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I have a 77 that had not been started in 10 years. It has a power steering leak in hydraulics under driver seat area. I called a mechanic shop and he thought maybe 2k to 3k to fix according to his vette guy on staff. This seemed insane. I know from a little research here this leakage is a common problem. Since the car hasn't run in a decade I am wondering if there is a chance it just needs to pump powersteering fluid to reseal hydraulics? I put in half a quart and it doesn't squeal and turns fine. Still leaking. Thanks for any ideas.
I have a 77 with factory power steering as well. And I've repaired mine countless times. And it really works well.
So, in answer to your question.
Sorry I believe it's highly unlikely that your leaks will magically heal themselves. Old rubber seals just perish.
And secondly, you need to find another mechanic. That is a totally insane estimate.
My 77 leaked. The steering gear box was scary on the road. I installed a Borgeson power steering with the frame rail bracket myself for $800 - $900. It's night and day difference. Even when new the stock power steering will leak.
Where is the leak coming from? EXACTLY!! A leak in the C3 P/S system can be as simple as replacing the hoses ($100), or the control head. The actuator cylinder can leak at the rod end, but that's about it; they almost never go bad unless you run over a big rock!!
$3000- should cover two Borgeson steering swaps (if you can find a steering box). You wouldn't have any leaks, though.
How is it leaking under the driver's seat? There are no power steering lines back there. Do you have an automatic? Is it transmission fluid leaking from the trans cooler lines?
It has a power steering leak in hydraulics under driver seat area. I called a mechanic shop and he thought maybe 2k to 3k to fix according to his vette guy on staff. This seemed insane.
First off: "under the driver seat area" for power steering isn't a thing. A pic would go far to helping us understand. The only way I can see power steering fluid on the underside of the seat area is that it must be blown back from under-car air movement while driving. For that to happen, the fittings or hoses must be pretty wet with fluid... is that the way it is?
$2k-$3k is pretty darned high - did they provide a written estimate to show you where that money was going? It's a pretty simple system with just 3 components (pump, valve, ram) and 4 hoses. Everything is very easy to access.
What I'd do is use brake cleaner on all the connections and hoses to get them oil-free. Check each connection on the pump and valve to make sure they're snug. Top the system with fluid, run the engine/PS pump, and try to find the source of the leaking. That should narrow down to what may need further attention.
Last edited by barkingrats; May 16, 2025 at 11:27 PM.
I have a 77 with factory power steering as well. And I've repaired mine countless times. And it really works well.
So, in answer to your question. Sorry I believe it's highly unlikely that your leaks will magically heal themselves. Old rubber seals just perish.
And secondly, you need to find another mechanic. That is a totally insane estimate.
I don't that he is expecting the leaks to "magically heal themselves"
Since your location is a secret, none of the members can give you the name of a competent shop in your area. Unfortunately, the power steering system, like many others on old Corvettes, are completely different from those found on more modern cars. You will need to learn to do the work yourself or find a shop that KNOWS old cars. Lots of places are happy to take your money, and don’t know anything about old C3 Corvettes. Good Luck
Since your location is a secret, none of the members can give you the name of a competent shop in your area. Unfortunately, the power steering system, like many others on old Corvettes, are completely different from those found on more modern cars. You will need to learn to do the work yourself or find a shop that KNOWS old cars. Lots of places are happy to take your money, and don’t know anything about old C3 Corvettes. Good Luck
hey all sorry for being such a newbie! I have never worked on these before. All your comments are super helpful. I can't lift it my self now as had to move it. I think based on all the comments I can find a way to accurately assess what it needs now. Thank you!
First off: "under the driver seat area" for power steering isn't a thing. A pic would go far to helping us understand. The only way I can see power steering fluid on the underside of the seat area is that it must be blown back from under-car air movement while driving. For that to happen, the fittings or hoses must be pretty wet with fluid... is that the way it is?
$2k-$3k is pretty darned high - did they provide a written estimate to show you where that money was going? It's a pretty simple system with just 3 components (pump, valve, ram) and 4 hoses. Everything is very easy to access.
What I'd do is use brake cleaner on all the connections and hoses to get them oil-free. Check each connection on the pump and valve to make sure they're snug. Top the system with fluid, run the engine/PS pump, and try to find the source of the leaking. That should narrow down to what may need further attention.
this was super helpful. I just meant the are where they are under the car. I added fluid and it actually stopped leaking but I'm sure that is temporary. I will have to get it lifted to sort the rest and see. Thank you
Mr Buck...................
Just read all of the posts and I have a 78 although I've never had any leakage on my garage when I looked at them while it was on a lift for another repair IIRC from the Forum something was written about unknown history of the rubber hoses etc just change them!!
My guy did the install for $220.00 and the cost of the hoses from ZIP was less than $100.00...........
Just my 4 cents worth
Where the leak is 'on the floor' means nothing to us as a "symptom". You NEED to find exactly where the leak BEGINS if you want to know how to repair it.
The process for doing that is simple. Clean off all the components that are in that area. Put clean cardboard or newspaper under that area. Then, without starting the engine, look for drips on the clean surface. If you see none start within 10 minutes, take a 1 hour break and come back to look at it again. If drips are found, look directly above the drips to identify the initial source. Be aware that something dripping can drip on other components first, then run down to another location before dripping on the floor. So be thorough, and search the 'possible' leak area carefully.
If there was still no leak, start the engine and run it for about 10 seconds; then shut the engine down. Look under car again. Follow the process above to find the source.
P.S. It's a good idea to evaluate a small sample of the dripped oil to verify WHICH oil it is. Engine oil can drip on power steering components making it appear as a P/S problem. Compare the dripped oil to what is on the P/S pump dipstick and the engine oil dipstick to be clear.
this was super helpful. I just meant the are where they are under the car. I added fluid and it actually stopped leaking but I'm sure that is temporary. I will have to get it lifted to sort the rest and see. Thank you
All of this is pretty easy to access with ramps or jack stands holding the car up - and you only need the front lifted.
Also, unless it's got such a severe leak that it's emptying the reservoir in a short bit of time, I'd still drive it and continue sorting out the 10 years down-time. A few drips or seepage isn't going to harm anything and the leak isn't (likely) going anywhere. The only thing I'd check right off is the condition of the rubber hoses and whether they feel overly squishy like they are breaking down. A sudden split in a hose is a mess to clean up... 🫤
DETERMINATION!!! You must find the source of the leak. If the car is up on jack stands, a little 'grunt' work and you should be able to sort out the REAL source of the leak. Cleaning off the components WELL with a good solvent or detergent (Simple Green is not harmful to you or the environment and it works well) gives you a good "clean slate" to look for the source. As Red Green used to say, "We're all in there pitchin' for ya' ".
If you are going to own a Vette, you need to learn basic repairs. Power Steering is basic repairs.
Just need a set of "line-wrenches" & a pair of ramps. Even Walmart sells strong plastic ramps.
I believe there are 7 parts to the PS system:
4 hoses
1 pump
1 ram
1 control valve
Usually, a PS leak is obvious. Some require a keen eye.
If you truly can not locate an exact leak, there is a dye that can be introduced into the pump rez.
Then while idling, a blacklight will pin-point the dyes escape route.
Your mechanic must have meant pesos. 2,000 - 3,000 pesos?
Last edited by HeadsU.P.; May 17, 2025 at 04:12 PM.
Power steering hydraulics issue.
