92 LT1 Power Steering Problem
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 100
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From: Fishers Indiana
92 LT1 Power Steering Problem
I have a 92 LT1 and have just recently started doing some DEs at Putnam Park (last fall) and Mid-Ohio last weekend. The same problem has occured putting me out of each on the first day. The o-ring on the pump-to-gear hose (at the pump) keeps blowing out. After Putnam last fall, I changed the hose (and the o-rings) hoping that the o-ring was just old. I had no problems on the street, but it did not take long to blow again on the track. In this case, it was in the middle of the hard right turn at the end of the backstraight (rpms were relatively high). During the lunch break, I changed the o-ring again (putting one in that is really intended for a fuel injector - I figured it could stand higher pressure). Next time out, same problem, same place - but not as abrupt loss of power steering.
I do have a pretty good idea of what needs to be done to fix the problem, but I'd like to see what someone else thinks.
Thanks.
I do have a pretty good idea of what needs to be done to fix the problem, but I'd like to see what someone else thinks.
Thanks.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 15,344
Likes: 4,009
From: Texas
Doug Rippie sells a stainless steel braided line kit for ~$100 that solves the line problem.
TurnOne will rebuild your pump for ~$120 to eliminate overheating and improve pump life.
Welcome to the biggest money pit in the world...road courses.
TurnOne will rebuild your pump for ~$120 to eliminate overheating and improve pump life.
Welcome to the biggest money pit in the world...road courses.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Fishers Indiana
Thanks for the input.
My thought is that there is a blockage in the flow of PS fluid - probably in the steering rack that is letting the pump get to some very high pressures (with relatively high rpm). I read in the manual that the pressure can get to 1250 psi on a dead head of the pump. It seems to me that it might be flow in the rack only on right turns.
I am planning on replacing the rack with a rebuilt one, but I'm not sure about whether or not I should do something with the pump.
By the way, do you have a TurnOne link?
My thought is that there is a blockage in the flow of PS fluid - probably in the steering rack that is letting the pump get to some very high pressures (with relatively high rpm). I read in the manual that the pressure can get to 1250 psi on a dead head of the pump. It seems to me that it might be flow in the rack only on right turns.
I am planning on replacing the rack with a rebuilt one, but I'm not sure about whether or not I should do something with the pump.
By the way, do you have a TurnOne link?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 15,344
Likes: 4,009
From: Texas
Originally Posted by jpobrien
Thanks for the input.
My thought is that there is a blockage in the flow of PS fluid - probably in the steering rack that is letting the pump get to some very high pressures (with relatively high rpm). I read in the manual that the pressure can get to 1250 psi on a dead head of the pump. It seems to me that it might be flow in the rack only on right turns.
I am planning on replacing the rack with a rebuilt one, but I'm not sure about whether or not I should do something with the pump.
By the way, do you have a TurnOne link?
My thought is that there is a blockage in the flow of PS fluid - probably in the steering rack that is letting the pump get to some very high pressures (with relatively high rpm). I read in the manual that the pressure can get to 1250 psi on a dead head of the pump. It seems to me that it might be flow in the rack only on right turns.
I am planning on replacing the rack with a rebuilt one, but I'm not sure about whether or not I should do something with the pump.
By the way, do you have a TurnOne link?
Pretty much all of us that put our C4s on road courses have faced ps issues. Although racks certainly go bad, the addition of the DRM line fixes the problem for many folks. The TurnOne pump seems to solve the rest. Also be sure to use a quality fluid. I personally like RedLine, but other folks like other brands.
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
Don't know if it's any kind of class restriction, but you might also consider converting to the 93L+ style single sided belt and a set of underdrive pulleys. This will slow down your power steering pump, should help it live longer.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 4,010
Likes: 26
From: Somewhere nowhere
The SS braided hose is just a super bandaid. You really need the pump rebuilt for the intended purpose of road course. My turnone pump seems to be holding up so far. One the street, it's 99% streetable.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 15,344
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From: Texas
Originally Posted by larryfs
The SS braided hose is just a super bandaid.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 4,010
Likes: 26
From: Somewhere nowhere
hmmmmmmmmm, My LT4 never blew a hose with over 5000+ track miles. But the pump used to whine badly after a hard session, and the fluid was foamy. Even with red line fluid. This is an all stock LT4.
I would say the hose cracks because of the continual high pressure from the high rpm's, or yes from vibs.
so now that the pump is pumping way less, sure there is less heat, less pressure and less volume though the hose.
good thought though.....
I only changed the pump and I also went to the DRM hose because I had to pull the rack for inner tie rod ends, and I needed an intermediate shaft. Otherwise I would have left it alone...
I would say the hose cracks because of the continual high pressure from the high rpm's, or yes from vibs.
so now that the pump is pumping way less, sure there is less heat, less pressure and less volume though the hose.
good thought though.....
I only changed the pump and I also went to the DRM hose because I had to pull the rack for inner tie rod ends, and I needed an intermediate shaft. Otherwise I would have left it alone...
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