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myklash



Joined: 29 May 2017
Posts: 10




PostPosted: Fri May 11, 2018 9:05 pm    Post subject: 68 firebird steering Reply with quote

Having a problem with the power steering on my bird
when turning (especially on sharp or hard corners) it feels like
the front wheels are floating or on ice
feels very unsafe when you can't feel the road
It has factory power steering- 4 1/2 turns lock to lock
could there be something wrong with the steering or is it just me?
would appreciate any help
thanks
Mike
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Larry
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Joined: 01 Jun 2006
Posts: 4768




PostPosted: Sat May 12, 2018 11:16 am    Post subject: Steering Issues Reply with quote

First, you don't mention if this is a new feeling on a car that didn't feel that way before, or if it's a new car you haven't driven before.

It's hard to feel what you're feeling, but I'm quite certain the power steering pump doesn't have anything to do with it. Rather, it sounds like an alignment issue. Especially because you mention on hard or tight turns. My '69 Lemans had a weird feeling "like the front wheels were tucking up underneath" on some turns.

While I never got around to having the alignment checked on mine, I am betting it and yours were/are similar.

I would guess that either (or both) your caster and/or camber are out of whack. A negative caster can make the wheels feel "tucked up underneath you" and the negative camber can make a "scooping" feeling on turns. See chart below.

I would suggest an alignment check before digging into other things. This all presupposes that the suspension is in good shape with nothing about ready to fall off.

Let us know what you find out.

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myklash



Joined: 29 May 2017
Posts: 10




PostPosted: Sat May 12, 2018 6:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

no this is not a new thing - its been like this since I got it on the road - a couple of years ago ( thought I would get use to it )
The feeling is more like the power steering is too strong (?)

The whole front suspension is new

On the hard turns are when you really notice it
because you can't feel the road
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Larry
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PostPosted: Mon May 14, 2018 2:25 pm    Post subject: Power Steering Issues Reply with quote

You may be having a too high of pressure or too great of flow issue happening. This isn't too common on stock steering, but usually when a stock pump is being mated to a new rack and pinion system. Such is what I encountered when I put power R&P into my '40 Pontiac with a 400 engine and stock GM pump. The pump makes more pressure and volume than the R&P wants. You get a super sensitive ("twitchy") steering feeling (or rather lack of feeling).

I had to install a flow reducer in the power steering pump (fits right in place of the one that is there now) from Speedway Motors. Read the description below. Note that this reducer changes the hose to a modern O-ring style, but they sell a small brass piece that fits inside of it so you can still use your older flare style fitting hose.

You may just be one who doesn't like the "feel" (or lack of) in these older cars. Back in the '60s and '70s the power steering systems felt like the car had rubber tie rods! I hated that; GM was bad, but Chrysler was even worst. This flow reducer may give you the artificial feel that you like. It makes the power steering on my '40 Pontiac feel very comfortable.

MFG. Part #91032918
5/8-18 female thread, 3/4-16 male thread, o-ring 200-113(.103 x .562 id) used with 617648030
Info
It is common to use an early GM power steering pump with a Mustang II power rack and pinion. Most who have tried it have found that the steering was twitchy or that it easily darts. This valve reduces the fluid flow from three gallons-per-minute to two gallons-per-minute, which cures the problem. For applications using the O-ring style power steering hoses. Installs in the back side of the pump as shown in the extra photos.
If converting pump from modern 16mm o-ring to traditional 5/8" inverted flare style hoses, order (1) Adapter Insert 910-32921.

See all this at: https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Mustang-II-Power-Steering-Flow-Valve-for-GM-Pump-2-GPM,5852.html

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myklash



Joined: 29 May 2017
Posts: 10




PostPosted: Fri May 18, 2018 11:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'll give that a try
the part is on order - should be here next week
thanks Mike
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Larry
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PostPosted: Fri May 18, 2018 6:11 pm    Post subject: Power Steering Reply with quote

Don't forget the little piece to adapt it to the flare fitting on your stock hose.

Let us know how this works for you.

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myklash



Joined: 29 May 2017
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PostPosted: Thu Jul 05, 2018 8:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

finally got it put in (busy spring )
initial test seems like it works - I can feel the road
need to get insurance back on the car to give it a thorough test
will let you know how that goes
thanks
Mike
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myklash



Joined: 29 May 2017
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PostPosted: Mon Aug 20, 2018 8:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

got a few more miles on the car now
much better
thanks for the help
Mike
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Larry
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PostPosted: Mon Aug 20, 2018 9:26 pm    Post subject: Steering Issue Reply with quote

WOW! That's great. When you build a street rod like I did, you are forced to deal with a lot of things that "never were" before. But, as in this case, it applied to another problem too... cool!

Just as a side note (kinda funny). When I first started investigating this, I contacted a race shop up in Michigan somewhere. That fellow was the first to educate me on this adapter, and he sold one also. However, he warned that it might be too restricting. I asked him "How so?" and he said "Well, let me put it this way. Up here in Michigan we have a lot of deer. With this restricter I sell, if you saw a deer run out in front of you and you jerked the wheel... you'd probably hit the deer." I decided to check elsewhere, and was very pleased that Speedway offered such a thing. And a better one.

Keep us posted as you test drive more.

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