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Topic: Leaking Power Steering Control Valves???

in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling


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Leaking Power Steering Control Valves???

Posted: 10/10/03 5:18pm Message 1 of 12
riversidegold
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Joined: 8/25/2002
Posts: 4
I've put three rebuilt Power Steering Control Valves on my 1969 Vette over the last four years. The supplier said the rebuilder (a national company) had a batch of bad parts, and that explained the first two leakers which each failed after a few months. But now, three years later, the third replacement is leaking. Seems to be around the ball stud seal + clamp.

1) Is this typical or unusual for these?
2) Is this fairly easy to repair, or should I get another rebuilt or new Control Valve from another supplier?

Thanks!


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Leaking Power Steering Control Valves???

Posted: 10/10/03 6:48pm Message 2 of 12
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Redwingvette
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Waterford, MI - USA
Joined: 9/13/2002
Posts: 1755
Vette(s): 1973 Red coupe
I've replaced mine three times over the past 8 years. The last time I bought one that has a life time warranty no matter what. So far it has worked for 2 years.

|UPDATED|10/10/2003 6:48:22 PM|/UPDATED|



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

Dewitt radiator and dual electric fans
Borgeson Steering box
 


Leaking Power Steering Control Valves???

Posted: 10/10/03 8:15pm Message 3 of 12
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FLA VETTE
Former Member
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ORLANDO, FL - USA
Joined: 12/11/2002
Posts: 459
Vette(s): 1980 L82 Dark Metallic Green Coupe, Gymkhana Suspension, AM/FM/CB, GM ZZ383....nice....
Mine is also leaking now. I pulled out of the driveway and no power steering. Pulled back in and checked....empty reservoir and it was only a small drip the previous week.|eek|

I am going to replace with a rebuilt one. I was thinking about a new one but I have read that others had similar problems with the new ones not lasting, so I figure I will stay with a rebuilt one. |hammer|


 
1980 L82 (5069 made), Dark Green Metalic (844 made)
Gymkhana Suspension, AM/FM/CB, Sporting a ZZ383......... 

Leaking Power Steering Control Valves???

Posted: 10/11/03 6:36pm Message 4 of 12
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Sarge81
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WEST SENECA, NY - USA
Joined: 12/3/2001
Posts: 2381
Vette(s): 1981 Blue Ice Met. w/pearl ghost flames TKO500 5speed. LS1 Swap 3.45 Dana 44.
I've put 3 in mine over the past 4.5 years. They all leaked during storage over the winter, then really leaked when fired up for the spring. The last one I got has been great for the past year and a half. I got mine from Auto Zone- lifetime warranty. I guess it's a hit or miss thing.
Sarge
|hammer|



GEN III 5.7L "LS6" Engine swap
TKO500 5 spd.

3.54 Dana 44
'69 "N11" Sidepipes
Borgeson Steering Box
Born 8/1981
Sequence #3975




Click here to see more pics of my Vette on CarDomain.


Lifetime Member #26

Leaking Power Steering Control Valves???

Posted: 10/12/03 2:14pm Message 5 of 12
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stingrayjim jr
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SHELBYVILLE, TN - USA
Joined: 7/5/2002
Posts: 3942
Vette(s): 1976 L48 auto

1978 L82 4speed

1994 LT1 6speed
i replace the one in my 76 the first one lasted 26 yrs. hope the new one last that long |wavey| |thumb|


StingrayJim
NCM Lifetime Member #1936

Stingray's '76���������������������������� StingrayJr's '78���������������������������Lil Red '94

(click each one to see a bigger version)

Leaking Power Steering Control Valves???

Posted: 10/12/03 4:50pm Message 6 of 12
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FLA VETTE
Former Member
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ORLANDO, FL - USA
Joined: 12/11/2002
Posts: 459
Vette(s): 1980 L82 Dark Metallic Green Coupe, Gymkhana Suspension, AM/FM/CB, GM ZZ383....nice....
Thanks for the tip on Autozone life warranty. They are a local store here in FLA and a life warranty sounds great. I will see if they have for my year.


 
1980 L82 (5069 made), Dark Green Metalic (844 made)
Gymkhana Suspension, AM/FM/CB, Sporting a ZZ383......... 

Leaking Power Steering Control Valves???

Posted: 10/20/03 10:20am Message 7 of 12
apple76
Former Member
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GREENSBURG, PA - USA
Joined: 12/4/2001
Posts: 259
Vette(s): 1976 L48 RoadDemon carb, Weiand intake, 3:36 gears, DUALS.
I've just replaced the unit on the white princess but now having weird steering characteristics. There is zero resistance in the wheel turning to the right but when turning the wheel to the left, alot of resistance. It seems like she wants to turn right all the time... |headscratch|

|UPDATED|10/20/2003 10:20:37 AM|/UPDATED|



Leaking Power Steering Control Valves???

Posted: 10/20/03 10:32am Message 8 of 12
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Redwingvette
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Waterford, MI - USA
Joined: 9/13/2002
Posts: 1755
Vette(s): 1973 Red coupe
I got my last one from Autozone and so far it has been fine.

Apple76, Sounds like you need to recheck the center position on yours.


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

Dewitt radiator and dual electric fans
Borgeson Steering box
 


Leaking Power Steering Control Valves???

Posted: 10/21/03 7:16pm Message 9 of 12
riversidegold
Former Member
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Joined: 8/25/2002
Posts: 4
I spoke to a very knowledgable guy at Vette Brakes & Products. He said the trouble I'm having is due to the fact the car isn't driven regularly. While sitting, the seals in the Control Value tend to pull away from the walls, then when the car starts up the fluid hits the seals at 200psi and the leaking begins. Those that are reporting longer life are likely driving their cars fairly often. Mine sits during the cold snowy winter.

Apple 76, centering your control valve will definitely fix your problem. The manuals describe the process. As I recall, you jack up the front end so both front tires are off the ground, start the car, and turn the adjustment bolt until the wheels point straight ahead.

Those using the AutoZone parts - do they look and install just like the originals you were replacing?


Leaking Power Steering Control Valves???

Posted: 10/21/03 7:28pm Message 10 of 12
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Redwingvette
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Waterford, MI - USA
Joined: 9/13/2002
Posts: 1755
Vette(s): 1973 Red coupe
Yes the Autozone valve fits just like the ones I have replaced before.


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

Dewitt radiator and dual electric fans
Borgeson Steering box
 


in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling


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