Mystery leak solved!!!
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,057
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Mystery leak solved!!!
Went home yesterday afternoon and found another puddle of fluid under the left front of the 75. This time I saw where the drip was coming from. It is definitely from the power steering. The leaking is coming from the piece on the assembly that is the farthest left on the system. I'm not sure exactly what the piece is called. It has a clip bracket around it that seems to be holding a rubber bushing/ grommet in place on top. The leak seems to be coming from around this rubber grommet. My question is does the whole steering assembly need replaced or just this component? Also, if I drive the car for short distances, will this hurt anything with the power steering system running dry or will my power assist simply not work properly without really hurting anything? I really don't have the time right now to mess with this thing but I also don't want to let the car sit if its safe to drive it short distances. Thanks for the input?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
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You must be psychic!!! My next question was going to be "can I simply remove the power steering pump belt?". I guess that this won't hurt the pump or the system. It simply will eliminate my power assist until I can get the thing fixed. Does the whole rack assembly need replacement or can that control valve be replaced simply as a component?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
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Does it take any special tools or is it simply a bolt on that a mechanical moron such as myself can tackle with basic tools? Also, does a power steering system need to be bled like brakes after opening the system to change a component?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,897
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From: Moon Township PA
Originally Posted by own2vettes
You must be psychic!!! My next question was going to be "can I simply remove the power steering pump belt?". I guess that this won't hurt the pump or the system. It simply will eliminate my power assist until I can get the thing fixed. Does the whole rack assembly need replacement or can that control valve be replaced simply as a component?
Personally, I wonder whether or not the drag on the steering without the pump working and the control valve dragging might be quite heavy. I remember a couple of years ago when the power steering went out on my 77 Buick Electra as I was driving it. I felt like I was steering a Sherman tank. Of course, the Electra is a land barge.
It would be easy and quick to rebuild (or replace) the control valve as opposed to driving without the PS. Don't forget to check your GM manual for the control valve balancing procedure.Gary
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,897
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From: Moon Township PA
It's a secret. If I told you, then I'd have to kill you!
Control valve balancing is a 15 minute job at most. It entails balancing the control valve by turning a small nut on the valve so that there is even pressure on both sides. It ensures that the steering wheel doesn't swing hard to one side or the other during the first start after a control valve rebuild or replacement. IIRC, there is a warning in the GM manual about not putting your hands on or through the steering wheel as you start the car. If the control valve is biased to one side, which is almost unavoidable IMHO, when you start the engine, the steering wheel will violently turn to that side. Balancing involves evening out that bias and is very simple and clearly spelled out in the GM Service Manual for your year.
Gary
ps, another great reason to own the reprints of the GM manual versus aftermarket Haynes or Chilton.
Control valve balancing is a 15 minute job at most. It entails balancing the control valve by turning a small nut on the valve so that there is even pressure on both sides. It ensures that the steering wheel doesn't swing hard to one side or the other during the first start after a control valve rebuild or replacement. IIRC, there is a warning in the GM manual about not putting your hands on or through the steering wheel as you start the car. If the control valve is biased to one side, which is almost unavoidable IMHO, when you start the engine, the steering wheel will violently turn to that side. Balancing involves evening out that bias and is very simple and clearly spelled out in the GM Service Manual for your year.
Gary
ps, another great reason to own the reprints of the GM manual versus aftermarket Haynes or Chilton.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
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Search for balancing the valve. I asked the same questions a few months ago and someone gave me a link to a paper on the subject - of course, can I find the link now? I did print it out and if you can't find it around the forum, drop me a PM and I'll see if either have the link at home or can email the stuff to you. It was an easy job but when it says turn the screw SLOWLY they really mean it. It is easy to go past where you need to go then you have to go the other way. From what I read, too much of this back and forth will really mess up the valve.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,897
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From: Moon Township PA
Control valve balancing may also be in our very own www.corvettefaq.com section under steering. Anyone? Anyone? Buehler?
Gary
Gary
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,795
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Originally Posted by big_G
The part is called the power steering control valve. Either keep filling the system or remove the belt.
in any case,
how hard is it to steer the car with the PS belt removed? is it just like a car with manual steering or is it stiffer?
thanks in advance
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
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The PO removed the PS belt (along with cutting out the cylinder and trashing the hoses) and I drove it for a year or so that way. It wasn't all that difficult at normal speeds - slow speeds are something else. I'm getting too old to struggle with those wide tires and no assistance so I put the steering system back together.