Power Steering. Rebuild or replace?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 479
Likes: 106
From: Beamsville Ontario
Power Steering. Rebuild or replace?
I have done a search and no clear answer. I have very leaky power steering components. For those of you who have done it, would you rebuild again or just replace with vendor replaced rebuilds. I have heard when the rebuild is done by the regular guy, it's not reliable and you end up replacing. Anyone?
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
From: New Rochelle New York
Power Steering
I have done a search and no clear answer. I have very leaky power steering components. For those of you who have done it, would you rebuild again or just replace with vendor replaced rebuilds. I have heard when the rebuild is done by the regular guy, it's not reliable and you end up replacing. Anyone?
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 214
Likes: 22
From: Satellite Beach Fl
Pro
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 606
Likes: 48
From: Mystic Ct.
Power Steering Cylinder Ball Stud End Rebuild:
How To Replace Your C3 Corvette Steering Ram:
Power Steering Cylinder Rebuild:
Some that I used. Willcox also has a lot of useful videos.
Hope this helps.
Russ
How To Replace Your C3 Corvette Steering Ram:
Power Steering Cylinder Rebuild:
Some that I used. Willcox also has a lot of useful videos.
Hope this helps.
Russ
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,161
Likes: 239
From: Southern CALIFORNIA
I rebuilt the power cylinder and control valve. I bought cheap kits online i think i paid around 20 for each. and got new hoses at rockauto, and a steering pump with no can.
Nothing leaked or exploded when i started the car.
Be sure to lay out all the pieces in order of how they are assembled and how the hoses attach. clean everything really well and use the correct lubes to assemble. It is not too hard. I opted to get a rebuilt pump, seemed cheaper than rebuilding time for me. It also comes with seals to reuse your old can.
The tougher part was probably priming the system and adjusting the ram. but it wasnt difficult, you just need a little patience and extra fluid.
Nothing leaked or exploded when i started the car.
Be sure to lay out all the pieces in order of how they are assembled and how the hoses attach. clean everything really well and use the correct lubes to assemble. It is not too hard. I opted to get a rebuilt pump, seemed cheaper than rebuilding time for me. It also comes with seals to reuse your old can.
The tougher part was probably priming the system and adjusting the ram. but it wasnt difficult, you just need a little patience and extra fluid.
Last edited by NONN37; Jul 18, 2017 at 08:03 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 479
Likes: 106
From: Beamsville Ontario
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,837
Likes: 1,027
I used rebuilt control valves, and they just don't last.
I bought a brand new Lone Star valve, and drop free for years now.
Vb and p has a as sleeved ram I installed 10 years ago. Still works great. NO leaks. My 2 cents.
I bought a brand new Lone Star valve, and drop free for years now.
Vb and p has a as sleeved ram I installed 10 years ago. Still works great. NO leaks. My 2 cents.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,284
Likes: 1,170
From: Hermosa
I rebuilt my control valve and power steering ram about 2 years ago, no leaks so far. Wilcox has an excellent you tube video that will walk you through the control valve rebuild.
I got the rebuild parts off of ebay.
Hoses I got from NAPA autoparts.
Pump was still good so didn't mess with it. Until recently when it decided to start leaking where the pump goes into the reservoir. So now the pump/ reservoir will be replaced.
I got the rebuild parts off of ebay.
Hoses I got from NAPA autoparts.
Pump was still good so didn't mess with it. Until recently when it decided to start leaking where the pump goes into the reservoir. So now the pump/ reservoir will be replaced.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,084
Likes: 96
From: Bowmanville Ontario
ok I'll be the one guy that says REPLACE IT.
I replaced my control valve twice...that was it for me, went to Steeroids Rack and Pinion setup. Much better control and no drips.
Ken
PS. Of course, while I was at it, I dropped the oil pan, replaced the rear main seal, sand blasted the oil pan and repainted it, sanded all the frame parts that the Steeroids touches and painted them first, then smeared grease over the new paint to make it better.
I replaced my control valve twice...that was it for me, went to Steeroids Rack and Pinion setup. Much better control and no drips.
Ken
PS. Of course, while I was at it, I dropped the oil pan, replaced the rear main seal, sand blasted the oil pan and repainted it, sanded all the frame parts that the Steeroids touches and painted them first, then smeared grease over the new paint to make it better.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 479
Likes: 106
From: Beamsville Ontario
Looks like I am going to go the rebuild(myself) route. Pump, steering box, cylinder shaft and control valve. Right now my biggest challenge is to purchase the right rebuild kits. It seems there is some duplication of parts when you are looking at the kits for the control valve. I will be doing some research and contacting Ecklers....I will post my findings...
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,146
Likes: 2,038
From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
Step one, buy a lift. 
Just kidding. Ever notice that guys that recommend a rebuild have good access to the underside of the car? I speak from experience that having a lift makes this a much easier and safer job. Depending upon how much of the work you want to do yourself you can do any combination of purchase and rebuild. If time is an important element to getting it done and back on the road then balance that in the equation. All in all, have fun with it. Best regards, David
Just kidding. Ever notice that guys that recommend a rebuild have good access to the underside of the car? I speak from experience that having a lift makes this a much easier and safer job. Depending upon how much of the work you want to do yourself you can do any combination of purchase and rebuild. If time is an important element to getting it done and back on the road then balance that in the equation. All in all, have fun with it. Best regards, David
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,286
Likes: 8,088
From: Napa Valley California
I'm planning to replace my OEM and go with the Borgenson unit, replace the 44 year old pump and replace the hoses. The Borgenson unit gets rid of two hoses and all the hardware hanging off the bottom of the car as well. I've heard nothing but good things about this mod.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 479
Likes: 106
From: Beamsville Ontario
Step one, buy a lift. Just kidding. Ever notice that guys that recommend a rebuild have good access to the underside of the car? I speak from experience that having a lift makes this a much easier and safer job. Depending upon how much of the work you want to do yourself you can do any combination of purchase and rebuild. If time is an important element to getting it done and back on the road then balance that in the equation. All in all, have fun with it. Best regards, David
Just kidding. Ever notice that guys that recommend a rebuild have good access to the underside of the car? I speak from experience that having a lift makes this a much easier and safer job. Depending upon how much of the work you want to do yourself you can do any combination of purchase and rebuild. If time is an important element to getting it done and back on the road then balance that in the equation. All in all, have fun with it. Best regards, David
And...I have the time....Retired...lifetime holiday with pay!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 479
Likes: 106
From: Beamsville Ontario