Badger56

My just acquired 72 has about 3 inches of play in the power steering. I know it needs a new power steering cylinder and I will replace that. But the play is there when the car is not running but the key is on so I'm thinking it could be something else too.

I will appreciate any advice anyone has
thanks

drnerve

Next places are the rag joint, not because of play, but is probably worn out, and the gear box, just after the rag joint. There are some adjustments you can make to the gear box with a slot screw driver. The gear box may need to replaced. Let us know how you progress. Pat

72GACRZR

Go to http://www.corvettefaq.com

and read steering articles by Jim Shea.
:seeya

OkeeGuy

have you considered Steeroids?

mrvette

Before you spend a nickel on that steering, ...get a mechanic to put it on a lift, and go over the entire thing in front of you and show you the bad parts in place, and the checkout proceedures....IF a good front end shop is not willing to do that, go somewhere else....eventually you WILL find a shop what can/will...and then IF it makes sense what you see....as in loose parts that are obviously bad....have them fix it...or pay their time and DIY....

NOW if you are sayint 3" of play as you are going down the road...that CAN mean a differant thing, and in fact nothing is wrong with the car.... as about 3" of wheel turning is what it takes to controll the typical shark at highway speeds, expecially as the roads are all overloaded by trucks these daze...and grooved out into slots older cars tend to follow...making steering a bear...
as in allways correcting, holding, and correcting again....car all over the road...

GENE

OkeeGuy

i replaced almost every part in the old fashioned and out of date system and it stll sucked...
ditched it all and went to rack and pinion and it steers and drives like a brand new car now...

mrvette

hehe, Sign, My experience exactly, could not have said it better....

GENE

norvalwilhelm

I went the same route as you, replaced everything. Finally rebuilt the steering box and it still had play so out came the steering box again and this time I had a good look at the pitman arm bushings and mine had .006 play and they should be .001. I machined and then honed the pitman bushings for a tight .001 fit and that solved the problem. Even at 100 mph it is a 1 finger deal. I also went for a very aggressive alignment.
I am totally happy with how the 28 year old system steers now. Even with 265 x 50 tires on the front end it does not follow road grooves.

72GACRZR

:iagree:

Those guys know of what they speak. However, are you use to rack and pinon? Maybe it's not as bad as you think. Try to get someone that is familier with C3s (or any pre rack and pinon car) to take a test drive with you and give their opinion. I have a '72 that felt loose to me at first.

:seeya

gotchashawn

Dude, .....STEEROIDS. That's all. :cool:

flynhi

Cheap fixes in order of repair,replacement:
Rag Joint, adjust steering box (see Vette Improvement Program in archives), idler arm, tie rod ends, ball joints, replace PS valve, replace steering box with overhauled unit

Expensive, preferred fix: Steeroids.

Realign with more caster.


[Modified by flynhi, 7:36 AM 7/13/2003]

Badger56

Wow thanks to all! It turned out that the "play" was in the steering column itself and was adjusted out. I still need the control valve and cylinder and will replace those shortly. Steeroids sounds cool but I want to leave the car completely stock

Ganey

W/ Norval. Play can normally be adjusted out if in good shape.
Steering is ex..

:cool: