How hard to work on steering components?

[76L82]

I've been up to my eyeballs with a restoration of a 70 Camaro...so I take the Vette out to the parts store to get something for the Camaro and I hear a 'straining' sound coming from the power steering pump...or so I think...when I turn the wheel.

I check the power steering reservoir and it's basically empty. I notice that fluid is leaking profusely from the power steering control valve OR the power steering cylinder. The fluid is so dispersed over both parts that it is hard to tell where the leak is coming from. I'm hoping that it is just a split hose but I think the PS control valve or the PS steering cylinder is shot.

Can anybody tell me what type of a job it is to fixe these parts? Unfortunately I need to take the old gal off the road in order to save some cash to get it fixed. I just priced my paint supplies for the Camaro...holy crud!!! The cost of paint has to have tripled in price in ten years when I last did a project car!!

 

[wishuwerehere82]

The steering valve is a "through the wheelwell" job with the tire off. The steering rack is an "on the back" job. Neither are terribly hard to do. Just fill up your reservoir and see where it squirting from, then get at it. If it's the steering valve, I suggest getting a new one instead of a rebuilt one. The only hard part is getting the pittman arm off of the steering valve ball. And get some flare wrenches for the fittings, you don't want to bugger them up.

 

[pgtr]

There's rebuild kits widely available - at least for the control valve. Rebuild units can also be had on an exchange basis for your old ones. The older overhaul manuals cover the rebuild of these as I recall. Basically it comes down to jacking the car up and removing the components to rebuild or replace as needed. You might need a balljoint separater. I'd say if the car is old - go ahead and do both along with the hoses all at once.

good luck!

 

[JohnZ]

I wrote a photo-illustrated step-by-step article on changing the power steering control valve in the April '05 issue of "Corvette Enthusiast" magazine; back issues available at (800) 448-3611.