hamdog

I was running my '98 C5 yesterday at Summit Point. By the last session, my steering wheel kept tightning and going back to normal as if the power steering was going in and out. The car is still drivable but definitely not normal. Any advice?

yakisoba

Look for leaks, look for bubbles in the fluid. Replacing the pump isn't that big a deal, really, if you don't mind renting a pulley puller. Mine was doing the same thing. Replaced, and now very much more normal.

Kanmer

I have a power steering pulley puller and will be at VIR this weekend if you would like to use it. It sounds like the pump is going. Still...look for crimped lines, leaks, etc.

Bob

Z11409

Your PS pump is cooked,add a cooler when replacing the pump.

http://www.turnone-steering.com/

John Shiels

wallyman424

yup, i've had the exact same issue for about a year now. Only happens at summit point in the carousel. I'll be fixing it after VIR this week.

yakisoba

Oh, +1 for the Turn One product. That guy knows PS systems. It's a reworked stock pump. Same installation, virtually the same felt steering, though it's a bit heavier at low RPM (like 900).

spazegun2213

Agreed Turn one makes an amazing pump. It takes like an hour to remove the old one and install the new one....

just do yourself a favor and remember which way the pulley goes back on

jwt1603

Another vote for Turn One. I replaced two stock ones inside of a year, the Turn One is well into it's second year with no problems.

John Shiels

big cooler like I put in is cheap. I put a stock pump back in.

hamdog

Thank you all for your input. The are no visible leaks. I've replaced every fluid within the last month except for the power steering. I'm going to start off with that and see what happens. I have a feeling the pump is fried though. I'll update.

RedLS6

Are you guys sure the pump is cooked? I had the same issue at VIR this year, and I believe the old fluid was boiling. My steering would stiffen, and then go back to normal, around lefthand Turns 3 and 4.

A fluid change at the last event a couple of months ago eliminated the issue that weekend - but I need to put more track miles on it to say with confidence that the fluid solved the issue.

.

hamdog

I hope you are right! Did you replace with a synthetic fluid Redline etc?

RedLS6

I used Redline synthetic. My old fluid was 5 years old. After the tight steering on-track with the old fluid, I pitted and noticed some fluid had boiled out (leaked out?) the top of the reservoir, and the reservoir was low - bottom of the dipstick. Check your fluid first.

If the steering is still good after another couple of events, I'll say with more certainty that it was the fluid. If the problem returns, I'll look into a new pump. BTW my car is an '02 Z06 with a power steering cooler.

.

hamdog

Thanks for your input! I plan on doing exactly that.

hamdog

Update on power steering issue. I replaced the fluid with Redline synthetic fluid and checked the belts etc. to make sure everything is in order. Last Friday at summit, the problem persisted after 10 minutes of being on the track. It looks like the 10 year old pump (no cooler on my '98 BTW) is now done. I just ordered the Turn One T40Y (high pressure) pump. That should take care of the problem.
Thanks for the input and Turn One recommendation. Jeff has been responsive, informative and great to work with.