Is there a quick and simple adjustment........

[citruspilot]

-for the power steering valve? My car seems to need the steering valve centered.

I can get to it easily from the left side of the car and pop off the dust cover from the floor. Inside is a nut on a threaded stud. No way to adjust the threaded stud with a screwdriver. So by loosing up the nut what do you do next?? I know there is a procedure and I hear its not that difficult to do.........

Thanks.

Jeff

 

[GTR1999]

Check on www.corvettefaq.com Jim Shea wrote many articles on the steering. Also consult the GM service or overhaul manuals for the procedure. You will want to get the forn tires off the ground so you can adjust the control valve evenly. DON'T put your hand through the steering wheel if you reach through the window to start the car!

 

[brusso]

I think that you have to disconnect one end and let it hang. Then very carefully sart the engine and make your adjustment. I think that you want to start with the rod pushed in fully. Then turn the set screw until the piston begins to move out. Then, as you can guess, turn it the other way until it stops. You may have to do this several times as this is a sensative adjustment. You end up locking the set screw in the middle of the in and out movement of the piston. Good luck.

 

[Bob Chadwick]

Disconnect the power steering ram from the frame by removing the bolt. With the car running (as indicated do not reach between the steering wheel spokes to start the car unless you want to run the risk of a trip to the ER), turn the adjusting nut in the power steering valve one direction or the other until the ram starts to move. Turn the nut the other way, counting the turns on the nut, until the ram starts to move again. Center the adjusting nut between the two points where it turns and you are adjusted.

Because you are disconnecting the ram from the frame, I don't think that you even need to have the wheels off the ground, though it is much easier to access the valve with the driver's side wheel off. Someone else will need to confirm or dispute this.

 

[citruspilot]

OK. I disconnect the steering rod from the frame, remove the dust cap, start the car, without reaching thru the steering wheel which I did already, and that little nut is just turned in or out with a socked wrench? There is no lock nut or screw that turns just the nut right? The threaded stud has no place to insert a flathead screwdriver into it for adjustments. Geesh, I am confused now! This does seem simple enough but I just want to make sure I dont miss anything.

Oh yea, I just noticed that the rubber bushing where the steering rod connects to the frame is all but worn out and about gone. Maybe if I replaced that first that might be enough to put the steering rod back into its original "centered" position and the need to adjust it might not be needed????

Gee, I might have figured this thing out on my own! :eyerole

But thanks for all your help and ideas gentlemen.

Jeff

 

[brusso]

No set screw just a nut. Sorry about the confusion.

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

"and that little nut is just turned in or out with a socked wrench?"

>>>Right

"There is no lock nut or screw that turns just the nut right?"

>>>Right.

"Maybe if I replaced that first that might be enough to put the steering rod back into its original "centered" position and the need to adjust it might not be needed????"

>>>Umm, sort of not right. A new bushing will just reduce the 'slop' in the steering. Being 'centered' means equal pressure pushing on each side of the ram, ie no movement in either direction and not the physical position of the ram itself in the cylinder. You'll see once you get through the adjustment.

 

[Bob Chadwick]

I would make sure I replaced that bushing while you have it apart.