Help!!! - Power Steering Leak
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Help!!! - Power Steering Leak
Hi all - first time corvette owner and forum participant. I bought my 1975 project about two years ago and have enjoyed working on her. I've replaced all the suspension, added headers,a new exhaust and replaced my power steering components that were leaking. (assist cylinder, control valve both sets of low and high presure hoses ) After I finished about a week later I noticed I had a leak again. The snap ring on the cylinder had popped out. I sent the power steering assist cylinder back (thinking that the grove for the snap ring perhaps was outside spec. and too shallow) Got a new one, installed it - drove it for a couple months (once or twice a week for 10 miles or less) and the same thing happened again. I reseated the snap ring but as soon as I drove it again it started leaking worse than before. (especially when turning right) Any suggestions? I guess I could have gotten another bad cylinder or snap ring but I'm wondering if I'm treating a symtom instead of the real problem.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
It's pretty straight forward if the snap ring comes out of the groove in the assist cylinder bulkhead. The groove itself may not be to specification or the supplier of the cylinders is using the wrong snap ring.
Since you are having the same problem with a replacement cylinder, it appears that there is a "batch" of bad parts from China, South America, Mexico, etc. You might ask your supplier to try and find you a replacement cylinder from an earlier, or later batch of parts.
Jim
Since you are having the same problem with a replacement cylinder, it appears that there is a "batch" of bad parts from China, South America, Mexico, etc. You might ask your supplier to try and find you a replacement cylinder from an earlier, or later batch of parts.
Jim
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,272
Likes: 17
if you're not doing a restoration, there are more than a few who have converted to the borgeson version of power steering (myself included) , works well, no more issues with a system that has to many moving parts. imho, I like the r&p setups better but they're twice as much.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Update
I called and spoke to Corvette Central - the part is still under warranty but I have to pay the shipping. I'm getting ready boxed it up and send it. They will try to repair or replace the cylinder but the customer service rep did say they were out of the part. I asked them to give me a call before they do the repair so I understand what they are going to do. The last thing I want them to do is simply reset the snap ring. If I had known of the other option of replacing this set-up with something more modern I would have done it. Live and learn I guess.
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
My p.s. cylinder also popped its snap ring!
My experience is exactly the same as yours. Replaced the control valve, hoses, and cylinder which promptly blew its snap ring when under pressure. All parts were ordered new from Corvette Central in May of this year. When I called their tech support I was told that they have had no problem with 1000 cyls. sold this year. Had to make a special appeal to Customer Service to get them to replace the cyl at their expense. Like you I am waiting on the new cyl. because it is and has been out of stock most of this year. Sounds like our cyls came out of the same bad production run this summer. I'm going to call Corvette Central to tell them what they probably already know, the last batch was no good and they need to insure that what they send us as a replacement is up to spec. Feel free to use me as backup as you also deal with the supplier. No telling how many others like us are struggling with a bad cyl..
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
P.S. cyl. failures
I called CC today to try to better understand this cyl problem. I did not want them to send me another bad cyl as a replacement. After much discussion the story is: there are two suppliers of this part. If you got a grey cyl, which I did, then there is a chance of failure. I was told the replacement would be made by the other supplier. What a hassle. They will replace the part at no charge, I wonder if they would cover the shipping to return the bad cyl to them? Hmmmmmm?
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Finally got my replacement! Much better quality than the last. Here's the rub...I still have a leak. The leak is now coming from where the hose attaches to the power steering assist rod. ( I believe it's from the hose that goes in the top slot.) Any suggestions? (The hoses are new. I disconnected and reconnected them to make sure they were tight and seated correctly.) Can I use silicon on the threads to stop the leak? I'm almost to the point that I'm going to use stop leak...which ticks me off to consider since I've replaced all the components.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,126
Likes: 15
If it is leaking at a hose connection then there is a defect in the hose end or seat in the cylinder. No amount of any sealer will stop it. Remove the offending hose and check the flare. Smooth any nicks or burrs with fine grit sandpaper. Dry off the seat in the cylinder and check for any defects there. Good luck with it. mike...
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
The above problems could have been easily cared for by going to your local parts house...Most of them sell 'A-1 Cardone' steering control parts....warranty to them is easy and no freight! For those that are skeptical of a local parts company, use 'Google and check Cardone out....and I think your cost would have been reduced by at least 25% for the cost conscious members
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Thanks for the advice. Pulled the tire off, backed the hoses off and retighten...FINALLY - no leaks. (At least not from the power steering. 
)
Now I just have to figure out why my windshield wipers only work when I initially start the car.
)Now I just have to figure out why my windshield wipers only work when I initially start the car.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
ShanykeK, Glad you figured it out and got a good assist cylinder. Replaced mine two years ago and this winter it started leaking again at first I thought it was caused from sitting, refilled the system and it leaked out just as fast as I poured it in. Decided to cut my loss and go with a rack and pinion set up since I am redoing the front end.
Ron
Ron