Power Steering Leak
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,762
Likes: 820
From: SUFFIELD CT USA 2023 C8 CORVETTE UN-MODIFIED FINALIST
2023 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Power Steering Leak
My '77 is leaking power steering fluid. It seems to be coming from the control
valve ( assist ) unit which goes to the cylinder. The boot which is on the other side from the grease fitting looks like it has seen better days and is my prime suspect. I cleaned all of the hoses and they are still dry 2 days later despite having leaked about a teaspoonful of fluid. Some days it does not leak at all but now that I have pumped more fresh grease in to the unit it appears the leak has doubled. Does anyone have any experience with this, I have a new boot and hoses on order but I don't think I'll need the hoses!
valve ( assist ) unit which goes to the cylinder. The boot which is on the other side from the grease fitting looks like it has seen better days and is my prime suspect. I cleaned all of the hoses and they are still dry 2 days later despite having leaked about a teaspoonful of fluid. Some days it does not leak at all but now that I have pumped more fresh grease in to the unit it appears the leak has doubled. Does anyone have any experience with this, I have a new boot and hoses on order but I don't think I'll need the hoses!
Last edited by BPHORSEGUY; Jul 28, 2013 at 04:35 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,428
Likes: 5
From: Japan
I rebuilt my control valve a long time ago and haven't had any problem since, so at least in my own experience the valves respond well to rebuilding. I also replaced the hoses at the same time, and the flexible high-pressure hose started cracking and leaking about three years ago. The hose was made by Goodyear, so apparently they don't last near as long ad the OE hoses, which weren't leaking before I replaced them.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,762
Likes: 820
From: SUFFIELD CT USA 2023 C8 CORVETTE UN-MODIFIED FINALIST
2023 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Bird thanks for your response, that gives me another reason to try and retain the original hoses! 
Last edited by BPHORSEGUY; Jul 28, 2013 at 04:40 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,666
Likes: 1
From: Where it's always hot as Hell-South Louisiana.
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
I rebuilt my unit on my 80 model. Think I bought the rebuild parts at Wilcox ? The parts are like $40 and have instructions with it. Simple, easy 2 hour job including a beer break. !
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
The boot is just a dust/dirt guard; it doesn't seal anything. But, oil could be leaking from a seal inside at that area. If the valve is actually leaking, you will have to remove it and rebuild it. I highly recommend that you rebuild it rather than buying another 'rebuilt' unit. At least, you know that yours WAS working when you removed it. Lots of bad rebuilt stuff, these days.
The most likely place for leaks is from the hoses or hose ends/connectors. You can replace the hoses without rebuilding the C/V, but if you get into it that far, I suggest that you do rebuild the C/V and put a new seal set in the 'rod' end of the assist cylinder. Both are easy to do and the P/S will be in good shape for many years to come.
Be advised that you should examine the oil and make sure it is P/S fluid before you tear into it. Valve covers, hoses, filter are all above that area and can leak down onto it. So, make sure of the leak source before you "fix" it. Good luck!
The most likely place for leaks is from the hoses or hose ends/connectors. You can replace the hoses without rebuilding the C/V, but if you get into it that far, I suggest that you do rebuild the C/V and put a new seal set in the 'rod' end of the assist cylinder. Both are easy to do and the P/S will be in good shape for many years to come.
Be advised that you should examine the oil and make sure it is P/S fluid before you tear into it. Valve covers, hoses, filter are all above that area and can leak down onto it. So, make sure of the leak source before you "fix" it. Good luck!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,126
Likes: 15
The seals in the valve are lip seals like in a master cylinder on your brakes. There is one o-ring if I remember correctly. Check this out. Close to the bottom of the page you will find Jim's rebuild papers for the control valve. mike...
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?cat=5
http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...oducts_id=1014
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?cat=5
http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...oducts_id=1014
Last edited by mds3013; Jul 28, 2013 at 08:37 PM.
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