 of 9
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20225
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
Disconnect the column from the gear box(rag joint) and see how hard it is to turn just the column.

Also, do you know what caster specs you have? Too much pos. caster will make it hard to steer, but it would want to stay centered. Does yours stay where you point it?


Joel Adams
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STEERING PROBLEMS PERSIST

Posted: 3/31/07 8:08pm Message 3 of 9
Former Member
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Franklin Square, NY - USA
Joined: 4/18/2004
Posts: 116
Vette(s): ' 76 Customized .Mid year rear window ( ' 67 style ). It has an '80 nose,'80 rear bumper , and a 76 hood . Also , I squeezed in a ' 94 Vette LT1 . Paint is a custom mixed BLACK with RED PEARL mixed in !

The steering hasn't changed  very much even after the adjustable upper control arms were installed.  The alignment was set to factory  specs . It was never this tough to turn the wheel BEFORE the wreck . It steered quite easily . This is why I feel the column MIGHT have been damaged . If you saw the front of my car, you'd see why I say that .

Took it out , and it stays dead on, no floating at all .
Maybe that steering box is  junk right from the factory ? But, I kind of doubt that .



STEERING PROBLEMS PERSIST

Posted: 4/1/07 4:19pm Message 4 of 9
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Australia
Joined: 5/6/2004
Posts: 535
Vette(s): 71 Coupe Black on Black
If you have the collapsible type column and you've had a front end bender, I'd be replacing the column as a matter of safety.  Any collision at the front would have caused the collapsible mesh to have distorted.
 
This could be your problem.



STEERING PROBLEMS PERSIST

Posted: 4/2/07 1:55pm Message 5 of 9
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Franklin Square, NY - USA
Joined: 4/18/2004
Posts: 116
Vette(s): ' 76 Customized .Mid year rear window ( ' 67 style ). It has an '80 nose,'80 rear bumper , and a 76 hood . Also , I squeezed in a ' 94 Vette LT1 . Paint is a custom mixed BLACK with RED PEARL mixed in !
I know this may sound a bit out there, but, is there a possibility that the pump from the ' 94 LT1 doesn't have enough pressure for the '76 steering mechanism ?? Confused


STEERING PROBLEMS PERSIST

Posted: 4/2/07 2:49pm Message 6 of 9
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Australia
Joined: 5/6/2004
Posts: 535
Vette(s): 71 Coupe Black on Black

Ummmmm the 94 pump may just not have exactly what you are saying.  The 94 would be set up to work with a power steering box rather than the old ram system.  Does the 76 have the same ram system as the earlier vettes or a power steering box i.e. the pump feeds the steering box instead of the separate valve for a ram.




STEERING PROBLEMS PERSIST

Posted: 4/2/07 9:52pm Message 7 of 9
Former Member
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Franklin Square, NY - USA
Joined: 4/18/2004
Posts: 116
Vette(s): ' 76 Customized .Mid year rear window ( ' 67 style ). It has an '80 nose,'80 rear bumper , and a 76 hood . Also , I squeezed in a ' 94 Vette LT1 . Paint is a custom mixed BLACK with RED PEARL mixed in !
The pumps hoses connect to the steering valve . No hoses are connected to the steering box .
Other guys have done this conversion without any problem. Seems I'm the unlucky one Angry .



STEERING PROBLEMS PERSIST

Posted: 4/3/07 4:55am Message 8 of 9
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20225
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
The '94 system was for a rack & pinion steering.
It may be that the pump is just not pumping enough. It could be worn, or the relief valve may be stuck. Just a thought...


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 PERSIST

Posted: 4/3/07 1:06pm Message 9 of 9
Former Member
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Franklin Square, NY - USA
Joined: 4/18/2004
Posts: 116
Vette(s): ' 76 Customized .Mid year rear window ( ' 67 style ). It has an '80 nose,'80 rear bumper , and a 76 hood . Also , I squeezed in a ' 94 Vette LT1 . Paint is a custom mixed BLACK with RED PEARL mixed in !
It's highly possible . The engine sat for almost 3 years , although it runs great . Never know what ya get from a junker . Ermm


in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling


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