Power Steering Pump Leak
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 272
Likes: 23
From: McKinney TX
Power Steering Pump Leak
Hey everyone,
Just wanted to get some advice. My old PS pump had a slow leak in it. I rebuilt it while I had the PS cylinder out for replacement. I reinstalled it and voila now the PS pump has a big leak!
I'm confident I rebuilt it correctly. The leak is around the reservoir where the big O-ring meshes with the pump. The housing was not in great shape but looked good as far as the place where it touched the O-ring. Nice and round. I was careful not to damage this.
Anyway, just looking for advice here. Do I fool with trying to fix this leak or just cut my losses and spring for a whole new pump? Can I buy just the reservoir anywhere? The pump looks fine. Just trying to save a few bucks.
Just wanted to get some advice. My old PS pump had a slow leak in it. I rebuilt it while I had the PS cylinder out for replacement. I reinstalled it and voila now the PS pump has a big leak!
I'm confident I rebuilt it correctly. The leak is around the reservoir where the big O-ring meshes with the pump. The housing was not in great shape but looked good as far as the place where it touched the O-ring. Nice and round. I was careful not to damage this.
Anyway, just looking for advice here. Do I fool with trying to fix this leak or just cut my losses and spring for a whole new pump? Can I buy just the reservoir anywhere? The pump looks fine. Just trying to save a few bucks.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,753
From: Charlotte NC
It is all up to you and how much you value your time,
This is one reason why I no longer will rebuild a pump on a customers car. I cannot afford to keep taking it on and off again when I know I have done it correctly. Often times the area where the big O ring goes can have some slight distortion in it and that is all it takes for it to leak. I have rebuilt many where the owner wants to keep the correct reservoir design and such. But IF I see any major damage to the reservoir itself...I let them know it is a crap-shoot on if I can get it to not leak due to the reservoir has dents in it....which is why it is leaking in the first place...inmost cases.
DUB
DUB
This is one reason why I no longer will rebuild a pump on a customers car. I cannot afford to keep taking it on and off again when I know I have done it correctly. Often times the area where the big O ring goes can have some slight distortion in it and that is all it takes for it to leak. I have rebuilt many where the owner wants to keep the correct reservoir design and such. But IF I see any major damage to the reservoir itself...I let them know it is a crap-shoot on if I can get it to not leak due to the reservoir has dents in it....which is why it is leaking in the first place...inmost cases.
DUB
DUB
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 272
Likes: 23
From: McKinney TX
Thanks DUB. If I remember correctly, that portion is not under pressure correct? So in theory I should be able to test for leaks on the bench. I might give it one more shot but I'm not optimistic.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,753
From: Charlotte NC
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,070
Likes: 9,202
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
I did all this, rebuilt the pump, leaked, new reservoir, leaked, then new pump. Get a good one, not a rebuilt one unless you dont care if it looks the same. I wanted and needed the skinny tube style top as I have clearance issues and I think the rectangular one may have created problems and I didnt want to find out the hard way.
This is the one on there now with new lines. No leaks anywhere
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/clp-19-6168sb-6p
This is the one on there now with new lines. No leaks anywhere
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/clp-19-6168sb-6p
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 272
Likes: 23
From: McKinney TX
Thanks Resuce Rogers. That's kinda what I was looking for. Sounds like I just need to cut my losses and order new. Oh well at least I learned how to rebuild a pump which is part of what I enjoy doing with the vette - learning new things.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,070
Likes: 9,202
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
I feel your pain. I 've got abin of old parts that couldnt be saved although I tried
