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power steering pump
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 663
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power steering pump
My ZR1 has no problem with the power steering while driving on street tires. But with race tires, and a fast autocross course it fails.
2 weeks ago at an event I lost power steering. There was no noise, it just wasn't going to turn while going fast. A few seconds later, it's fine. Then 10 more seconds of driving and turning and it's really hard again.
I had a mechanic at the site take a look, and he thought I needed to replace the serpentine belt, assuming it was slipping. He did the replacement.
This weekend, I went to race, and the same thing happened 15 seconds into the run. The fluid did not boil, was not low, and is fresh (changed this spring) and wasn not burnt, and there were no signs of leaks.
So, a couple of guys there thought it is the power steering pump. But most posts I find say failure causes loud noise.
I'm wondering if anyone thinks there's more to it than the pump
I have another event next weekend and want to fix it completely.
Thank you,
Barbara
2 weeks ago at an event I lost power steering. There was no noise, it just wasn't going to turn while going fast. A few seconds later, it's fine. Then 10 more seconds of driving and turning and it's really hard again.
I had a mechanic at the site take a look, and he thought I needed to replace the serpentine belt, assuming it was slipping. He did the replacement.
This weekend, I went to race, and the same thing happened 15 seconds into the run. The fluid did not boil, was not low, and is fresh (changed this spring) and wasn not burnt, and there were no signs of leaks.
So, a couple of guys there thought it is the power steering pump. But most posts I find say failure causes loud noise.
I'm wondering if anyone thinks there's more to it than the pump
I have another event next weekend and want to fix it completely.
Thank you,
Barbara
Last edited by Barbara_S; May 6, 2007 at 06:19 AM. Reason: message was unclear
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Saginaw Michigan
Power Steering
I don't know that I've ever seen a pump fail that didn't snap the input shaft as it completely seized up. I wonder if the presure relief valve can stick open on the pump hence diverting the fluid internaly before it gets to the rack?
Other than that, you could have fluid blowing by the valve in the rack. This would cause the steering effort to increase, as the fluid warms or as you turn the steering wheel the valve seals reseat and presto, power steering comes back.
Just a couple of gueses.
Other than that, you could have fluid blowing by the valve in the rack. This would cause the steering effort to increase, as the fluid warms or as you turn the steering wheel the valve seals reseat and presto, power steering comes back.
Just a couple of gueses.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 663
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Edit note: He was busy too, and I doubt I verbalized that the pump wasn't telling me it was in trouble. I'm thinking plant7pugsley could have something to work with.
I'm now debating whether I should give up on making this a race car, take the suspension parts back off, and just sell it since it's a great daily driver.
I also had gone to Evolution autocross school in the car and it was a rain event, so the driving was slower, course shorter, and on street tires - no problem. Just my local fast venue gives trouble.
Last edited by Barbara_S; May 6, 2007 at 09:18 PM. Reason: afterthought
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2006
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I bught the car in November, and left it with a chevy dealer to go over the car, fix some small stuff and change fluids since I didn't have a good history of the car.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,961
Likes: 707
From: WI
Turn One will rebuild pumps for race use. Mine starts to howl really loud after a few laps but is fine otherwise. Many many people use the Turn One pump, try asking in the road race/autox section. I ran the Redline synthetic PS fluid this year, no differences, maybe the pump will live longer.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 8,991
Likes: 2
From: Hanger 18 Taxachusetts
Only happened once in a while last summer. Today driving into work I noticed most of the turns where very hard?? I could make gradual bends but it was the 90 degree turns that it acts up on. No noises, plenty of fluid ??
How do you tell if it is the pump vs the rack ??
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,270
Likes: 118
From: N. Babylon NY
Hi,
While not the same problem you have.
On my 1992 I use an underdrive pulley and redline fluid. No problems at all. Prior to this set-up my pump would whine.
I would also check your steering rack. I use to have a Mustang and when the rack went-it would stick.
I would not sell your car because of this-should be an easy fix.
Steven
While not the same problem you have.
On my 1992 I use an underdrive pulley and redline fluid. No problems at all. Prior to this set-up my pump would whine.
I would also check your steering rack. I use to have a Mustang and when the rack went-it would stick.
I would not sell your car because of this-should be an easy fix.
Steven
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
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Only happened once in a while last summer. Today driving into work I noticed most of the turns where very hard?? I could make gradual bends but it was the 90 degree turns that it acts up on. No noises, plenty of fluid ??
How do you tell if it is the pump vs the rack ??
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 8,991
Likes: 2
From: Hanger 18 Taxachusetts
Talked to someone at work today. Since I did some waterpump work last night and did get anti freeze on the belt, he thought it might just be slipping so the pump doesn't build pressure?? Sounds plausible. How would you clean that stuff off the belt and pulleys??
Also went for a ride at lunch and the steering worked fine????
Also went for a ride at lunch and the steering worked fine????