Lucas makes a soloution to help resolve powersteering problems? Thanks for the info.
Steering rack quick fix. Lucas?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
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From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Steering rack quick fix. Lucas?
What kind of lucas oil do I need to shut up my steering racks' morning sickness?
Is there different kinds of lucas or will this quart I have that's thicker than midget snot do the trick?
Also do you think using Mobil1 synthetic ATF in the power steering could be partly to blame?
Is there different kinds of lucas or will this quart I have that's thicker than midget snot do the trick?
Also do you think using Mobil1 synthetic ATF in the power steering could be partly to blame?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
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From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Well, I'm still getting groaning in the system when I drive it hard, even with the PS cooler. So I figured the magical M1 would have a higher boiling temp.
I'm starting to think though, that the fluid is just cavitating from a worn out PS pump. ATF and PS fluid aren't all that different, they're both hydraulic lubricants.
But that's a seperate issue from the cranky steering rack.
I'm starting to think though, that the fluid is just cavitating from a worn out PS pump. ATF and PS fluid aren't all that different, they're both hydraulic lubricants.
But that's a seperate issue from the cranky steering rack.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,858
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From: Santa Maria CA
That's the one I used. I was about to replace the rack, but this worked and it saved me from having to. Not only did it clear the moaning and sticking upon a cold start up, but it also stopped a leak I had at the same time. I did nothing else. Have you bled the system?
Last edited by 86PACER; Dec 1, 2006 at 03:38 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,721
Likes: 149
From: North Carolina
I had the same problem. I drained my system, put in valvoline sythetic power steering fluid, and added a touch of the Lucas and haven't heard a peep out of my pump since even after pushing the car hard at Summit Point this summer.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 729
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From: Concord North Carolina
When I have my foot on the brakes say in the driveway and I turn the wheel, its like I have no powersteering. No squeaking. Just a real **tch to turn. I think its my powersteering pump. Is there a cheap "temporarily" soloution until I can get some spare $$ to fix it permanently. Is it even my power steering pump going wrong. Its not morning sickness. It's all the time. Does anyone know how much one would cost? Do they have rebuilt ones that are actually worth it. Sorry I am not trying to hijack the thread. Just asking since its kind of a topic here. Thanks.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
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From: pa
hey cc for 6 or 7 bucks what have you got to lose ? use valvoline syn power st. fluid. lucas cured morning sickness 4 yrs ago. i put 2 bottles in summer and drain and put 1 bottle in winter. have had a new rack setting in garage for 4 yrs, when old rack goes, will put it in.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Less Talk, More WOT | Houston TX
Originally Posted by CentralCoaster
What kind of lucas oil do I need to shut up my steering racks' morning sickness?
Is there different kinds of lucas or will this quart I have that's thicker than midget snot do the trick?
Also do you think using Mobil1 synthetic ATF in the power steering could be partly to blame?
Is there different kinds of lucas or will this quart I have that's thicker than midget snot do the trick?
Also do you think using Mobil1 synthetic ATF in the power steering could be partly to blame?
They are cheap.
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From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Kevin, I used Valvoline Syntech PS fluid. The stuff silenced the moaning immediately! Just siphoned the old fluid out and serviced. I repeated the procedure again about a week later.
After two years it looks (sounds) like I need to replace the fluid again.
After two years it looks (sounds) like I need to replace the fluid again.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: The Pines South Jersey
I used seafoams trans tune per the can, wrote a tech tip about it
PS Pump and rack/pinion maintenance
PS Pump and rack/pinion maintenance
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,564
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From: Woodstock Georgia
Lucas Power Steering Stop Leak is a synthetic and advertised to stop minor leaks (not your issue) and to improve rack performance. I do not know if it actually stops leaks, but I have had customer feedback that it seemed to make the steering 'easier'. Hope this helps.
ps-- I am NOT going to get into another debate over the benefits, or lack thereof, with Lucas products.
ps-- I am NOT going to get into another debate over the benefits, or lack thereof, with Lucas products.
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I used the Lucas Power Steering fix it stuff.
Worked pretty good except for those cold mornings. The groaning went away unless it was below say 40 degrees.
Worked pretty good except for those cold mornings. The groaning went away unless it was below say 40 degrees.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
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From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
It will never get under 40 here, so it sounds like a great idea.
Also I should mention the Mobil1 ATF turns foamy after running it hard, what's up with that? I bled the system about 58 times.
I guess I'll just break down and put power steering fluid in my power steering system.
Also I should mention the Mobil1 ATF turns foamy after running it hard, what's up with that? I bled the system about 58 times.
I guess I'll just break down and put power steering fluid in my power steering system.
) 
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
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From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Well, the Lucas concrete mix didn't perform too well, which doesn't surprise me. I added a whole bottle, like the bottle says too, and the pump is starving and groaning louder than ever. It's completely obscene for the first 5 minutes of driving.
It was loud as hell in 20 degree weather, and 60 degree weather.
I think my hose routing is causing air to get trapped in the cooler which is higher than the reservoir ports, but it's on the discharge side of the pump so it shouldn't matter. I sucked fluid out of the reservior with a turkey baster and refilled it, so there should be no need to bleed the system.
The system has always whined when hot, I suppose I should buy a new pump AND rack. Ho ho ho.
It was loud as hell in 20 degree weather, and 60 degree weather.
I think my hose routing is causing air to get trapped in the cooler which is higher than the reservoir ports, but it's on the discharge side of the pump so it shouldn't matter. I sucked fluid out of the reservior with a turkey baster and refilled it, so there should be no need to bleed the system.
The system has always whined when hot, I suppose I should buy a new pump AND rack. Ho ho ho.
