Vince retired US Army
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2nd Gear
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: WESTERVILLE OHIO
Vince retired US Army
Hello all just bought a 1982 C3 Vette, love it it needs a little work, the power steering don't work, i see the P/S pump leakings a little but it don't whine while i turn the wheel, i jacked up the front and it stills feels hard to turn any ideas what the problem may be, any help would be appreicated
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
Well going to start saying guess you got a little luckier then me you got retired.
But the car.
If the power steering does not work. Leak or not first thing to do, fill it up.
The best way I have found to bleed any system is to jack the front up, and turn the wheel. The gear box/rack,pinion will move air out of the system.
If it still does not work it is more then likely the pump.
Does the car steer "normally" I realize it will be hard to turn the wheel but is it otherwise smooth, no rough or tough spots?
If not really leads to a bad pump.
For the leak, clean it all off, even if it's just wiping it off.
Fill it, start it and shut it off. Don't run it long, sounds like you have a bad leak, start looking for it.
You need to find the leak or you will just have the same problem.
But the car.
If the power steering does not work. Leak or not first thing to do, fill it up.
The best way I have found to bleed any system is to jack the front up, and turn the wheel. The gear box/rack,pinion will move air out of the system.
If it still does not work it is more then likely the pump.
Does the car steer "normally" I realize it will be hard to turn the wheel but is it otherwise smooth, no rough or tough spots?
If not really leads to a bad pump.
For the leak, clean it all off, even if it's just wiping it off.
Fill it, start it and shut it off. Don't run it long, sounds like you have a bad leak, start looking for it.
You need to find the leak or you will just have the same problem.
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,597
Likes: 7,046
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Congratulations on the retirement!
Double congrats on the Corvette!
Triple congrats on repairing it before the car or You get damaged!
Like the other member said.....(Use jackstands/put transmission in PARK/apply parking brake/ and block the back wheels so the car will not move or roll while the front end is on jackstands)......Clean the area and the pump good and wipe the area off......fill the pump with new power steering fluid/start the engine/turn the steering wheel left and right 5-10 times/turn engine off/look for spot where leak is coming from.....
Take pics and post them in this thread.
BE CAREFUL!
Double congrats on the Corvette!
Triple congrats on repairing it before the car or You get damaged!
Like the other member said.....(Use jackstands/put transmission in PARK/apply parking brake/ and block the back wheels so the car will not move or roll while the front end is on jackstands)......Clean the area and the pump good and wipe the area off......fill the pump with new power steering fluid/start the engine/turn the steering wheel left and right 5-10 times/turn engine off/look for spot where leak is coming from.....
Take pics and post them in this thread.
BE CAREFUL!
with Door Gunner
And thank you for your service.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 800
Likes: 15
From: Currently Buffalo NY, originally from MI
I can't help much with the P/S issue, but welcome to the C3 Fraterinty, and from a Puddle Pirate to a retired Grunt, thank you for your service. These guys have been a huge help to me keeping my '79 on the road. I am sure they will do the same for you!
Terrorizing Orange Cones
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,572
Likes: 17
From: Northern CO
Look for steering gear information from Jim Shea. He's the resident expert here on Saginaw steering systems that are installed in C3 cars.
If there are no visible leaks or obvious damage to the pwr steering pump, it may be that your power ram may need adjustment. Jim's papers will describe the process.
Please accept my humble thanks for your service, taking care of business during your career.
Welcome to the forum and hopefully, someone will chime in with better details.
If there are no visible leaks or obvious damage to the pwr steering pump, it may be that your power ram may need adjustment. Jim's papers will describe the process.
Please accept my humble thanks for your service, taking care of business during your career.
Welcome to the forum and hopefully, someone will chime in with better details.
