Power Steering Pump repair- Need to replace seals?

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Dec 26, 2011 | 05:27 PM

Will's'74VetteL-82

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Pro

Joined: May 2010

Posts: 737

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From: Pennington NJ

Power Steering Pump repair- Need to replace seals?

Hello,

Long story short, my power steering pump reservoir got a crack in its body. I took the pump out and seperated the pump and reservoir. I am going to have the body welded / repaired however way it can be. The pump is essentially new with less than 2500 miles on it over the period of 1 year. There are a bunch of seals and o ring type things that seal the pump and reservoir. They look to be in good shape but will they need to be replaced or am I good to just reassemble the pump with the seals that are there?

Thanks,
Will

Dec 26, 2011 | 06:44 PM

mikep3

Burning Brakes

Joined: Dec 2005

Posts: 992

Likes: 56

From: Baldwinsville, NY

All our corvette parts vendors listed have seal kits. So will any Auto Parts house like Autozone, mine were $13. A rebuilt pump looks like $50.

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...hedFrom=header

Dec 26, 2011 | 06:47 PM

gbarmore

Pro

Joined: Sep 2011

Posts: 613

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From: EVANSVILLE Wisconsin

Those seals should be just fine unless you happen to tear something when taking it apart / putting back together. That rubber should last a very long time unless it sits dry for an extended period. That being said, if a new set of seals would help you sleep better it's money well spent and they are inexpensive as Mike P said.

Dec 26, 2011 | 06:53 PM

Will's'74VetteL-82

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From: Pennington NJ

Alright thanks....I'll probably just reuse them as they look great and are essentially brand new. I'm going to get the reservoir welded tomorrow and well see what happens.

I'll report back on what happens!

Thanks,
Will

Dec 26, 2011 | 07:03 PM

Jim Shea

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jul 2000

Posts: 6,001

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From: Saginaw Michigan

You can use power steering fluid to lubricate your original seals to aid the reassembly of the reservoir. You could also use petroleum jelly (vasoline) as a lubricant.

Jim

Dec 26, 2011 | 07:04 PM

mikep3

Burning Brakes

Joined: Dec 2005

Posts: 992

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From: Baldwinsville, NY

You might want to read this:

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

Just google power steering pump repair

Dec 26, 2011 | 07:08 PM

Paul L

Team Owner

Joined: Aug 1999

Posts: 30,995

Likes: 99

From: Ontario

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikep3

All our corvette parts vendors listed have seal kits. So will any Auto Parts house like Autozone, mine were $13. A rebuilt pump looks like $50.

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...hedFrom=header

Just go to NAPA for a re-built unit professionally done!

Last edited by Paul L; Dec 26, 2011 at 07:50 PM.

Dec 26, 2011 | 07:19 PM

Aflac

Race Director

Joined: Oct 2002

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From: Smalltownville Michigan

Cruise-In 5, 6 & 10 Veteran

St. Jude Donor '09

I taight aircraft hydraulics for 4 years and worked hydraulics on airplanes for 12 before that. we always taught to never ever re-use seals. you can if you want, but if you have it apart that far, it's just smart to change them out while you have it apart... unless you really like doing things more than once...

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Jan 3, 2012 | 05:54 PM

Will's'74VetteL-82

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From: Pennington NJ

ok...sorry for the long time since response!

I repainted and reassembled the pump after it was brazed. I took it on a long drive after rebleeding it and filling it to cold capacity. I will recheck for leaks and loss of fluid after I finish my vacuum system rebuild. The pump is much more solid now (I replaced all bolts and put it a missing bolt).

I understand the whole replace a seal always even if you dont need to, but luckily its not a jet hydraulic system so I could always remove it and replace the seals if needed!

Foolish NJ weather is preventing me from woriking right now (it was 23 degrees today and wicked windy!). Hopefully the vacuum system will be done soon.

By the way....I'm having trouble removing the driver side dash. It is binding somewhere some I'm trying to figure that out. Does anyone know how to get it out? I have the screws out of the dash, the center, and the column lowered but it seems to be sticking on the kickpanels or something.

Thanks,
Will

Jan 3, 2012 | 07:36 PM

#10

jb78L-82

Le Mans Master

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 7,459

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From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN

With that low mileage, just reuse the seals. I rebuilt my pump last year with 65,000 OEM miles on the pump and changed the seals since the pump shaft seal was leaking. The rebuild was relatively easy!

Jan 4, 2012 | 10:26 AM

#11

69 Chevy

Melting Slicks

Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 2,200

Likes: 3

From: Lehigh county Pennsylvania

Quote:

Originally Posted by Will's'74VetteL-82

I'm having trouble removing the driver side dash. It is binding somewhere some I'm trying to figure that out. Does anyone know how to get it out? I have the screws out of the dash, the center, and the column lowered but it seems to be sticking on the kickpanels or something.

Did you weasel your hand behind the dash and separate both the speedo and tach drive cables from their respective housings? The panel won't come out without doing so.

Jan 6, 2012 | 02:47 PM

#12

C3Paul

Burning Brakes

Joined: May 2006

Posts: 1,136

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From: Chichester, UK

Just rebuild my power steering pump following this article (brilliant, thank you http://www.corvette-restoration.com/...mp_rebuild.htm ) and all is good, but when I separated the oil reservoir from the pump body I found a MAGNET inside of the oil reservoir.

I do not think it should be there, but what do I know.
Any idea?

Jan 6, 2012 | 02:58 PM

#13

Frankenvette

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jul 1999

Posts: 3,030

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From: White Pine / Dandridge TN

Quote:

Originally Posted by C3Paul

I do not think it should be there, but what do I know.
Any idea?

I just pulled my pump and had the magnet as well and plan to re-install it. If it has not caused problems in the past... can't hurt to leave it. As well, I think it is suppose to be there. Since there is no filter perhaps it's there to pick up metal flakes.

Last edited by Frankenvette; Jan 6, 2012 at 03:05 PM.

Jan 6, 2012 | 08:35 PM

#14

GUSTO14

Le Mans Master

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 8,812

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From: eastern NC

Quote:

Originally Posted by C3Paul

I do not think it should be there, but what do I know.
Any idea?

Yes, it should be there. They are installed by the factory in the pumps and are there to collect any ferrous debris. Clean it up good and return it to where you found it and it will keep doing it's job.

Good luck... GUSTO

Jan 7, 2012 | 03:59 PM

#15

aussiejohn

Drifting

Joined: Jul 2002

Posts: 1,944

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From: The only Corvettes in Highett Victoria

Magnets.

C3Paul,

Magnets were first introduced in the 1974 model power steering pumps "to attract fluid debris."

Hope this helps.

Regards from Down Under.

aussiejohn

Jan 8, 2012 | 10:12 PM

#16

Will's'74VetteL-82

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From: Pennington NJ

Quote:

Originally Posted by 69 Chevy

Did you weasel your hand behind the dash and separate both the speedo and tach drive cables from their respective housings? The panel won't come out without doing so.

Yes, I had already disconnected those but FINALLY I got it today! I had to loosen my center guage cluster completely and take out the rag joint bolts and loosen the firewall bolts for the column. That gave me enough slack to move the dash out of the way. It is not completely out (which still seems impossible without having no column or upper dash pad!) but I am able to change my light bulbs and rebuild the vacuum system. Hopefully I'll have the hoses routed tomorrow and the actuators out and rebuilt by Wednesday. Then onto the heater vacuum control rebuild, which by the way does anyone have a diagram for this? I havent yet checked my AIM, but my Service manual doesnt have it and IIRC my rebuild kit doesnt have any instructions (It might but I'll check tomorrow).

Thanks,
Will