ZIP PS kit - rebuild or replace?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 888
Likes: 1
From: North Texas
ZIP PS kit - rebuild or replace?
My 72 is in need of having its power steering system ovehauled. Nothing serious, just leaking fluid and making a mess of the undercarraige. The car is an original 68K mile documented car, so I'm thinking about having the original parts rebuilt to retain resale value.
The question for the forum is this: would it be better to have the existing system rebuilt or buy new components? Zip has two possible kits for the cylinder, valve, and hoses:
63-79 327/350 POWER STEERING RENEW KIT-REBUILT
Product Number: SC-595 Price: $199.95
63-79 327/350 POWER STEERING RENEW KIT-NEW
Product Number: SC-594 Price: $389.95
Both are attractive in price. Does anyone have experience with ZIP's PS rebuild kits? Any quality issues?
Since I'm in socal, a rebuild shop should be fairly easy to find, should rebuilding the components be the right way to go. Any thoughts?
The question for the forum is this: would it be better to have the existing system rebuilt or buy new components? Zip has two possible kits for the cylinder, valve, and hoses:
63-79 327/350 POWER STEERING RENEW KIT-REBUILT
Product Number: SC-595 Price: $199.95
63-79 327/350 POWER STEERING RENEW KIT-NEW
Product Number: SC-594 Price: $389.95
Both are attractive in price. Does anyone have experience with ZIP's PS rebuild kits? Any quality issues?
Since I'm in socal, a rebuild shop should be fairly easy to find, should rebuilding the components be the right way to go. Any thoughts?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 4
From: Va
I started to go the rebuild route, but decided to go new, and still ended up with a slight seep with the new control valve. I would still go new if I had it to do it over again.
As for the pump itself I went a pump from AGR purchased thru Summit,AGR Power Steering Performance pump AGR-806324 $139.95
had to clean-up and reuse the original reservoir.
As for the pump itself I went a pump from AGR purchased thru Summit,AGR Power Steering Performance pump AGR-806324 $139.95
had to clean-up and reuse the original reservoir.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 12
From: SoCal
What exactly is leaking? All of the components are available separately, so unless the whole PS system is shot, there's no need to replace everything. Also, if you don't mind getting your hands dirty, rebuilding the PS pump and power cylinder yourself aren't too difficult, and the rebuild kits are available from Kragen (should be about $40 for both kits). Also, a rebuilt pump can be obtained from Kragen for about $60 + $25 core charge (beats $100 from the Corvette supply houses).
I'm also located in So. Cal. - you can get PS components from Coast Corvette in Anaheim. They recently told me that the "new" power cylinders are made in China and that the rebuilt GM components are better. YMMV, of course.
I'm also located in So. Cal. - you can get PS components from Coast Corvette in Anaheim. They recently told me that the "new" power cylinders are made in China and that the rebuilt GM components are better. YMMV, of course.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 888
Likes: 1
From: North Texas
Thanks for the input b71vette and VCuomo. I know that the PS pump and the cylinder are leaking, and I suspect the hoses are too. The pump appears to be leaking from behind the pulley, and the cylinder is leaking from the seal on the shaft. While I am at it, I figure that the valve should be replaced as well. I don't mind spending a little extra cash now to avoid tearing into the car later.
I try to do most of the work myself, but I have never done power steering other than replacement. My toolbox is relatively complete with most hand tools, but I do not have hydraulic presses or other machine-type tools.
My intent is to avoid Chinese/imported parts. b71Vette - I have not ordered from Summit before, but I am aware of their good reputation. Do you know if their parts are imports? VCuomo - Do you know of any good step by step instructions for rebuilding the pump and cylinder? I have a GM repair manual, but it only shows describes the diagnostic process.
Thanks again for your help, guys. I appreciate it very much.
I try to do most of the work myself, but I have never done power steering other than replacement. My toolbox is relatively complete with most hand tools, but I do not have hydraulic presses or other machine-type tools.
My intent is to avoid Chinese/imported parts. b71Vette - I have not ordered from Summit before, but I am aware of their good reputation. Do you know if their parts are imports? VCuomo - Do you know of any good step by step instructions for rebuilding the pump and cylinder? I have a GM repair manual, but it only shows describes the diagnostic process.
Thanks again for your help, guys. I appreciate it very much.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 174
From: Fort Wayne IN
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/2005...ering-lead.asp
Houses and pump can be bought from Advance. I followed those instructions and had no problems with the valve rebuild.
Houses and pump can be bought from Advance. I followed those instructions and had no problems with the valve rebuild.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,577
Likes: 2
From: Long Island New York
I rebuilt my power cylinder with the Zip kit for $13.50. I figured I'd give it a shot before forking over the money for a new or rebuilt unit and if it didn't work I was only out $13.50, no big deal. It was very easy and straight forward to do. I cleaned everything up, repainted it and looks a good as any rebuilt unit I've seen. So far it's working fine with no leaks.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 627
Likes: 1
From: Naperville IL
i hear lots pf people saying don't bother with the rebuilt control valves because they will leak again real soon, but I rebuilt mine myself last year with the kit from zip and the difference in steering response was huge, and hasn't leaked since. before trying the rebuild kit for the ram, inspect the chrome shaft for pitting or wear, if its worn at all it will just chew up your new seals. bottom line is as long as your core is in good shape, rebuilding is fine, but if its seen some neglect it might not be salvagable
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 888
Likes: 1
From: North Texas
bluthundr & supervette77, I looked at the www.corvettemagazine.com link bluthundr provided and the more I think about it, the more I believe I'll try fixing it myself. Pride of ownership, accomplishment and I know it'll be done right.
Besides, like supervette77 says, I'd only be out a few bucks if it doesn't work. And, I can put the savings into my ZZ4/425HP crate engine fund. One other question: does removing and replacing the cylinder affect the alignment of the car? I can't see how it would since it connects to the middle of other suspension pieces. But then, I am a novice at best when it comes to the C3.
Thanks for your help!
Besides, like supervette77 says, I'd only be out a few bucks if it doesn't work. And, I can put the savings into my ZZ4/425HP crate engine fund. One other question: does removing and replacing the cylinder affect the alignment of the car? I can't see how it would since it connects to the middle of other suspension pieces. But then, I am a novice at best when it comes to the C3.
Thanks for your help!
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 888
Likes: 1
From: North Texas
Chris73cpe - That's a good tip. The car steers fine now, but it moans a little from the pump when the car is driven a while. I've been keeping the resevoir full of fluid so I don't do anymore damage to the system. When I discovered what was leaking, I checked out the shaft and hoses. The hoses are worn with hairline cracks around the fittings, so those are automatically on the replacement list. But the cylinder shaft looks good, with no pitting or damage. That's why I want to get this taken care of right away. Well that, and feeling like a dork when I drive my moaning, but otherwise cool car down the street.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 627
Likes: 1
From: Naperville IL
Originally Posted by Vette Set
does removing and replacing the cylinder affect the alignment of the car? I can't see how it would since it connects to the middle of other suspension pieces. But then, I am a novice at best when it comes to the C3.
Thanks for your help!
Thanks for your help!