Duke94

I've rebuilt the entire front suspension and steering on my 71, and now the steering wheel is slow to return after going around a corner (you need to help it come back to center). The pump is new, the steering valve is new (not rebuilt) and the cylinder was rebuilt all hoses are new as well. I've balanced the steering valve numerous times to no avail. What do I look for?

Z-man

Just a guess, but it sounds like your front alignment is out. There's nothing in the power steering itself that makes the wheels want to return to center. In fact, if the car is raised off the ground and running, the steering should keep the wheels wherever the steering wheel is pointed...

Duke94

I did have a wheel alignment when I finished the rebuild, but that doesn't mean they did it right. Would it be the caster or camber that is off? The car tracks arrow striaght with no wonder.


[Modified by Duke94, 6:43 PM 4/25/2004]

R. Bruno

Did you also rebuild the steering box?

Bobchad

The center nut in the steering box impacts the play in the steering system as well as the return to center. Too tight and the play is all gone but the car doesn't return to neutral.

vettfixr

It's possible that the alignment shop didn't set up the car with enough caster. Caster tilts the front wheels forward or aft of the centerline when viewed from the side so that when you turn the wheel in either direction the front of the car actually raises itself. This causes the wheel to return when let go because the weight of the front end pushes back down on the wheels and gives them an assist in returning. Caster also makes the car track straight. If insufficient caster was dialed in then you will have poor returnability. With stock components you can only get a couple of degrees caster but with offset upper control arms, like the ones from VB&P, you can get 4 degrees or possibly a little more depending on the car. I'm getting my 74 aligned this week after converting the front end to a VB&P monoleaf and installing new offset upper control arms and larger front sway bar. I'll post the results next week some time.


[Modified by vettfixr, 7:55 AM 4/26/2004]

Tom Johnson

Make sure your hoses are not rubbing the power steering cyclinder bracket that goes to the frame.