Hello, I tried a search and there must be a 1,000 threads on power steering. So, hopefully you guys can help me out on my problem specifically. I did a total frame off on my 80 vette and put a new power steering kit in from VBP. The steering box wasn't touched and I am using the old pump with a new cap. So I got the new ram, power control valve, and lines. I put two bottles of fluid in it the first time we started the car after it was put back together. We ran the car for a while to get the anti-freeze up to snuff. My car still has no paint, doors, bumpers ect., but I had to take it down the street to see how it ran. I didn't go far because of safety issues, but I went about two blocks and pulled it back into the shop. Well, it started smoking bad and it was power steering fluid that had burst out somwhere. I shut the car down and cleaned up the mess. I put another bottle of fluid in it and it poured out from somewhere as well (after I started the car and moved the wheel back and forth).

So did I blow a seal? Do I need to bleed the system? I guess I just need to know where to start. I was so excited after two years of work that I'm sure I missed something after I filled the pump. I can't find the paperwork from VBP to check to see what I missed. And so much fluid is comming out that I can't tell where it is comming from. The fan blows the fluid all over. Sorry for the long post, but I had to paint the whole picture. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

If the fan is making it hard to see the leak, then take it off. If not the fan the fan belt, you should be able to run with the a few minutes without the water pump and fan.
Pumps, pump seal kits, and hoses are the big ones for leaks and you can buy that suff at any auto store or corvette parts guys. I have helped guys with new hoses and was surprised to findout how oil leaks from every loose or incorrect connection.
Try Zip for tech stuff on steering or this site.

http://www.corvette-restoration.com/...mp_rebuild.htm

Good luck.

 

Follow their instructions for bleeding the pump;

http://www.vbandp.com/instructions/h...ruct/22854.htm

Procedure for initial servicing of fluid needs to be done slowly.

 

Camss57,
Those old ram power steering set-ups have four hoses and therefore, eight hose junctions, any of which can leak if not tightened properly. The pumps are usually OK, unless the rubber hose has not been fitted properly. Also, the hoses can split anywhere, especially near a bend.

You should also look at the new integral power steering box available from www.borgeson.com , as this gives you modern steering feel, fewer turns lock to lock and does away with two of the hoses, plus the power ram.

Plenty of guys on the Forum have fitted them, and I haven't heard of one who regretted the move.

Regards from Down Under

aussiejohn
5 days to go

 

Interesting, never knew there was a replacement. I had mine rebuilt a couple of years ago, it works OK but leaks all the time. You mentioned it does away with the power ram, I looked on their site a little didn't see any retrofit instructions. Do you know if there's a write-up on it around?

Thanks

Never mind sorry........tons of stuff on the forum, I should have checked first.

 

Thanks for your input guys. I'll tackle this tomorrow and see if I can find out where it's leaking from.

 

Well, My brother and I found the source of the leak. It was the power control valve leaking were it attaches to the steering rack. Red fluid was also dripping out of the grease zerk? Anyway, it's going back to VBP for repairs. Thanks for the help guys.