Well, I knew it would happen eventually, but I guess I didn't expect it after just 1 week. My '72 just sprung a new leak. It seems that the seal at the pitman arm ball stud on my power steering system is leaking. I've driven the car quite a bit in the past week and I've been meticulous about checking for leaks each morning before I drive it and each evening after I park it. This morning, we had a fresh puddle of power steering fluid and a visible drip from the valve body. My intention for this car is to address each failure with the best quality replacement or upgrade each time. I'm not really concerned with historical accuracy as my goal is to drive it extensively for many years to come. With that in mind, does anyone have a recommendation for a high quality replacement or perfromance upgrade?

 

Borgeson.Get rid of all the crap underneath and enjoy better feeling steering and NO leaks for good

 

Power steering leaks are ongoing with a factory system. I know. I run a factory system. I've repaired leaks way more times than I can count. And next time. I'll fix it again!
However, your interest is driving and to not have recurring leaks. Put in a Borgeson conversion complete with reinforcement bracket and be done.

 

Borgeson conversion
<or>
Manual steering conversion
(I've done one of each, and both are great solutions that suit the cars they are in).

The stock power steering system will continue to disappoint you until you remove it.

 

Bikespace is telling it like it is.
Stubborn people like me will keep fixing the stock system. I am not disappointed. My original steering works brilliantly. And once in awhile I fix another leak! If that bothers you. You put in a more modern system and completely change the character of your car.

 

I've had stock power steering for decades. Mine does NOT leak at all. Only time it leaked on it's own was when it required a low pressure hose. SO - I'm reckoning it is fixable ---- or I'm the luckiest SOB on earth.

 

I rebuilt the original factory Stock Power Steering system and got it to stay dry under the car. Then after years of complaining about the "not so precise steering" I went ahead and converted my C3 to a Steeroids Rack and Pinion system. A couple calls to Turn One Steering and they set me straight with my flow rate to get the power steering pump working properly. Turn One is the place with the answers regarding any power steering system used on American cars. They also have the best parts and help!

The Steeroids Rack and Pinion install is easily done and can be un-done if someone would like to go backwards. I have been looking at the electric Power steering systems and they are starting to look more interesting. I would love to ditch the hydraulic system on the front of my car altogether.

One trick to make the parts last longer in your factory stock power steering system is to add a extra reservoir or a tube type cooler to increase the volume of power steering fluid. On my C3 I put a big reservoir in my system mounted on the wheel well. The extra fluid really changes things in the P.S. system as the fluid stays cooler and the seals in the system will last longer.

For my 1988 C4 with it's factory Power steering system they put the plastic reservoir behind the radiator and all it's heat. I then insulated the power steering hoses as I also have long tube headers which can get hot. Today both my cars are running almost double the amount of P.S. Fluid which should help their life expectancy.

Cooler power steering fluid will help your power steering system last longer by protecting the seals. Turn One said the biggest problem is heat as it destroys the seals inside the steering components. The solution is fairly simple and not very expensive.

 

You can rebuild that control valve yourself for less than a six pack of Guinness. A seal kit and a bucket with a 1/2 gallon of gasoline.

 

I like this idea. I'm still running the stock system as well.

 

I know that the Borgeson steering boxes and rack and pinion steering is quite a popular upgrade along forum members here. Personal I was never was a fan any of the aftermarket suspension/steering upgrades. All that stuff seems kinda wonky (steering column connection, geometry, etc) to me and I think the factory stuff was very well engineered. Yes the C3 power steering system was a outdated when compared to other cars of the era, but it did work. Anyway I was watching this YouTube video day and I think it's worth a watch for anyone thinking about doing
steering/suspension changes.
​​​​​

 

Yeah ,Every couple of yrs!

 

Thank you for all the helpful recommendations. In the end, I opted to stick with the factory set-up for the time being since it's summer and I just want to get it back up and driving as quickly as possible. I ordered the entire kit from Zip with the valve, the cylinder, and the hoses. I'd like to log more miles behind the wheel before I decide to go manual or aftermarket. Unit is shipping today so I'm hoping to install it Friday night after work.

 

I just installed a borgeson system and took my car for a test drive to a local cruise. I am very pleased with it I also replaced my a arms and bushings with tubular versions which increased caster so that also had an effect but wow! its like a modern car now! the steering is not as light as before but the ratio an feel is like the R&P of my old z51 84 vette.
I had rebuilt my old system myself and while it did get wet it again a couple years later it never actually dripped that I noticed so theres a chance you might get lucky with the rebuilt setup. My uncles 76 is on the third rebuilt /replacement setup in 10 years.

 

I'm actually selling a basically brand new Stock PS system off my 78. If your interested, new valve, new cylinder, new hoses and the stock low mileage no play steering box out of my 78. I did new parts (not rebuilt) due to time constraints but ended up doing the borg swap. The quicker ratio is nice for sure but can't say its as easy assist as I was hoping. I'm about to swap pressure valves in my pump to try and get the spec that borg recommends. I did have an issue with my fittings and hoses at the box tho. Something not fully threaded in my adapters or the hose end caused them to not bottom out fully to seal so I had to reef down on them but they always slow slow leaked on the return side fitting at the box. two diff sets of fitting adapters and same so I think either the hose or the adapter messed up the first go and then the hose end messed up the 2nd fitting. I Just put on a AN adapter and used a pushlock fitting (return side low pressure). The Borg is ALOT more work than just replacing the parts on the stock system if your not prepared for that. I didn't use the borg rag joint either and went with a Ujoint which adds to the work.

 

Right... just like that fuel injection you put on it did...

Joking aside, Its all about where we choose to draw or lines on what we value more.. As I sputtered home yesterday with popping and a lean AFR once again from my carb clearly having some form of contamination once again despite the 2 different levels of inline filters I find myself not caring so much for the originality of a carb setup anymore. I want a car I enjoy driving more with less headaches at this point. So many get to that point with the 1950s c3 steering system.

 

Hey OP, you've received some good alternative ideas. And welcome to the wonderful world of C3s. We love 'em, but you're discovering a truism: the only C3 that doesn't have some leaks is one that soon will.

 

For the cost of the Borgeson adapter (part 990002), you can get a taste of manual steering, while making no other changes.

And when you do inevitably switch to Borgeson steering, that's one less part to buy!

 

Luckily, I've had a lifetime of old ****** jeeps to prepare me for this specific situation. 🤣

 

Don't forget to watch the videos to equalize the cylinder after installation Otherwise the car will want to pull one way or the other.

 

Ya know, I've adjusted more than one power steering control valve. And I have never needed to watch a video! There is a much better option. It's a bit old fashioned perhaps. But a much, much better way. Read the Factory manual!