Rack Issue
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 307
Likes: 4
From: Thousand Oaks Calif.
Rack Issue
I have a 1981 C3 that for a number of years has dripped some power steering fluid. I had a mechanic say that the leak was not from the power steering pump or hoses but from the rack and pinion. The leak was not enough to matter just a nascence.
For as long as I have had the car (10 years) there has been maybe 3 or 4 inches of play in the steering that I was told was due to the steering box being warn.
This weekend I went for a long ride on the PCH and when I got home had a lot of power steering noise and noticed that the slow leak of power steering fluid was now a fast leak.
Seems like the rack finally failed so here are some questions.
1) If the rack has failed do I replace it with a stock one or something aftermarket?
2) Can the rack cause the play in the steering or should I also replace the steering box?
a. Do I replace the steering box with a standard unit or something aftermarket?
3) Anything else I should change while I have this all out?
For as long as I have had the car (10 years) there has been maybe 3 or 4 inches of play in the steering that I was told was due to the steering box being warn.
This weekend I went for a long ride on the PCH and when I got home had a lot of power steering noise and noticed that the slow leak of power steering fluid was now a fast leak.
Seems like the rack finally failed so here are some questions.
1) If the rack has failed do I replace it with a stock one or something aftermarket?
2) Can the rack cause the play in the steering or should I also replace the steering box?
a. Do I replace the steering box with a standard unit or something aftermarket?
3) Anything else I should change while I have this all out?
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
If your car has the stock steering system you do not have a rack. Fire your mechanic. You have a power steering control valve, a steering cylinder and the PS pump. If he is calling the steering cylinder a rack he is misinformed. But all 3 components do have a tendancy to leak. Only replace what is leaking.
The steering play could be the rag joint. Could be the steering box also. Have a knowledgeable corvette person look at it and tell you what needs replacing.
The steering play could be the rag joint. Could be the steering box also. Have a knowledgeable corvette person look at it and tell you what needs replacing.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,839
Likes: 45
From: nassau co. new york
i agree 100% find a c3 corvette guy to trouble shoot the system.first picture is a rack,second is what you have,a rube goldberg series of joints and levers that leaves many avenues for play in the steering. 
