Replacing power steering components
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 21
Likes: 1
From: Amherst Ohio
Replacing power steering components
System is leaking on my '78. Planning to replace pump, control valve, power steering cylinder and hoses. How difficult is the process and are there any tricks or concerns(safety issues) when performing this overhaul?
Appreciate any suggestions or ideas?
Appreciate any suggestions or ideas?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Do you know exactly where the leaks are located? It is highly probable that the hoses are your problem. If so, just replace the hoses. There is significant risk of getting malfunctioning hardware when you buy these [untested] rebuilt components. If your components are working fine, leave them alone.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,264
Likes: 3
From: Vero Beach FL
Do you know exactly where the leaks are located? It is highly probable that the hoses are your problem. If so, just replace the hoses. There is significant risk of getting malfunctioning hardware when you buy these [untested] rebuilt components. If your components are working fine, leave them alone.
Cleaning the components will help you locate the problem and a save you a lot of guess work. 
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 21
Likes: 1
From: Amherst Ohio
Steering leaks
Cleaned everything off and leaks are numerous. Little from hoses but mostly for cylinder and control valve in couple different locations. The pump is not leaking but plan on replacing that as well since I'm taking it all apart anyway. Figure the pump will be the next part to leak. Hate to tear apart more than once.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,264
Likes: 3
From: Vero Beach FL
The power steering valve can be a little tricky the steering wheel can turn rather violently if not correctly set at start up. You definitely do not want to put your arm through the steering wheel at start up.
Last edited by Roco71; Oct 14, 2013 at 08:05 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,816
Likes: 1,727
From: Summerville SC
Definitely clean it all up and check where the fluid is coming from. I though mine was a leaking hose fitting, but discovered that the shaft coming out of the power steering cylinder had a nice little curve to it, someone hit a curb pretty hard no doubt. So I replaced that WHILE I WAS AT IT. Also. once you get it all back together & filled with fluid, start it up and turn the steering wheel slowly to the left stop, then to the right stop. Do this a few times and it usually bleeds the air out of the system. Check the fluid again when it is up to temp. Good Luck..
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 7
From: Wentzville MO
If you are planning on keeping and don't want to clean up this mess again, look at the Borgeson retrofit. I did the hose swap a couple of times and finally ditched the stock and put a borgeson in, no leaks and steering is much improved.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 20
From: The only Corvettes in Highett Victoria
I would also recommend the Borgeson box, as the control valve and "ram" are built into it. The box is a 21st century Saginaw item fitted to millions of Jeeps and is more than adequate for the Corvette.
If you have access to a hoist and a Pitman arm puller, you can do the Borgeson conversion in a couple of hours and end up with a tighter ratio, less turns LTL and a much improved "feel of the road." And not to mention you get rid of the four hoses, control valve and ram hanging under the engine.
Regards from Down Under.
aussiejohn
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
I suggest the following as a much better procedure for "getting the air out" of a power steering system after replacing component(s).
With the front wheels off the ground, engine OFF, turn the steering wheel full lock to full lock about 2 dozen times. The assist piston in the power steering system will act as a pump and will move trapped air up into the power steering pump reservoir. Check the fluid level in the pump reservoir periodically and add additional fluid as needed.
Also, I recommend using genuine GM power steering fluid, not generic fluid available at many automotive stores.
The full explanation for the above statements is available here;
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?p=867#attachments
Good luck,
Jim
With the front wheels off the ground, engine OFF, turn the steering wheel full lock to full lock about 2 dozen times. The assist piston in the power steering system will act as a pump and will move trapped air up into the power steering pump reservoir. Check the fluid level in the pump reservoir periodically and add additional fluid as needed.
Also, I recommend using genuine GM power steering fluid, not generic fluid available at many automotive stores.
The full explanation for the above statements is available here;
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?p=867#attachments
Good luck,
Jim