Steering rack dead?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 51,504
Likes: 6
From: Sacramento CA
Steering rack dead?
The hard-to-steer feeling under 30 was always there, so I figured it was normal in the Z51 suspension car. It's always made noise with the wheel to either extreme.
When WOT, in a turn, i hear a whining.
Now I found fluid on the garage floor, and the car makes a LOT of noise doing right turns and "clicks" sometimes, feels like a rock-in-a-gear until the thing warms up.
Question is... I'm sure the rack is dead right?
Should I be proactive and replace the pump at the same time?
How hard of a job is this?
Any other bits/pieces I should replace while i'm down there?
Man, and I just got out of debt and was going to list the car in the paper :mad:
Looks like $88 for the pump and $222 for the rack. Plus I bet shipping costs a fortune on it.
If I could at least stop the leak, I could sell it in this condition "as is."
It almost seems to be coming from the power steering resivoir. Clear fluid in, graphite colored and consistency fluid out.
[Modified by Smash, 4:57 PM 11/23/2001]
When WOT, in a turn, i hear a whining.
Now I found fluid on the garage floor, and the car makes a LOT of noise doing right turns and "clicks" sometimes, feels like a rock-in-a-gear until the thing warms up.
Question is... I'm sure the rack is dead right?
Should I be proactive and replace the pump at the same time?
How hard of a job is this?
Any other bits/pieces I should replace while i'm down there?
Man, and I just got out of debt and was going to list the car in the paper :mad:
Looks like $88 for the pump and $222 for the rack. Plus I bet shipping costs a fortune on it.
If I could at least stop the leak, I could sell it in this condition "as is."
It almost seems to be coming from the power steering resivoir. Clear fluid in, graphite colored and consistency fluid out.
[Modified by Smash, 4:57 PM 11/23/2001]
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Re: Steering rack dead? (Smash)
The rack and pump are normal parts house in stock/quickly gotten locally...no shipping.....next door....should be less than you mentioned,....plus you need align the car tow in of course...
GENE
GENE
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,198
Likes: 2
From: Northern CA
Re: Steering rack dead? (Smash)
When you say "rock-in-a-gear" are you saying the steering wheels feels like it binds up? Like the power assist is gone?
My guess is the pump is gone. Not sure of the L98 arrangement, so I don't know what the reservoir leak means. I assume the reservoir on the L98 sits on top of the pump...
Personally I would try replacing the pump first...much cheaper and doesn't require a re-alignment. Also make sure you've got fresh fluid in the system, and your belt and tensioner are nice and tight (try to look for the tension marks on the tensioner).
On the LT1, PS pump replacement looks fairly simple but you need some funky tools to get the pulley on/off.
My guess is the pump is gone. Not sure of the L98 arrangement, so I don't know what the reservoir leak means. I assume the reservoir on the L98 sits on top of the pump...
Personally I would try replacing the pump first...much cheaper and doesn't require a re-alignment. Also make sure you've got fresh fluid in the system, and your belt and tensioner are nice and tight (try to look for the tension marks on the tensioner).
On the LT1, PS pump replacement looks fairly simple but you need some funky tools to get the pulley on/off.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 6,252
Likes: 2
From: Silicon Valley Kalifornia
Re: Steering rack dead? (Smash)
I'm getting ready to do mine soon. When cold, it will not pwr steer.
I think the prices you quoted are acurate enough. BTW, pwr steering 'moan' is normal when turning to the extreme limit, as you described. :flag
I think the prices you quoted are acurate enough. BTW, pwr steering 'moan' is normal when turning to the extreme limit, as you described. :flag
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,516
Likes: 0
From: Lockport NY
Re: Steering rack dead? (Smash)
i swapped the fluid tonight. I'll probably buy the TLD rack to make sure I get the Z51 ratio. Ive heard a few nightmares.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 51,504
Likes: 6
From: Sacramento CA
Re: Steering rack dead? (Rich B.)
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