C3 General General C3 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Power Steering Pump REbuild Problem

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 25, 2007 | 02:23 PM
  #1  
SmokinBBC's Avatar
SmokinBBC
Thread Starter
Drifting
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 2
From: Oak Ridge NC
Default Power Steering Pump REbuild Problem

I rebuilt the power steering pump. Or should I say resealed since it was working fine, but leaking badly.

Works just fine and all of the leaking is gone except for some leaking from the shaft seal. I am getting a slight "spray" of fluid that you can see on the upper control arm flap. I think the leak is dripping down on the inside of the pulley and the the pulley sprays it out.

There were no knicks or any noticeable scrapes on the machined part of the shaft and the new seal looked good. I am wondering if I should have used some kind of sealer on the machined part to keep it from leaking.

Before I take it back off and replace the seal, anyone have any ideas on how to get a better seal on the shaft?
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2007 | 02:26 PM
  #2  
CA-Legal-Vette's Avatar
CA-Legal-Vette
Race Director
20 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,683
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Default

Did the shaft itself look nice and smooth? The new seal won't help and won't last long if the shaft is grooved or pitted.
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2007 | 02:29 PM
  #3  
SmokinBBC's Avatar
SmokinBBC
Thread Starter
Drifting
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 2
From: Oak Ridge NC
Default

Yes, the shaft is nice and smooth.

Hate to admit it, but the shaft wasn't leaking before I fixed it The kit had such a nice new loolkng seal, that I just had to replace it.
Reply
Old Feb 27, 2007 | 09:52 AM
  #4  
CA-Legal-Vette's Avatar
CA-Legal-Vette
Race Director
20 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,683
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Default

Originally Posted by SmokinBBC
Yes, the shaft is nice and smooth.

Hate to admit it, but the shaft wasn't leaking before I fixed it The kit had such a nice new loolkng seal, that I just had to replace it.
Truly aggravating when that happens. How badly is it leaking? Might be worth seeing if it seats over time.
Reply
Old Feb 27, 2007 | 09:58 AM
  #5  
Big2Bird's Avatar
Big2Bird
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,837
Likes: 1,027
Default

Originally Posted by SmokinBBC
Hate to admit it, but the shaft wasn't leaking before I fixed it The kit had such a nice new loolkng seal, that I just had to replace it.
Reply
Old Feb 27, 2007 | 12:24 PM
  #6  
C3 4ME's Avatar
C3 4ME
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
Default

I pulled mine apart because it was leaking between the pump and resevoir, replaced that seal and now it's leaking out of the back where the high pressure line goes into the pump. I haven't even gotten the car running either and it's already leaking, so I'm going to take it back apart and see if I can figure out what's going on.
Reply
Old Feb 27, 2007 | 04:06 PM
  #7  
Tom454's Avatar
Tom454
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
Default

Originally Posted by SmokinBBC
... anyone have any ideas on how to get a better seal on the shaft?
One possibility-

You may have damaged the new seal when you pressed it in.

Concentrate the force on the solid outer edge of the seal next time and don't over do it... stay away from the center where it rides on the shaft.
Reply
Old Feb 27, 2007 | 08:33 PM
  #8  
SmokinBBC's Avatar
SmokinBBC
Thread Starter
Drifting
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 2
From: Oak Ridge NC
Default

Originally Posted by CA-Legal-Vette
Truly aggravating when that happens. How badly is it leaking? Might be worth seeing if it seats over time.
It is leaking badly enough where I won't drive it. Just don't wan't the PS fluid all over the front of my engine.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-4

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-5

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Feb 27, 2007 | 08:34 PM
  #9  
SmokinBBC's Avatar
SmokinBBC
Thread Starter
Drifting
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 2
From: Oak Ridge NC
Default

Originally Posted by Big2Bird
Yea...I know...what a dumb azz I am.
Reply
Old Feb 27, 2007 | 08:38 PM
  #10  
SmokinBBC's Avatar
SmokinBBC
Thread Starter
Drifting
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 2
From: Oak Ridge NC
Default

Originally Posted by Tom454
One possibility-

You may have damaged the new seal when you pressed it in.

Concentrate the force on the solid outer edge of the seal next time and don't over do it... stay away from the center where it rides on the shaft.
I pressed it flush to the top of the shaft using a flat piece of metal. The I pressed it just slightly into the shaft using a socket that just fit inside of the shaft.

Perhaps I should not have pressed it into the shaft. Would pressing it flush to the shaft be enough?
Reply
Old Feb 27, 2007 | 08:42 PM
  #11  
SmokinBBC's Avatar
SmokinBBC
Thread Starter
Drifting
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 2
From: Oak Ridge NC
Default

Originally Posted by C3 4ME
I pulled mine apart because it was leaking between the pump and resevoir, replaced that seal and now it's leaking out of the back where the high pressure line goes into the pump. I haven't even gotten the car running either and it's already leaking, so I'm going to take it back apart and see if I can figure out what's going on.

I got my kit at Autozone for 12 bucks. It had all the right orings and seals, and rubber washers. There is a flat rubber washer/seal that goes between the resevoir and pump for the 2 mounting bolts and 1 for the pressure line fitting. If you did not put in that rubber/washer seal in, it will leak like.
Reply
Old Feb 28, 2007 | 07:43 AM
  #12  
Tom454's Avatar
Tom454
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
Default

Originally Posted by SmokinBBC
I pressed it flush to the top of the shaft (ed: housing) using a flat piece of metal. The I pressed it just slightly into the shaft (ed: housing) using a socket that just fit inside of the shaft (ed: housing).

Perhaps I should not have pressed it into the shaft (ed: housing). Would pressing it flush to the shaft (ed: housing) be enough?
If there is a lip on the inside of the housing, it's usually there to provide a "stop" for the seal. In most cases, the seal should be driven until it bottoms on the inside lip. This is probably what you did. It should have been okay.

However-

The socket may have put pressure on the "soft" part of the seal, bending it inward... that would cause the ID to decrease slightly and the seal face to go offset, enough to leak. It depends on which end of the socket- the drive end is probably square cut, the nut/bolt end is probably tapered- most are. Even though the OD of the socket may be correct, the taper would move the pressure point inward toward the shaft centerline.... damaging the seal.

I have done this MANY times on various applications, and realizing what I have done, I don't even bother to continue... I just pop the seal out & get another one.
Reply
Old Feb 28, 2007 | 10:01 PM
  #13  
SmokinBBC's Avatar
SmokinBBC
Thread Starter
Drifting
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 2
From: Oak Ridge NC
Default

Originally Posted by Tom454
If there is a lip on the inside of the housing, it's usually there to provide a "stop" for the seal. In most cases, the seal should be driven until it bottoms on the inside lip. This is probably what you did. It should have been okay.

However-

The socket may have put pressure on the "soft" part of the seal, bending it inward... that would cause the ID to decrease slightly and the seal face to go offset, enough to leak. It depends on which end of the socket- the drive end is probably square cut, the nut/bolt end is probably tapered- most are. Even though the OD of the socket may be correct, the taper would move the pressure point inward toward the shaft centerline.... damaging the seal.

I have done this MANY times on various applications, and realizing what I have done, I don't even bother to continue... I just pop the seal out & get another one.
When I pull it back off I'll have to check if I damaged the seal. I sure did something wrong.

Thanks for the help.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Power Steering Pump REbuild Problem





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:05 PM.

story-0
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-2
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE