PS Control Valve

[Gary S.]

While rebuilding my PS control valve, as related in my previous post, I notice that the chamber that the ball stud sits in, has a threaded hole in it, at the very bottom. This hole is suspiciously similar in size to the normal grease fittings on my car. At first, I assumed that this was a pressure relief valve or something, but after disassembly it is apparently(?) a hole for inserting new grease is into the ball stud area. Is this assumption correct? One of the other reasons I assume this is that the chamber was filled with grease when I disassembled it. I cannot find a good picture of the control valve in the assembly manual that shows the bottom and neither the AIM nor the Service manual reference this.

Any ideas or help?

Thank you,
Gary

[Joe L.]

Re: PS Control Valve

Gary------

The power steering control valve is composed of two sub-assemblies: the valve assembly and the adapter assembly. The valve assembly is the end which has the hoses going to it; the adapter assembly is the end with the ball stud.

The valve assembly is the only part of the complete assembly which is "wet" and contains fluid. The adapter assembly is "dry", except for the grease which is introduced through the hole which you described in order to lubricate the ball stud.

Once-upon-a-time, but unknown to many, you could purchase either the adapter or the valve assembly SEPERATELY from GM without the need to purchase the complete power steering control valve assembly. The adapter is no longer available, but the valve end only is still available under GM #7817308. The problem is that it GM lists for $207.95 which is considerably more than a complete, reproduction p/s control valve assembly costs. But, it's less than a complete GM control valve assembly, GM #7825636, costs at a current GM list price of $410.57.

[Joe L.]

Re: PS Control Valve

Gary------

The power steering control valve is composed of two sub-assemblies: the valve assembly and the adapter assembly. The valve assembly is the end which has the hoses going to it; the adapter assembly is the end with the ball stud.

The valve assembly is the only part of the complete assembly which is "wet" and contains fluid. The adapter assembly is "dry", except for the grease which is introduced through the hole which you described in order to lubricate the ball stud.

Once-upon-a-time, but unknown to many, you could purchase either the adapter or the valve assembly SEPERATELY from GM without the need to purchase the complete power steering control valve assembly. The adapter is no longer available, but the valve end only is still available under GM #7817308. The problem is that it GM lists for $207.95 which is considerably more than a complete, reproduction p/s control valve assembly costs. But, it's less than a complete GM control valve assembly, GM #7825636, costs at a current GM list price of $410.57.

[Gary S.]

Re: PS Control Valve

Thanks for confirming my suspicions. I can see why so many folks don't bother with a DIY rebuild and go for a rebuilt unit. What a PITA. I guess I will just get a grease nipple and insert into that hole, unless the control valve is treated like the clutch cross shaft and doesn't get any fitting but instead getting a plug.
Gary

[Gary S.]

Re: PS Control Valve

Thanks for confirming my suspicions. I can see why so many folks don't bother with a DIY rebuild and go for a rebuilt unit. What a PITA. I guess I will just get a grease nipple and insert into that hole, unless the control valve is treated like the clutch cross shaft and doesn't get any fitting but instead getting a plug.
Gary

[Patrick H.]

Re: PS Control Valve

Gary,

Joe or someone else might say differently, but the ones I have do have a zerk fitting in them.

Patrick

[Patrick H.]

Re: PS Control Valve

Gary,

Joe or someone else might say differently, but the ones I have do have a zerk fitting in them.

Patrick

[Gary S.]

Re: PS Control Valve

I got an off line post and it mentioned that the control valve rebuild, including an exploded parts view, was in the Chassis Overhaul manual. I looked it up in my friend's 73 manual and sure enough it is there, clearly showing a grease fitting.

Thanks to all.
Gary
ps, I will be buying my NEXT control valve as a rebuilt unit

[Gary S.]

Re: PS Control Valve

I got an off line post and it mentioned that the control valve rebuild, including an exploded parts view, was in the Chassis Overhaul manual. I looked it up in my friend's 73 manual and sure enough it is there, clearly showing a grease fitting.

Thanks to all.
Gary
ps, I will be buying my NEXT control valve as a rebuilt unit