Topic: Steering problems
in Forum: C3 Handling Components
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On the 81 when I bought it was hard to steer and when I got it home found out that there was not fluid in the pump. So put fluid in the pump and look underneath and it looks like the power steering valve leaks. So when I drove it the steering wheel would jerk right at times. The faster I went the car seem to be all over the road not so bad at at lower speed. Not sure if the valve or pump is leaking I will do the talcum powder test this week. The hoses seem good. So should I replace all of the above? When I test drove the car it ran straight and good.
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The control valve is notorious about leaking. Once you added the fluid, you need to "bleed" the air out, which involves turning the steering wheel from lock-lock several times, but not real fast. Air in the system will cause it to "jump" while driving, until the air is purged. Normal driving should, purge the air, but it doesn't always do it very quickly.
If the control valve is leaking, it can be rebuilt/resealed, you can get an exchange, or a new replacement.
It may also need to be adjusted. There are a couple of threads on how to do that here somewhere.
If the control valve is leaking, it can be rebuilt/resealed, you can get an exchange, or a new replacement.
It may also need to be adjusted. There are a couple of threads on how to do that here somewhere.

Joel Adams
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Hey Adam I drove the car around a good five minutes and it still did it. Should I just sit there and move the steering wheel back and forth with the car running?
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Oak Creek, WI - USA
Joined: 5/21/2008
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Vette(s): 1981 Great White Shark. Red Interior, 350/190 hp. PS, PB (SS), A/C CC, T-Tops. Served three years in Active Duty Army, then Retired Air Force after 34 years! Badger State Vettes Car Club. 175,000 Original miles!! Now own a 1998 C-5!
You need to start the car and while it is running move the wheel from lock to lock. I had a leak and replaced the power steering pump. The rear seal was bad!
Dan
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Oak Creek, WI - USA
Joined: 5/21/2008
Posts: 1965
Vette(s): 1981 Great White Shark. Red Interior, 350/190 hp. PS, PB (SS), A/C CC, T-Tops. Served three years in Active Duty Army, then Retired Air Force after 34 years! Badger State Vettes Car Club. 175,000 Original miles!! Now own a 1998 C-5!
okee dookie. Let us know what you find out !!


My car did the same when I bought it. At low speeds no problem, but the faster you went the harder it pulled. It was the control valve which was leaking. If you change the control valve you may want to change the steering cylinder also. It is notorious for leaking too. I found mine on ebay at a pretty good price and all the usual sources have them also ie ecklers, rics, etc. Once I changed them ran strait as if on rails

Well the car still jerks to the right. I did notice when I set at ideal and give it gas you can see the steering wheel move to the right every time I rev it up. So I guess I will replace the Valve and cylinder .
Former Member
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Oak Creek, WI - USA
Joined: 5/21/2008
Posts: 1965
Vette(s): 1981 Great White Shark. Red Interior, 350/190 hp. PS, PB (SS), A/C CC, T-Tops. Served three years in Active Duty Army, then Retired Air Force after 34 years! Badger State Vettes Car Club. 175,000 Original miles!! Now own a 1998 C-5!
Did changing the cylinder and valve do the trick for you?
absolutely did the trick...mine did exactly what you say yours is doing

in Forum: C3 Handling Components
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