play in steering

hi everyone i have been reading your discusions but have
never written in. i have a blue 71 with power steering
and have changed everthing to do with steering and suspension.
but i still have play at the power control valve, this
makes play in the steering wheel and makes for a very darty
feel. how many of you have the same condition. i have considered
changing over to rack and pinion. any advise is welcome,
thank you

|UPDATED|11/11/2003 6:26:51 PM|/UPDATED|

my steering wheel moves quitea bit(2"+) while moving without the car turning at all. Been a few weeks since i last had her on the road so I don't remember if she is "darty" or not. I've been told that this is fiarly normal in an older GM and that it is possible to tighten. Not sure HOW exactly but if you e-mail me and remind me I'll track them down and ask for yah!

Scot

This Post talks about Steeroids(not sure what it is, but last poster claims it removes the play) Worth checking the archives no? http://www.VetteRegistry.net/vrforums/message_go.asp?MID=12907

|UPDATED|11/13/2003 5:52:05 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

I have the same problem. I'm planning on replacing the 4 hoses, ram & valve, and maybe idler arm and tie rod ends.

My steeroids kit is 2.5 turns from lock to lock. 1.25 turns each way off center. Very quick.

do you like your steeroids system, that is a rack and pinion
correct. did you install yourself and if so was it hard.
i guess the play i have is normal cause i have changed everything.

I have a 73, and it too has some play in the steering wheel. Can move it about 1.5" to 2" with out the car going in that direction. It is not an accurate steer when going around exit ramps at high speed! Need both hands on the wheel. But goes straight as an arrow down the strip. Will tinker with it next summer when I have more time and ride it more.

Installed the rack and Pinion kit myself. Piece of cake. I had to put a clearance bap on the header for the turn buckle. I have the hooker side pipes. The turn buckle and clearancing the header was the hardest part. No play at all. Very responsive, almost too responsive if there is such a thing. lol

I have a 75 that had play in the steering and it was a work-out to drive it around town. I replaced the "rag joint" on the steering shaft and that took care of the play in the steering for me. I got my repair kit from Corvette Central but I'm sure that other catalog companies have them to. Check your joint, it may be out of whack. SAVE THE WAVE

has anyone ever heard of replacing the power steering
with manual and then changing the gear box to the GM
power assit box. they used that kind of box on the family
cars in the late 70s, like the olds cutlass. that would
take away all the play and it would be alot cheaper than
the steeroids system. just a thought.

Don't forget to check the rag joint on the steering column also. Its can contribute, but not likely the main probem, but every little bit helps.

Mark