C2 Lack of Power Steering Assist - NCRS Discussion Boards

C2 Lack of Power Steering Assist

Collapse
X
 
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • Tim E.
    Very Frequent User
    • April 1, 1993
    • 360

    C2 Lack of Power Steering Assist

    I recently added a Corvette Central power steering kit to a 66 small block with 4-speed. I can detect a small amount of assist but not nearly as much as I was expecting. The assist that I can detect seems to be present when I'm slowly moving and gently turn the wheel either direction. There does not seem to be any assist when I aggressively move the wheel such as when I'm parking or turning in tight quarters. I verified the tension on the pump belt, the routing of the hydraulic hoses, the fluid level, and re-bled the system.

    From checking the archives and other troubleshooting articles, it seems the likely culprit is either the pump or the power valve. I'm willing to buy a pressure testing gauge but don't currently own one so I have not done any pressure checking.

    Has anyone dealt with a similar experience or are you aware of ways to check the pump and the power valve without a test gauge?

    Thanks, Tim
  • Jim S.
    Extremely Frequent Poster
    • March 1, 1986
    • 1392

    #2
    Re: C2 Lack of Power Steering Assist

    Tim,

    Did you tell your wife to move the tie rods from the standard position to the quick position ?

    Jim

    Comment

    • Tim E.
      Very Frequent User
      • April 1, 1993
      • 360

      #3
      Re: C2 Lack of Power Steering Assist

      She did it on her own, in fact she even put in the aluminum plugs in the outer holes! I think I even have a picture! Good one Jim!

      Comment

      • Jim S.
        Extremely Frequent Poster
        • March 1, 1986
        • 1392

        #4
        Re: C2 Lack of Power Steering Assist

        LOL

        I should have known she would do it right ! Unfortunately that was my only thought as to why you have minimal assistance.

        You will have to wait for smarter people than myself to help you .

        I look forward to the seeing the picture,

        Jim

        Comment

        • Gerard F.
          Extremely Frequent Poster
          • June 30, 2004
          • 3803

          #5
          Re: C2 Lack of Power Steering Assist

          Tim,

          I had the same kit from Corvette Central put on at a shop. I had similar initial problems because they used the rear lugs on the spindle instead of the forward lugs for quicker turn. Once they changed them the problem went away.

          However, after a few years I did get excessive wear on one of the hoses between the ram and the valve, I think from an improper orientation of the hose connections at the valve. There is a specific crisscross pattern of the hose connections shown in the AIM. I'm thinking that maybe one of the hoses on yours is rubbing against something and maybe kinking. I would have your wife check the connections, and hose orientation.

          The other thing would be maybe there is still some air in the system. Did you use the bleeding procedure in the Service Manual.

          Jerry Fuccillo
          #42179
          Jerry Fuccillo
          1967 327/300 Convertible since 1968

          Comment

          • Gerard F.
            Extremely Frequent Poster
            • June 30, 2004
            • 3803

            #6
            Re: C2 Lack of Power Steering Assist

            Also check the connections at the ram, that you don't have them reversed.

            Jerry
            Jerry Fuccillo
            1967 327/300 Convertible since 1968

            Comment

            • Phil P.
              Expired
              • April 1, 2006
              • 409

              #7
              Re: C2 Lack of Power Steering Assist

              tim,i have bought brake hoses with obstruction inside, beit a chunk of rubber or what ever,since then i use brake clean and high pressure hose to "flow test" all lines before installation---my restore/rebuilds have come out easier and the hyd lines bleed very quickly on both the brakes and power steering---i would check the hi-pressure valve system in the pump for sticking or ??,good luck,phil

              Comment

              • Tim E.
                Very Frequent User
                • April 1, 1993
                • 360

                #8
                Re: C2 Lack of Power Steering Assist

                Thanks Jerry. I've got the service manual and AIM out and will check out the lines and re-bleed in the next day or so. I appreciate the input, thanks. Tim

                Comment

                • Tim E.
                  Very Frequent User
                  • April 1, 1993
                  • 360

                  #9
                  Re: C2 Lack of Power Steering Assist

                  I just happen to have a can or two in the shop. I assume the Brakleen evaporates so quickly that there is no residual in the lines. Thanks, Tim

                  Comment

                  Working...

                  Debug Information

                  Searching...Please wait.
                  An unexpected error was returned: 'Your submission could not be processed because you have logged in since the previous page was loaded.

                  Please push the back button and reload the previous window.'
                  An unexpected error was returned: 'Your submission could not be processed because the token has expired.

                  Please push the back button and reload the previous window.'
                  An internal error has occurred and the module cannot be displayed.
                  There are no results that meet this criteria.
                  Search Result for "|||"