C2 Power Steering Piston Rod not possible to move manually after balanced

[Hans R.]

I have replaced the power steering components, except the pump, on my 1966 Corvette with parts from LoneStar.
I have followed the procedure of bleeding the system and carefully balancing the valve. According to manuals you
should be able to move the piston rod in and out manually after balancing the valve. In my case I cannot do this.
I have tried with both engine running and stopped. During balancing the piston rod moves in and out as it should.
Does this mean that I have not been successful in the balancing act? I have not yet connected the piston rod to the
frame bracket. When I start the engine, the piston rod does not move in any direction so it seams it is balanced correctly.
Does anyone have any idea why I'm not able to move the piston rod manually?

[Timothy B.]

Re: C2 Power Steering Piston Rod not possible to move manually after balanced

Hans,

If the manuals say that the piston rod can be moved manually what they mean is that manually means turning the balancing nut in and out.

I think you are fine. :-)

[Hans R.]

Re: C2 Power Steering Piston Rod not possible to move manually after balanced

Timothy,
Thanks for your answer. But please watch this youtube video and go 7:55 into the movie where you can see what I'm talking about.
I can not move the piston rod as shown in the movie.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVdw7x9oEQA

[Timothy B.]

Re: C2 Power Steering Piston Rod not possible to move manually after balanced

Hans,

I see what you are talking about, there is no denying he moved the rod with the valve centered. My thinking is with fluid in the system the cylinder rod will never move by hand without moving the valve by the pitman arm. I may be wrong though, now that I am thinking about it that could be a very important safety factor if the motor died while driving lets see what others say.

I will check in the 1963 shop manual and let you know what it says, if I am not correct I apologize

[Richard M.]

Re: C2 Power Steering Piston Rod not possible to move manually after balanced

I watched it also. It seems odd to me that he moved the piston rod so easily. I would think with fluid in the system it would take more effort. I cannot recall that I tested the manual operation when I installed my last Lone Star Power Steering system on a '67 several years ago.

Hans, I see you are located in Sweden? I suggest you contact Ken at Lone Star Caliper in Texas. He would certainly be able to answer this if no one else can confirm here.

http://www.lonestarcaliper.com/t-contact.aspx

His email address is ken@lonestarcaliper.com

Rich

[Hans R.]

Re: C2 Power Steering Piston Rod not possible to move manually after balanced

Thanks to all. I talked to Ken and he explained that on a new piston rod assembly, the piston rod is hard to move. Once it has been used a while it will move much more freely.