Power Steering too strong

[Dough88]

I'm a noob on this forum, but I've searched and haven't found an answer to this "problem". My '69 Chevy swb drives like a dream, but like a lot of '60s vehicles, has one finger power steering. It feels like I could rip a donut at 70mph if I sneezed on the steering wheel just right. Anybody know how to get a little more response through the steering wheel? CHEAP?

[68shortfleet]

These early GM power steering pumps always seem to be very high pressure=equalling the overboost feeling. You should be able to remove the pressure valve in the power steering pump and install one from a 70's or 80's power pump. I dont have any pics of the parts or process, but i have done this the opposite way in order to get more pressure in an off road vehicle.
The other thing that contributes to this feeling is your front end alignment. These early truck were aligned for Bias ply tires. They did not get very much Caster. When radial tires are installed you need to get it aligned to match the tires. Bias tires got about negative 1 to positive 1 degree caster. When you install the radial tires you need 3-4 degrees positive caster.

Jason

[bad_turbo]

Always glad to see new members!! Not sure exactly how to fix your problem, but there might be a restrictor plate you can install in the pump, somehow. You could disconnect the power steering and have manual steering. I have manual steering on 2 of my trucks and they turn fairly easily.

[smoked68]

i hate the manual steering in my truck. as soon as i save up the $800 Im going to get the classic perform kit.
steering isn't horribly bad though...just irritating if i drive it alot.

[Dough88]

Thanks a lot 68shortfleet. i thought there might be something in the pump I could do, but I never thought about the alignment being different between bias and radial tires....I learn something new every day.

[68shortfleet]

http://www.ih8mud.com/tech/woody/ps-pump.html

Try this link. I have never posted a link before, hope it works. This should help a little, but remember that these guys are trying to get more pressure from there pumps, not less pressure.

Jason

[68shortfleet]

http://www.chevelles.com/techref/ftecref29.html

Try this link also. Scroll down about 2/3 of the way and it will discuss the power steering pumps. The info is aimed at the chevelle owners, but the pump designs are the same.

HTH
Jason

[Longhorn Man]

pressure isn't the problem here, if you remove the high pressure line, then remove the fitting that the line goes into, you can replace that with one that has a stiffer spring... or a non broken spring, and this will reduce the ammount of assist.

[Americanrider]

Originally Posted by smoked68

i hate the manual steering in my truck. as soon as i save up the $800 Im going to get the classic perform kit.
steering isn't horribly bad though...just irritating if i drive it alot.

800 bones for a PS setup???? Is it made of gold I did my 67 for less than $65.

[gouldie]

a larger diameter pulley will help reduce the assist

[Sport/Truck]

Originally Posted by 68shortfleet

http://www.ih8mud.com/tech/woody/ps-pump.html

Try this link. I have never posted a link before, hope it works. This should help a little, but remember that these guys are trying to get more pressure from there pumps, not less pressure.

Jason

Are you a Mud member too? Just wondeirng as I am.
s/t

[68GMC454]

welcome from utah...

[jimmydean]

Originally Posted by Americanrider

800 bones for a PS setup???? Is it made of gold I did my 67 for less than $65.

I pulled the box off the '75 my motor came out of. I have seen boxes on Craig's List for $20 and I would think a yard would have one for about the same. With pump and brackets, maybe $70 total.

[Longhorn Man]

Originally Posted by gouldie

a larger diameter pulley will help reduce the assist

Not true. At real low RPMs, you still have full assist. The pump makes a bunch or pressure, and it is regulated... it's not a free flowing pump system.

[Dough88]

Thanks for all the advice everybody!

[69TowRig]

You could go with a smaller diameter steering wheel, that would increase your steeing input!

[Longhorn Man]

again, no it wouldn't.

[6772addict]

Hey, just giving my 2cents. I had the same problem on my 68' and switched both the pump and the gearbox over from a 82' chev. Found it to be a little tighter steering.:

[special-K]

Andy,I knew you had a remedy.Can you point me in the right direction with that fitting/spring?Is there an application to look for?

[68shortfleet]

Sport/truck--no i am not a Mud member, but i do look at it and read the writeups often. Lots of good tech there. Do you have a LC too? Mine is a 76 FJ40 350/350, soa, ps, 4whl disc, rear ez locker, tilt.

Jason

[Longhorn Man]

Tim, I've actually never had to mess with this. Mine have never steered with too much assist. A buddy of mine years ago had a 74 though, his was like described here, and he took the spring from a 72 c/10 and had perfect steering. His spring was broken in a few pieces.

[pumpkin]

The easy feel in the steering is not because of the pump. The way power steering works, is there is a torsion spring in the box that conects the steering wheel to the spool valve in the box. The stiffness of this spring is what gives you road feel. The easiest way to do this is to cange the box. This buy the way is not my opinion, it is the way it works.

[jeffspower]

Originally Posted by pumpkin

The easy feel in the steering is not because of the pump. The way power steering works, is there is a torsion spring in the box that conects the steering wheel to the spool valve in the box. The stiffness of this spring is what gives you road feel. The easiest way to do this is to cange the box. This buy the way is not my opinion, it is the way it works.

Exactly! This is truly how you tune the power assist.

[Dough88]

So does that mean I need to change my steering box?

[jeffspower]

Originally Posted by Dough88

So does that mean I need to change my steering box?

Yes, that would be the right way to go about it. but you won't know what "tuning" a box has until you put it on & try it. If you were to order a rebuilt box, you still wouldn't know how it is set up. Somewhere I have a phone number for a rebuilder- and you get to talk with someone who may be able to build you a box the way you want it. I'll see if I can find the number this weekend. A rebuilt shouldn't run more than $200 exchange.