Power Steering woes - C5Z.
04-06-2009, 12:25 PM
#22
Drifting
The PS pump and system is a bit of a weak spot on the C5Z. It's a compromise system, designed to allow easy turning in parking lots, and also good feel at high speed.
My pump failed, and the symptoms were the same as sperkins. In addition, I was regularly overheating the fluid. When the bypass valve is active, the pump just spins in the fluid, causing it to cavitate and boil. It also generate heat. That happens at high RPM.
I installed a Turn One pump, after extensive conversations with the folks there. No issues now. I got lucky and didn't have to pull the rack. The pumps are cheap for what they do, and actually add a little horsepower, since turning the pump and causing all that cavitation is robbing your engine a little.
I highly encourage anyone that races their C5 to look into these things. It's one issue that will end your race day fast if you can't fix it on the spot.
My pump failed, and the symptoms were the same as sperkins. In addition, I was regularly overheating the fluid. When the bypass valve is active, the pump just spins in the fluid, causing it to cavitate and boil. It also generate heat. That happens at high RPM.
I installed a Turn One pump, after extensive conversations with the folks there. No issues now. I got lucky and didn't have to pull the rack. The pumps are cheap for what they do, and actually add a little horsepower, since turning the pump and causing all that cavitation is robbing your engine a little.
I highly encourage anyone that races their C5 to look into these things. It's one issue that will end your race day fast if you can't fix it on the spot.
04-07-2009, 08:20 AM
#23
Le Mans Master
04-07-2009, 12:42 PM
#24
Safety Car
I wish I would have know to change mine while I had the engine out. It is quite a pain getting to the bolt behind the pulley. I hope that is all you have to change and not the whole rack.
04-07-2009, 01:42 PM
#25
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
I unloaded the car, parked it on the lift and haven't even been back in the shop since then. I'll hopefully check it out tonight or tomorrow.
04-07-2009, 02:57 PM
#26
Drifting
Some additional how-to information on changing the pump in this thread:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...installed.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...installed.html
04-07-2009, 10:52 PM
#27
Safety Car
I had chronic P/S problems my C4. I had a hose blow, started a fire with the fluid on the headers (now I have a Halon fire extinguisher in all my cars)!, had the fluid boil out of the reservoir, and finally stopped when it got the proper factory P/S cooler.
With the C5Z, and now the C6Z, the factory cooler has been fine. The C5Z has never had a problem, and indeed Roy Benedetti has the C5Z now and got 3rd at Buttonwillow yesterday at an SCCA National. This is swinging new Hoosier A6's and running Royal Purple fluid with the factory p/s cooler. I have 35+ track days on the C6Z with no issues on Hoosier R6's. The point is, if you don't have the cooler, get it, if you do and still have problems make sure the basics are good before you get an aftermarket solution.
With the C5Z, and now the C6Z, the factory cooler has been fine. The C5Z has never had a problem, and indeed Roy Benedetti has the C5Z now and got 3rd at Buttonwillow yesterday at an SCCA National. This is swinging new Hoosier A6's and running Royal Purple fluid with the factory p/s cooler. I have 35+ track days on the C6Z with no issues on Hoosier R6's. The point is, if you don't have the cooler, get it, if you do and still have problems make sure the basics are good before you get an aftermarket solution.
04-08-2009, 10:48 AM
#31
Race Director
Mine started whining badly and I added Redline PS fluid. That fixed it up so far. This is on my old stock C4 pump, but with street tires. I keep thinking it will fail but it's hung in there. I also added under drive pulleys last season. That helped as well. I use a baster to suck out the old fluid every two years.
I've also been thinking of moving the reservoir away from the engine and radiator heat. Mine has no cooler.
I've also been thinking of moving the reservoir away from the engine and radiator heat. Mine has no cooler.
, you know the ZO6cool method of driving.
04-09-2009, 10:40 PM
#34
Instructor
Member Since: Jul 2004
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I'm on the turn one pump, rebuilt rack, and aftermarket cooler as well.
The cooler makes a big difference, especially on my C5 which did not have even the small cooler stock on the Z06. It was also very easy to install.
I'm only running a two row cooler for my PS. In hindsight I wish I had gone bigger.
Get a cooler as big as your oil cooler, mount it next to your oil cooler in front of your radiator, and have at it. I suspect you'll be in good shape even with a stock pump.
The cooler makes a big difference, especially on my C5 which did not have even the small cooler stock on the Z06. It was also very easy to install.
I'm only running a two row cooler for my PS. In hindsight I wish I had gone bigger.
Get a cooler as big as your oil cooler, mount it next to your oil cooler in front of your radiator, and have at it. I suspect you'll be in good shape even with a stock pump.
04-11-2009, 03:48 PM
#36
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
04-12-2009, 05:36 AM
#37
Le Mans Master
04-12-2009, 12:48 PM
#38
Burning Brakes
More importantly get a friendly repair shop. If warranty firm says "no" to upgraded parts, the shop can still do it and simply have you pay the difference. Have done that with other warranty work.
08-21-2016, 09:29 AM
#39
Instructor
thread revival!!!!
Sperkins, what did you do to resolve your issue? I'm running a square set up of 305's, and after one autocross run my PS is pretty much done, and starts whining pretty bad. Has a tiny bit of power steering, but it's pretty tough to turn the wheels if you're not moving. Would a fluid flush work or am I going to be forced to get a Turn 1?
Sperkins, what did you do to resolve your issue? I'm running a square set up of 305's, and after one autocross run my PS is pretty much done, and starts whining pretty bad. Has a tiny bit of power steering, but it's pretty tough to turn the wheels if you're not moving. Would a fluid flush work or am I going to be forced to get a Turn 1?
08-21-2016, 10:03 AM
#40
Drifting
Carl,
Scott can chime in, but I'll give you my .02 worth. You should go ahead and upgrade to the Turn 1 pump. Anything else is just a bandaid until the pump really goes south on you. Quite a few of us have learned the hard way. And go ahead and pony up for the billet pulley to make reinstallation a no-hassle situation. Worth every penny of the $80 upgrade.
I'll also make another upgrade suggestion. The standard pumps are built to 1500psi. I have learned with full aero and sticky 315s, the pump really needs to be at 1800psi. It is another option you can choose and I don't remember if there is a surcharge or not.
Scott can chime in, but I'll give you my .02 worth. You should go ahead and upgrade to the Turn 1 pump. Anything else is just a bandaid until the pump really goes south on you. Quite a few of us have learned the hard way. And go ahead and pony up for the billet pulley to make reinstallation a no-hassle situation. Worth every penny of the $80 upgrade.
I'll also make another upgrade suggestion. The standard pumps are built to 1500psi. I have learned with full aero and sticky 315s, the pump really needs to be at 1800psi. It is another option you can choose and I don't remember if there is a surcharge or not.