Dirty Howie

Please disregard if you saw this in tech section


I just had a new steering rack installed at GM dealership. Last one had a BAD leak. Everything feels good except when I was at raod race on saturday the steering would get very jerky and stiff feeling in high speed turns (80 -120 mph).....not a good feeling

It is not tires or alignment as car tracks straight and smooth at any speed.

It has been mentioned to me that it might be power steering unit going bad as the problem seemed to get worse after several laps and better when the car was cooled down. I do not have a PS cooler but never needed one before on same track, higher ambient temps and driven harder.

The dealer told me to bring it in and all they can do is a line pressure test. Obviously they cannot duplicate the driving conditons. And of cours they want to charge me an inspection fee even though they just put the new rack in 10 days ago.

I would appreciate any info or advise on what to do ....


DH

AU N EGL

Powersteering pump would be my guess.

John Shiels

I put a huge cooler on mine. RPM's made it real hot.

AMERICANMUSL

what brand? I'm looking for replacement for my track car and "A" very little room in stock location and "B" stock seems to be only thing out there!

Any feeback would greatly be appreciated!
Thanx---sorry to bust in on your post Howie...Big Willow hammers steering...I replace my fluid every 3rd session...also, look at turn one for replacement pump!

Ed

John Shiels

I can measure it tomorrow if you like. Probably from Jegs or Summit ended all my problems.

joemoia

Howard, when we were talking about the problem at WSIR I never did check the PS fluid level, have you actually checked to make sure the system's full?

Also, draw some fluid out of the reservoir and check the color, IIRC if it has boiled it will look dirty.

joemoia

similar problem

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...power+steering

VetteDrmr

Friend of mine had the same problem at MSR; he put the Z51 PS cooler on and has had no problems since. Bolts right in where (believe it or not) your existing cooler is currently. The existing cooler is nothing more than a loop of tubing; the Z51 cooler has the same loop of tubing, only finned the length of the loop.

HTH, and have a good one,
Mike

Dirty Howie

Thanks Tom

That was Joemoia's guess too. Sounds reasonable.

Problem is to get GM to see the problem without having to take the service rep out to the track and let him fell the steering get stiff at over 100 mph in a turn......


DH

Dirty Howie

I checked it was full and new (10 days old from dealership). Never had this problem at WSIR (or any where else). This is my second rack replacement. Both times I had leaks.

I think the pump sounds like its going to be the issue. I hope GM can rectify this without a huge headache on my end.

.....I will check out the link you left....THANKS


DH

Dirty Howie

Mike

I would have no issues putting in a PS cooler if that is the problem. But as I said I have been on the same track in hotter conditions and running harder without ever seeing this problem before.

First inclination is that something is wrong with rack or job the dealership did.

Second most likely is PS pump is going out and it is only noticable at extreme conditions

Less likely is fresh new fluid is over heating where it never did before.

I did also have the new 402 put in right before the rack. So maybe something with the engine install/serpentine belt.....hell I don't know


DH

Dirty Howie

No sweat ED........

UstaB-GS549

Did they bleed the rack?

Otherwise it could be the pump. I had a similar situation on a C4.

VetteDrmr

DH,

Well, I think you won't regret the Z51 cooler in any case, and it bolts right in. It could be the pump, heat kills them, sometimes fast, sometimes slow.

Also, new racks can run tighter (and therefore place higher demands on the pump) until the metal parts wear in.

Like you, my friend had not had any problems until one DE this summer. He installed the Z51 cooler, flushed out the old fluid, and hasn't had any problems since.

Have a good one,
Mike

AMERICANMUSL

...

AU N EGL

I suck out the old PS fluid before each track event.

varkwso

I strongly recommend the Turnone Power steering pumps as a real solution when you go to replace your pump....

It solved all my problems on an LT1 Camaro....

Dirty Howie

This sounds like a easy/cheap pre track proceedure

What PS fluid do you use .... or does it matter ???


DH

99BlackZ51

If you are on your third rack rack you have probably overheated your PS fluid several times before. When the fluid overheats it blows the seals in the rack. It sounds like your pump is probably cooked now. Install a cooler and use Redline High Temp ATF trans fluid (same fluid you should use for MN6/12).

Scott

Dirty Howie

I have an A4.

You are right ..... this would be my third rack

Are you saying PS and Tranny fluid is the same ????????


DH