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Topic: Power Steering System

in Forum: C3 Handling Components


Power Steering System

Posted: 3/22/13 7:31am Message 1 of 3
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Lemon Grove, CA - USA
Joined: 10/17/2007
Posts: 2041
Vette(s): 1982 C3 Collectors Edition 44000 miles, sat in the sun most of its life, My wife purchased it for me for Father's Day in 2007 from her girlfriend that had it for 19 years. It is on the road again. I'm retired but it is now my daily driver.

I replaced the system and everything seems to have gone well.  I say seems because it is of course a power assist system and is not as easy as my other cars.  It seems stiffer.  But that could just be me. 

The thing I do have a question about is one installation procedure talks about putting grease (max of three pumps) into the control valve.  It said ask the manufacture if it is needed.  The second set of instructions does not even mention this.   I guess this could be because they always grease theirs.

There is no grease fitting just a metal plug.  I have not tried to remove the metal plug because I do not want to find out it was a press fit or screwed in or something and there are no threads behind it to put in a grease fitting.  I would assume there is some pressure behind that plug.

Questions:
1.  Should I be concerned about greasing this?
2.  Is there always threads behind the plug?
3.  Is there an easy way to pop the plug out? 
4.  Is the metal plug always designed to be replaced?
5.  Last one if the system was not working how hard would it to steer or on the other hand while I know it is not a two finger power steering system like my Cadillac how soft should it be? 




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Re: Power Steering System

Posted: 3/22/13 9:32am Message 2 of 3
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20218
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 only grease fitting I'm aware of on the control valve is to grease the ball/socket there. Usually only takes about 1/2 pump of grease before blowing out the rubber seal.
I'd say if your valve does not have a zerk fitting. it prolly has a synthetic grease in it, and will last quite a while unless it leaks out, thus no need for a "regular" maintenance shot of grease. Is this a flat metal plug, like a freeze plug, or does it have an Allen head or square inset in it?

As far as how much muscle it takes to steer, it will not be like a Lincoln(or Cad)...it will require more than a finder on the wheel. When not moving, it will be harder to turn the wheel, but it shouldn't take two hands. Once you're moving, it will get much lighter, but still not a 1 finger steer.



Joel Adams
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Re: Power Steering System

Posted: 3/22/13 11:38pm Message 3 of 3
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Lemon Grove, CA - USA
Joined: 10/17/2007
Posts: 2041
Vette(s): 1982 C3 Collectors Edition 44000 miles, sat in the sun most of its life, My wife purchased it for me for Father's Day in 2007 from her girlfriend that had it for 19 years. It is on the road again. I'm retired but it is now my daily driver.
Thanks that tells me we are ok it steers like you described.  An not it is like a freeze plug that is why I thought that I should ask before taking steps to pop it off.   So I will leave it alone.


in Forum: C3 Handling Components


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