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Topic: Steering problems

in Forum: C3 Handling Components


Steering problems

Posted: 4/5/09 7:33pm Message 1 of 22
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Rocklin, CA - USA
Joined: 4/2/2005
Posts: 484
Vette(s): 1970 T-Top350/350hp numbers matching 4 speed. It's a mess and 1970 Convertible 4 speed.
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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Steering problems

Posted: 4/6/09 5:14am Message 2 of 22
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
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 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.


Joel Adams
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Steering problems

Posted: 4/6/09 3:09pm Message 3 of 22
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Rocklin, CA - USA
Joined: 4/2/2005
Posts: 484
Vette(s): 1970 T-Top350/350hp numbers matching 4 speed. It's a mess and 1970 Convertible 4 speed.
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?


Steering problems

Posted: 4/6/09 3:20pm Message 4 of 22
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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!
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



Steering problems

Posted: 4/6/09 3:30pm Message 5 of 22
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Rocklin, CA - USA
Joined: 4/2/2005
Posts: 484
Vette(s): 1970 T-Top350/350hp numbers matching 4 speed. It's a mess and 1970 Convertible 4 speed.
Ok I will do that and see what happens.


Steering problems

Posted: 4/6/09 3:32pm Message 6 of 22
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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!
okee dookie.  Let us know what you find out !!
Approve



Steering problems

Posted: 4/6/09 9:55pm Message 7 of 22
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Hillsboro, TX - USA
Joined: 3/2/2008
Posts: 148
Vette(s): 1981 beige/bronze
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



Steering problems

Posted: 4/11/09 6:16pm Message 8 of 22
Former Member
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Rocklin, CA - USA
Joined: 4/2/2005
Posts: 484
Vette(s): 1970 T-Top350/350hp numbers matching 4 speed. It's a mess and 1970 Convertible 4 speed.
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 .


Steering problems

Posted: 4/11/09 7:37pm Message 9 of 22
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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?


Steering problems

Posted: 4/11/09 10:15pm Message 10 of 22
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Hillsboro, TX - USA
Joined: 3/2/2008
Posts: 148
Vette(s): 1981 beige/bronze
absolutely did the trick...mine did exactly what you say yours is doing



in Forum: C3 Handling Components


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