Zerk fitting on control valve

[chevyaddict]

Hi All;
I put a new control valve on my 81 about two years ago. Of course, the car sat for most of that as I was doing some restoration work. What I'm finding is that its dripping powersteering fluid out of that little zerk fitting. To be honest I never did the balancing process to the control valve and still need to do that. My question is, does your zerk fitting also drip or did you replace this with some kind of little bolt? I actually just went to the hardware store to find a bolt that would thread and they don't seem to make one that small to fit so I'm kinda SOL. Any advice you could give would be appreciated!!

 

[73shark]

Most zerks have a spring loaded ball check valve in them. Sounds like yours either doesn't or it's stuck open. Might try replacing the zerk w/ one that has a visible ball in the little hole on the outside.

 

[chevyaddict]

Most zerks have a spring loaded ball check valve in them. Sounds like yours either doesn't or it's stuck open. Might try replacing the zerk w/ one that has a visible ball in the little hole on the outside.

OK, I can try that. This one has a little ball in it and it is a new zerk. So you are saying you have a zerk fitting and don't have the leak problem then? I thought perhaps I missed something and after equalizing the control valve was supposed to remove this with a plug that I missed or something.

 

[73shark]

Centering the control valve just means that w/o any steering input, the valve will not port any pressure to the cylinder.

 

[chevyaddict]

Ok... then why is this zerk fitting here in the first place?

 

[73shark]

To lubricate the internal joint where the pitman arm connects to the control valve.

 

[Yoda]

Ok... then why is this zerk fitting here in the first place?

That is a good question, and JohnZ provided this answer in an older thread about greasing the front end of a Corvette

Don't grease the fitting on the P/S control valve - it can blow the internal seals, and void the warranty if it's a rebuilt valve; leave that one alone.

I don't recall ever seeing a zerk fitting leak. Most of the problems I've had with them is they get plugged up or rusted closed. You have all the Luck Dawn

Bud

 

[JohnZ]

Originally Posted by JohnZ
Don't grease the fitting on the P/S control valve - it can blow the internal seals, and void the warranty if it's a rebuilt valve; leave that one alone.

That's correct - DO NOT grease that fitting - it's only there for initial assembly of the valve internals.Most rebuilders these days put a threaded plug in that hole instead so some quick-oil-change guy doesn't grease it and ruin the valve.

 

[chevyaddict]

Excellent! Thanks... now if I could just find a darn threaded plug!!!

 

[navy2kcoupe]

Could it be leaking from around the threads and not through the fitting itself?
Andy

 

[chevyaddict]

Already checked that and even put thread tape on it just in case so i'm pretty sure its through the ball but I guess there is no way to tell for sure....

 

[Tom Bryant]

Hi Dawn,

Years ago there was a period of time when new cars were delivered without lube zerts. They had a small square head plug in each location. I don't remember if GM did this but Ford did. I can't say if they were a regular pipe thread or not but they were not regular NC or NF.

In your area try:

Fastenal AZTUC

3455 S. Palo Verde Rd. # 143
Tucson, AZ 85713
(520)670-1896

They should be able to fix you up. You may need to buy a whole box of 50 or 100 but extras are always a good idea if you drop and loose small things like I do.

Tom

 

[chevyaddict]

Oooo cool! Thanks!! I'll check them out!