Help..Lost Power Steering Tonight!!!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,529
Likes: 27
From: Auburndale Florida
2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07-'09
Help..Lost Power Steering Tonight!!!
Took the Vert to the cruise in at Olde Towne which is near Kissimmee, FL tonight and the power steering went away. Belts on, pulley and pump shaft turnng, fluid level OK. This is reman pump and cylinder only 1 year old and 1200 miles. No noise or leaks!!! So is it the pump or the relay valve? 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
From your description it sounds like the power steering pump. It is possible to break the pump driveshaft (inside the pump). There will be enough driveshaft attached to the pulley that everything will stay in place. The belt will still spin the pulley but since the driveshaft is broken inside, it won't be pumping any oil.
Partially remove the pump so that there is some slack in the belt and you can make the pulley and driveshaft slide forward out of the pump. Normally there is about 1/8 inch of fore and aft travel. If the driveshaft is broken you will be able to slide it completely out of the pump.
If the driveshaft is broken it means that the guts of the pump have seized. You will need a new pump.
Jim
Partially remove the pump so that there is some slack in the belt and you can make the pulley and driveshaft slide forward out of the pump. Normally there is about 1/8 inch of fore and aft travel. If the driveshaft is broken you will be able to slide it completely out of the pump.
If the driveshaft is broken it means that the guts of the pump have seized. You will need a new pump.
Jim
Last edited by Jim Shea; Sep 28, 2008 at 11:43 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,529
Likes: 27
From: Auburndale Florida
2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07-'09
From your description it sounds like the power steering pump. It is possible to break the pump driveshaft (inside the pump). There will be enough driveshaft attached to the pulley that everything will stay in place. The belt will still spin the pulley but since the driveshaft is broken inside, it won't be pumping any oil.
Partially remove the pump so that there is some slack in the belt and you can make the pulley and driveshaft slide forward out of the pump. Normally there is about 1/8 inch of fore and aft travel. If the driveshaft is broken you will be able to slide it completely out of the pump.
If the driveshaft is broken it means that the guts of the pump have seized. You will need a new pump.
Jim
Partially remove the pump so that there is some slack in the belt and you can make the pulley and driveshaft slide forward out of the pump. Normally there is about 1/8 inch of fore and aft travel. If the driveshaft is broken you will be able to slide it completely out of the pump.
If the driveshaft is broken it means that the guts of the pump have seized. You will need a new pump.
Jim
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
It is not a common problem. However, the fit up of the rotor, vanes, and cam ring inside the pump are extremely critical. If clearances are too tight the internal parts could seize and the weak link will be the pump driveshaft. With a remanufactured pump you are never really sure what is inside. It is good that you have a lifetime warranty on it.
Also, using genuine GM power steering fluid may also reduce the frequency of this type of pump failure.
Jim
Also, using genuine GM power steering fluid may also reduce the frequency of this type of pump failure.
Jim
