I am having a problem with the steering on my 1980 C3. I changed the steering box out for a new one from Borgeson. It now is very hard to steering and I don't know why. I also replaced the power steering pump along with the hoses and rag joint. I have checked and rechecked the steering linkage. All of the steering linkage is new. With the wheels off the ground the steering turns ok, but not great. With the wheels down it is almost impossible to turn. Has anyone else had this problem. Please let me know how you overcame the problem.

Thanks, Larry

 

Try disconnecting the rod end of the cylinder and see if it still is hard to turn. If it is, then there apparently there is a problem with the control valve or the pump. You did bleed all of the air out of the entire system, correct?

Just out of curiosity, why did you replace the steering box and other parts?

 

The Borgeson kit does away with the power cylinder and the control valve. I changed to this system because the bracket for the cylinder broke the frame, plus I wanted a faster ratio. I have replaced the broken frame. I think the problem must be with the pump. I am going to take it apart and see if anything is wrong. That is the only thing that can be causing this problem.

Larry

 

Sounds like it is either the pump or the new steering box. Does the new box work like the one that GM used to use on their passenger cars?

 

The pump is the same as other GM pumps. I guess I will get a pressure tester to see if the pump is good.

 

You said it steered better with the weight of the car off of the wheels. Was that with the engine running? Is the new steering box a recirculating ball design box?