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From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
The power steering fluid you use should meet the requirements of GM part number 1050017 or 1052884 (GM Spec Number 9985010). Most power steering fluid you can buy in major auto parts stores (and at Walmart) will state the spec number they meet, and most will meet the GM spec. Don't use automatic transmission fluid, as is often common and popular - it does not meet the GM Power Steering fluid spec.
There's no excuse to have a power steering system leak. If it leaks, fix it.
Lars
Of all the fluids in a C3, there is a 90% chance PS fluid will end up on the ground anyway.
Any ol' Walmart chit will work. Does not matter.
My car has a good mixture of pretty much every brand there is and for good measure there may be some product that claims to stop leaks still in the pump.
One of the very few places I use GM. Go to the dealer and buy what you need plus one. If it leaks, it'll be clear rather than red and it's easier to tell what needs fixing.
I recall Jim Shea recommending it as the reason I switched when rebuilding my system
M
(FWIW - the other only other fluid I use from GM is posi treatment I think)
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
That's correct: Jim Shea was the actual designer of these power steering systems, and he is adamant that you use GM-spec power steering fluid only in these systems. He had an entire list of reasons for doing so, which I cannot remember, other than that he knows what he's talking about...
Which ever brand comes in 55 gallon drums. The garage floor is not brand specific.
And yes, fixed that SOB power steering seven times. Maybe the eighth time will be the charm. (control valve next)
Last edited by HeadsU.P.; Apr 2, 2021 at 02:53 PM.
The power steering fluid you use should meet the requirements of GM part number 1050017 or 1052884 (GM Spec Number 9985010). Most power steering fluid you can buy in major auto parts stores (and at Walmart) will state the spec number they meet, and most will meet the GM spec. Don't use automatic transmission fluid, as is often common and popular - it does not meet the GM Power Steering fluid spec.
There's no excuse to have a power steering system leak. If it leaks, fix it.
Lars
This post shamed me into finally installing (actually most of the effort was my son-in-law's) the control valve I bought I can't remember how many years ago to fix the leak I'd had for I don't remember how many years. Well wouldn't you know it, after ordering a new set of lines as well and installing them there are no more drips of power steering fluid on the floor (I actually used a boot tray to contain the spill it leaked so badly). Even went to the GM dealer for genuine GM PS fluid. I feel so much better now but embarrassed that it took so long to get done. Thanks Lars!
Good for you (and the son-in-law.....he's obviously a "keeper"). Should be a good object-lesson for motivating others with the same problem. Most of the "ugliness" of a leaking (but still properly operating) P/S system in a C3 is the gooey, cruddy, nasty looking control valve area with oily gunk everywhere. Most times it's due to old, leaky hoses and just needs a good cleaning with a pressure washer (left front tire removed) and hose swap out.
I just went to dealer today got the gm fluid 12 bucks each..
my pump was noisy while driving, not squawking or grinding..just like if you sit and gently turn wheel to pressurize.. stethoscope (highly underrated) confirmed pump noisy..after sucking out as much as i could and refilling running and repeating about 5 times and went from stinky black to light carmel and stethoscope confirmed smoother but still pumping grinding but much better.
then i put in air to change rubber on steering piston end to frame and thought i would start it up and check power steering valve alignment balance. In air the steering went right..adjusted screw neutral and i can move with my hand back and forth while running piston loose from frame. and it is now dead quiet..apparently while driving i was hearing the pump always working as it was not balanced...interesting.... for sure check ot after removing piston..pretty easy..
now if anyone knows where i can get a dust cap, mine was missing and do not come in kit to rebuild piston.
jim shea and willcox and a YouTube on c3 corvette power steering valve adjustment great resources.
Edit found dust cover
Last edited by interpon; Apr 24, 2021 at 07:35 PM.
Whatever you use, write it down so you remember for the future. It's funny how easy it is to second-guess yerself on what you had put in a couple years before. For that reason I stick with GM stuff/parts on my GM's and Mopar stuff/fluids in my mopars (or the other vehicles). Easier to remember.
If you haven't flushed out your PS system maybe now's the time to do it?? That way you have one brand in there, and all 'good' known fluid.
My car has a good mixture of pretty much every brand there is and for good measure there may be some product that claims to stop leaks still in the pump.
