camaroneil

hi,
i think this is where most of my steering play is coming from,
there is a LOT of sideways movement where the pitman arm joins the power steering valve,
is this correct???
if not, will a rebuild kit be ok or will i have to buy a new valve???
if you look here http://store.yahoo.com/zipproducts/s...ing-valve.html
it's where the arm joins onto the stud where the play is,
thanks in advance,
neil

The_Dude

No, that's not correct. A new valve will fix the problem. I don't know if the rebuild kit comes with enough parts to fix it.

camaroneil

thanks,
will it be ok to drive for a week or so????
neil

The_Dude

I wouldn't drive it far. With it wiggling around, I think it could possibly elongate the hole in the pitman arm, making it necessary to replace that as well. I think that happened to someone else here on the forum. A friend of mine had exactly the same problem with his valve. We replaced the valve with one from Autozone. I think it was $100 + the core charge. All was well after the replacement. Good luck.

drnerve

:iagree: Replace the power steering valve, it will be amazing the difference! LOL Pat

camaroneil

hi, thanks,
it's actually tight on the pitman arm, the nut is tight and there's no play there, it's the part that goes into the valve where the play is,
is this still dangerous????
neil

Yeller81

Was the Car running or not . I had play when the car was off but when running everything was Good n Tight. Just a thought.
:steering:

camaroneil

it's got lots of play while it's not running, but seems even more when running,
neil

The_Dude

I've never had one of these valves apart, so I can't comment on the possible consequenses of driving it. My advice is not to drive it if you don't have to, and if you do, take it easy. Good luck. :cheers:


[Modified by The_Dude, 9:57 AM 7/17/2003]

dogboy

Like the dude said :iagree: Replace the valve assembly. I had this go on me and when replaced it felt nice & tight.

Richard Cooper

Neil,
I had the same problem on my 81. I replaced the valve with a rebuilt one from Auto Zone and its been fine for over two years now. The valve cost me 79.00. Plus its guaranteed for life. :seeya

Wrecked82

Happening to someone else was probably me.

I ordered a new pitman arm and new control valve. They fit together tightly. In fact, you end up pulling the stud into the pitman arm hole. Mine was elongated and driving was an experience, to say the least.

A pitman arm is, what, $50? Not worth scrimping on this vital part of the steering assembly. Ended replacing the equivalent of the pitman arm on the right side also, when I replaced my control arm bushings. New everything is nice and tight.

adam

Okay, be careful here.

The stud (that attaches the pitman arm to the valve) SHOULD be able to move side
to side. This is what causes the valving to move the fluid in one direction or the other.
So, if you pack this tight with grease or somehow make it tight, you will not have any
power steering effects.

Best would be to compare with another one.

camaroneil

oh,
blimey, you may have just saved me a load of money,
i'm in the uk and don't know anyone else with a one anywhere near,
i'll have a look at my 1980 camaro and see if it's the same,
many thanks for that,
neil

Jim Shea

Your 80 Camaro does not have the same type of power steering system as your C3. The Camaro has a recirculating ball gear with an integral power assist cylinder inside it. The control valve is also built into the gear. The power steering hoses connect from the pump directly to the power steering gear.

Your C3 has a recirculating ball manual steering gear. The assist cylinder is a separate cylinder that attaches to the frame and to the steering linkage. The control valve is attached between the pitman arm and the linkage. The power steering hoses connect from the pump to the control valve and a separate set of hoses connect from the control valve to the assist cylinder.

The stud coming out of your control valve should be very securely attached to your pitman arm. You should be able to see a small amount of motion between the stud and the control valve itself when you steer with the car stationary. (A small amount of movement with your engine running, a somewhat greater amount with the engine off.)

There is quite a bit of control valve information posted at http://www.corvettefaq.com in the Steering section.

camaroneil

many thanks for the help guys,
neil

goofygrin

If you go to separate these, make sure you don't use a "pickle fork" and hammer or you will tear up the boot, and possibly the place where the bolt going to the pitman arm sits. You should use a bolt puller of some sort.