Gentlemen,

I just replaced both the steering valve and power assist rod. Do not buy these from a local parts store. There are several listed on Ebay along with a rebuild kit if you want to rebuild the one you have. Just put "corvette power control valve" in the search box. It will bring up both the rebuild kits and remaned control valves. The remaned control valves are under $100 and the rebuild kit is around $20.00

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[QUOTE=82delight]From under the Corvette I can grasp the steering column and twist it and observe the pitman arm moving a few degrees before there is any motion in the steering linkage.   [/QUOTE]

I just rebuild my power steering control valve using one of the kits.  It was straight forward if you aren't afraid of the little parts inside, but if you are pressed for time, you may want to just get the replacement valve.  You will need a pickle fork to get it off of the pitman (or whatever it is called).  Whatever you do, make careful note of how the power steering hoses hook up to the control valve - it is easy to get the connections hooked up wrong.

The kit contains only o-rings, seals, and gaskets.  Therefore, if you suspect broken parts or some other problem, you may want to go for the valve itself.  I did mine, because the valve was leaking bad out of the adjustment nut end (the end seal was split).  I did not mind filling the reservoir once every couple weeks or so, but it was making a mess of my driveway and garage.

Unless your ram isn't leaking or is otherwise fine, I would get the kit for that too.  My kits came from Zip.

Hope that helps.

My 76

Lots of good info can be found at http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?page_id=4

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Brian - NCM Lifetime Member

73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System

That play can be adjusted whether you rebuild or not, but it is very unusual to have visible play, so check carefully for damaged/broken parts.  When you are done, there should be no play anywhere in your steering.

Since steering is moderately important, I always replace with a factory rebuilt assembly.

Larry