Changing PS Hoses...Any Pitfalls
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 1
From: Rosemount MN
Changing PS Hoses...Any Pitfalls
Going to change all four PS hoses tomorrow...1979 L-82 With A/C
Just got the new set from Wilcox, good quality hoses $43.56 for the set.
Enough of an advertisement...does anybody have any does and don'ts, read the shop manual and it just says change them and to put a new hose clamp on the return line, that's it.
As far as bleeding, shop manual says just fill let sit for 2 minutes then turn full left and right 4-5 times, let the fluid settle then refill reservoir.
Does anyone else have the same problem as I do, the PS reservoir cap won't come off without removing the alternator and alternator mount bracket ?
Just got the new set from Wilcox, good quality hoses $43.56 for the set.
Enough of an advertisement...does anybody have any does and don'ts, read the shop manual and it just says change them and to put a new hose clamp on the return line, that's it.
As far as bleeding, shop manual says just fill let sit for 2 minutes then turn full left and right 4-5 times, let the fluid settle then refill reservoir.
Does anyone else have the same problem as I do, the PS reservoir cap won't come off without removing the alternator and alternator mount bracket ?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
You pretty much have it, nothing real difficult other than getting to the tube nuts on the pump. Of cource use the correct tube nut wrench not just an open end wrench or you'll round off the nut. Look over Jim Sheas papers (link below). About half way down are the ones on hose changes.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?page_id=4
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?page_id=4
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
I also just posted two new papers on "getting the air out."
With the front wheels off of the ground and your engine OFF, when you rotate your steering wheel full lock to lock the assist cylinder will actually act as a pump. It will move oil and large air bubbles through the power steering circuit. When the bubbles reach the pump they will rise into the reservoir and escape to atmosphere.
There is a bit more information in the papers. You might want to take a look at them.
Jim Shea
With the front wheels off of the ground and your engine OFF, when you rotate your steering wheel full lock to lock the assist cylinder will actually act as a pump. It will move oil and large air bubbles through the power steering circuit. When the bubbles reach the pump they will rise into the reservoir and escape to atmosphere.
There is a bit more information in the papers. You might want to take a look at them.
Jim Shea
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,417
Likes: 336
From: Texas
i am going to do the same thing soon, change all the hoses, i thought it was interesting that he couldnt get the power steering pump cap off, because i cant either on my 79 also., unless i loosen the altenator.
what gives, wrong size belt?
what gives, wrong size belt?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 1
From: Rosemount MN
Thanks, I was just reading them, I like the idea of not running the engine as my filler cap is obstructed by the alternator bracket. Could be a combo of the DART heads and maybe needing a better pulley alignment, but it sounds like just the ticket for me.
And it'll be a few months I imagine before the salt is off the roads in Minnesota so I imagine that most of the entrained air will rise to the reservoir by then.
Thanks all.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 1
From: Rosemount MN
I've only had the car for about a year, the PO may have changed pumps, but the belt is the correct one. For a '79 that is.
The brackets all look like the correct ones, may be something with the aftermarket heads...dunno. But it makes it a PIA to check the PS fluid, that's why I'm changing the hoses.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,337
Likes: 14
From: Norfolk VA
I took off the PS pump back in July 2000. I decided to put it back on after 6 years ( this past August) I have no leaks from the pump (I still find this hard to believe) I also replaced the power cylinder and the control valve. The original fittings were a bear for me to remove, but I got it done. New hoses went on with no problems. Followed procedure in service manual and voila, power steering again.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
Ya'll must be reading my mind. I also have a 79 L-82 and the pump is currently off the car while painting/detailing the engine and compartment. I too will be replacing all the hoses when it goes back together. BTW, I can check my power steering with the alternator on. It's not easy, but it can be done.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,135
Likes: 2
From: Dayton Oh
My 79's cap is not too bad to get off but isn't as easy as I'd like. Sounds like a good ole GM engineering feature. As others above have said, nothing really special to consider while replacing the hoses. I had to do mine 2 times before I realized that cheap hoses were'nt the correct route. Sometimes you have to throw good money at the problem to keep it from recurring.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
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From: if you have a ? on my avatar, please contact me directly, you spineless twit
St. Jude Donor '09
The P/S cap comes off, just not straight out as you'd like it to. it is a wierd configuration to say the least.
