Power Steering Fluid
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,153
Likes: 1,731
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Yep, they'll turn black. Best to get it out once it does go that way, which is why a flush is preferable to just sucking it out and replacing.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 233
Likes: 1
From: Parkersburg WV
I took it back to the dealer and they said they "knew they had flushed it". They offered to do it again no charge and are checking on the price of a steering rack. I had them see if they could put the Z51 option on. It's very dangerous, I was lucky the car had problems when I picked it up from the service the first time, so I knew something was up before I started driving. Imagine being out on the road going 128 and the power steering goes out, then you pull on it really hard and all of a sudden it starts working again and you really oversteer. This happened at low speed on the way home from the dealer and it was quite exciting.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 233
Likes: 1
From: Parkersburg WV
I think I figured out what happened. The dealer said they "knew they flushed it", so I think when they hooked it up and ran the flush through it, it didn't rinse. That's why the fluid is still so black and full of dirt and, the flush contaminated my power steering fluid so that I am having trouble with the power steering. I will be getting it flushed tomorrow free of charge and I bet I won't have to get another steering rack.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 233
Likes: 1
From: Parkersburg WV
Wrong guess. Guess my power steering rack is leaking. Even the mechanic who just put my B&B cat back said. The dealer wants 890.00 for the whole thing installed. That's probably the way I'll go but, I wonder if GM has fixed the thing with the sleeve and the piston now? Are there any better alternatives?
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 15
From: Wallingford Vermont
I wonder if GM has fixed the thing with the sleeve and the piston now? Are there any better alternatives?
). Most of the rebuilts have a steel sleeve the piston runs in, the original equipment didn't thus wore poorly. I don't know if the new GM units are steel sleeved (I wouldn't count on it). As far as the flush, I think you're wasting your time/money. I have to ask, why did you drag your C4 to a dealer?