Fine Tuning C3 Power Steering

[toobroketoretire]

Any time you re-seal your power steering control valve it needs to be adjusted to center the spool. But after centering the spool you'll find your C3 always has a tendency to pull to the right because of the crowns on the roads. It's no big deal for those C3's that only see city driving but for those that get driven a lot of highway miles every year (like mine do) that continuous pulling to the right gets really annoying. To cure that annoying problem just take your C3 out on the highway with the dust cap removed and a 1/4" ratchet, 6" extension, and a 7/16" socket lying on the passenger side floorboard. After driving it several miles and getting the feel for how it pulls to the right pull over to the side of the road and turn the adjustment nut about 1/8th turn clockwise. Then drive it several more miles and if needed give the nut another 1/8th turn or so until you like how it drives. By adjusting the control valve to compensate for the crowns on the roads you'll find your C3 is a lot more enjoyable on long trips.

 

[Hib Halverson]

Typically, alignment service professionals will compensate for "crowned" roads with differential caster settings.

 

[toobroketoretire]

Very Happy With The Results

I ended up giving the 1/4" NF adjustment nut about 1/6th of a turn tighter and now it steers effortlessly on the crowned blacktop roads.

 

[dirtypants]

a little less caster on left is correct and manages crowned roads

Typically, alignment service professionals will compensate for "crowned" roads with differential caster settings.

Correct you are Hib...setting caster slightly less on left (about 1/3 deg less) is part of correct street car alignment and is the way to manage crowned roads and most are crowned.