So I bought my vette just over a year ago and after about 3500 miles I've started to notice the "little things" are starting to poke there ugly little heads out. By little things I am refering to the drop or two of power steering fluid on the garage floor. I just bought a Dewitts rad. and that has set me back a little for the time being. Best money I have spent though. Beautiful product and performs wonderfully. Anyway, back to the power steering issue.

I noticed during the rad replacement that there was an awful lot of PS fluid on the outside of the pump. I also noticed there seems to be a leak at one or both of the hoses. The system is all original and probably ready for replacement. So, my question is ... Is it worth it to replace/repair OEM PS system or go with the steeroids setup I've read so much about. My real concern is the steeroids a "simple" install? By simple I mean can someone with only shadetree expeirence do a safe and quality install? Are there detailed install instructions?

Also, any links to some articles on the install would probably be helpful.

Thank you in Advance

BTW this forum is a lifesaver. whenever I talk to a vette owner I almost always steer them to this site. Thanks for all your help and knowledge you all have made owning C3 a lot more enjoyable.

 

I know just what you mean about the DeWitts radiator.With the 2 , 11" fans, it works great and looks just as good . As for the power steering leak , if those are original hoses, my guess whould be to replace them . I had a local shop make new ones , and everything is fine. I was going to change to the Steeroids also , but, after seeing a price tag of close to $ 1500 , I just went for the hose change ! As for the install, it might be a bit out of reach if you're on your back in the driveway . But, that's just one guys opinion.

www.steeroids.com

 

IMO, the original stock setup is a waste of time/effort, MONEY to work with, you can rebuild it all to hell and it will still wander all over well used highways, and at speed that is very disconcerting, and that affect is greatly amplified by modern tires, even on original wheels....

so there are two generally high reguarded change outs...one is Steeroids, which is essentially MY setup, and I did mine before steeroids rack was on the market....my own setup....
at total cost around 200 bux....
but I cruise junkyards too....
I used to do and still occationally do some design work...

also there is an adaption of a 'Jeep' steering box...supplied by GM....to the C3s.....also another good way to go, and highly recommended by Norval, another member here who is very highly reguarded....

IMO, junk the stock system....

GENE

 

I agree the steeroids pricetag is intimidating. Return on my money would definitly be a concern.

 

Well, I think it may not be possible to buy a reman. pump that does not leak. I went the origional system on mine and have not been able to locate the pump leak. The reman. cylinder and valve and new hoses seal fine but the pump leaks badly and there is no power assist at low rpm. Cost $300 plus core charges.
I think the $1500 for the stearoids you still must use your pump, so, if it is worn out like mine I have no idea what to tell you. Maybe there is a different type of pump available that will direct fit. I think the old style are not rebuildable. Good luck.

 

Plastic,
Gene's right, but there's a third type that should be available any day now. It's a NEW Delphi 600 series integral power steering box modified to fit the Corwette chassis, but is a direct replacement for the old manual steering box, fitment-wise. You need to fabricate TWO new hoses, from pump to box and return, and you will need to fit a MANUAL centre link/relay rod.

Cost is US$795 for the box and it is supposed to make a C2/3 handle and steer like a new car. Contact Kevin Redd at rmmusa@aol.com .

That's what I intend to buy for mine in a few month's time.

Regards from Down Under

aussiejohn

 

800 bux for a freaking steering box???


BEEEEJeebus.....

guess I need another glance through the junkyards, ya think??


GENE

 

you can get the jeep box kit from corvettesteering.com for $675, and that comes with everything you need as far as I know.

I just rebuilt my control valve and ram but there is still play in the system that I think is just part of how the control valve works. If had to put any more money into the steering(read when I have to put more money into the steering) I'd either go with the jeep box or try to fabricate something myself with a grand am rack. IMO the steeriods system is way overpriced and still has its problems.