Replacing PS pump
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 347
Likes: 6
From: Midwest
Replacing PS pump
Main seal is leaking badly on the PS pump....local mechanics tell me it is cost effective to simply replace the entire pump......which brings me to my question: I recall reading where the grease zerks on the bottom of the PS pump should NOT be used for fear of overgreasing and blowing out the seal.
Is this true on the REPLACEMENT pump, or was this just in reference to the OEM pump?...or was that only for the steering GEARBOX and not the pump itself?
Is this true on the REPLACEMENT pump, or was this just in reference to the OEM pump?...or was that only for the steering GEARBOX and not the pump itself?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,906
Likes: 4,479
From: Virginia
I don't recall any zerks on the pump, or steering box (though it can be improperly greased). There is a zerk on the stock power steering valve (at the end of the steering center link) that I believe was placed there as a trap. Perhaps the power steering valve is what you are thinking of?
I bought a replacement pump from RockAuto to complete my Borgeson conversion, as it decided to puke its guts out immediately after every other component had been replaced. You will need to swap the pump pulley to the new pump.
I bought a replacement pump from RockAuto to complete my Borgeson conversion, as it decided to puke its guts out immediately after every other component had been replaced. You will need to swap the pump pulley to the new pump.
Last edited by Bikespace; Sep 30, 2021 at 11:04 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,151
Likes: 7,765
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
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Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Considering the cost of a good pump, and the labor if rebuilding one. Yes replacement is most likely a better option. if you are capable of rebuilding the pump yourself, but then you already mentioned a mechanic in the mix.
I would recommend highly the tuff Stuff brand pump for your 79. pulling and reinstalling the pulley will be the most difficult part. And then you have a new pump. not a 40 year old one with a new seal.
And by the way, a lot of people complain about chrome cap on the tuff stuff pump. the chrome is just a press on cover. It comes off easily, the chrome part that is, revealing a standard cap.
And bikespace is correct, no grease zirk on the pump. just on the valve on the drag link.
I would recommend highly the tuff Stuff brand pump for your 79. pulling and reinstalling the pulley will be the most difficult part. And then you have a new pump. not a 40 year old one with a new seal.
And by the way, a lot of people complain about chrome cap on the tuff stuff pump. the chrome is just a press on cover. It comes off easily, the chrome part that is, revealing a standard cap.
And bikespace is correct, no grease zirk on the pump. just on the valve on the drag link.
Last edited by 4-vettes; Oct 1, 2021 at 05:21 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 7,645
Likes: 2,464
From: Indiana
Main seal is leaking badly on the PS pump....local mechanics tell me it is cost effective to simply replace the entire pump......which brings me to my question: I recall reading where the grease zerks on the bottom of the PS pump should NOT be used for fear of overgreasing and blowing out the seal.
Is this true on the REPLACEMENT pump, or was this just in reference to the OEM pump?...or was that only for the steering GEARBOX and not the pump itself?
Is this true on the REPLACEMENT pump, or was this just in reference to the OEM pump?...or was that only for the steering GEARBOX and not the pump itself?
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...leak-79-a.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-question.html
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,741
Likes: 1,639
From: Fairfax Virginia
I bought my last Power Steering Pump from Turn One as they made sure it was set up properly from the beginning. The "flow rate" is critical if you want the power steering system to operate properly. I changed pumps and had a Hyper sensitive steering system one time and that taught me to watch the flow rates.
I don't think I have ever seen any fittings other than the Input and Output on the power steering pumps. They do make new cases for the PS pumps and they have the new seals already in them. You simply swap the guts over...
I don't think I have ever seen any fittings other than the Input and Output on the power steering pumps. They do make new cases for the PS pumps and they have the new seals already in them. You simply swap the guts over...
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,370
Likes: 6,364
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
Karl -
If your pump is working fine but just leaking, there is no need to replace it. The replacement pumps do not have the same reservoir shape as the original. The pumps are super-easy to work on and rebuild with a rebuild kit (available from NAPA, Classic Industries, and many other sources for under $15). I just went through the original pump on my '71 Judge due to leaks. While I had it apart, I removed all the little dents out of the reservoir housing, painted everything up, put all new seals in it, and installed it with a new set of hoses. It's like brand new, looks perfect, and has no leaks. And it's "the right" pump for the car.
Lars
If your pump is working fine but just leaking, there is no need to replace it. The replacement pumps do not have the same reservoir shape as the original. The pumps are super-easy to work on and rebuild with a rebuild kit (available from NAPA, Classic Industries, and many other sources for under $15). I just went through the original pump on my '71 Judge due to leaks. While I had it apart, I removed all the little dents out of the reservoir housing, painted everything up, put all new seals in it, and installed it with a new set of hoses. It's like brand new, looks perfect, and has no leaks. And it's "the right" pump for the car.
Lars
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 347
Likes: 6
From: Midwest
Beings that I am 80 yrs old, my squirming days beneath that C3 are pretty much "history". It was the mechanics recommendation that it would be more "cost-effective" to replace the entire pump, than to have to 'eat' all the labor costs to JUST replace the O-ring....IF he says, IF he can even GET just the mounting O-ring.
It is scheduled to go into the shop this coming Wednesday. What do y'all suggest? It's NOT that I am necessarily a "tightwad", but I AM retired and on a fixed income nowadays.
Oh and btw, the main pressure hose was replaced sometime ago, so that is not an issue.
Last edited by TuffShift; Oct 1, 2021 at 08:22 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 7,645
Likes: 2,464
From: Indiana
Welllll, since you mentioned it Lars, the pump ITSELF is functioning fine...it just LEAKS around the main seal, badly...drains itself in less than a week. ...kind of a big o-ring sort of thing, I am told.
Beings that I am 80 yrs old, my squirming days beneath that C3 are pretty much "history". It was the mechanics recommendation that it would be more "cost-effective" to replace the entire pump, than to have to 'eat' all the labor costs to JUST replace the O-ring....IF he says, IF he can even GET just the mounting O-ring.
It is scheduled to go into the shop this coming Wednesday. What do y'all suggest? It's NOT that I am necessarily a "tightwad", but I AM retired and on a fixed income nowadays.
Oh and btw, the main pressure hose was replaced sometime ago, so that is not an issue.
Beings that I am 80 yrs old, my squirming days beneath that C3 are pretty much "history". It was the mechanics recommendation that it would be more "cost-effective" to replace the entire pump, than to have to 'eat' all the labor costs to JUST replace the O-ring....IF he says, IF he can even GET just the mounting O-ring.
It is scheduled to go into the shop this coming Wednesday. What do y'all suggest? It's NOT that I am necessarily a "tightwad", but I AM retired and on a fixed income nowadays.
Oh and btw, the main pressure hose was replaced sometime ago, so that is not an issue.
go cheap and your trusted mechanics recommendation and drive it…
but keep old pump and in your spare time rebuild the gaskets and o rings and pretty it up.. see my previous link..
you may need it..
good luck! And good driving Thursday
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 347
Likes: 6
From: Midwest
Will let ya'll know how the Thursday drive went
Thanks to all for your input.