Power steering problem
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio Texas
Power steering problem
My power steering fluid in my 86 has a slightly metallic color to it, I'm told it's bad and something about a bearing going out. Any ideas?
Last edited by mrdahk; Feb 15, 2009 at 02:55 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,043
Likes: 8
From: Tampa Florida
Just looks like old oxidized fluid to me. If your having no problems with the unit I wouldn't mess with it until it leaks or breaks on its own. You could get a big suction style turkey baster thingy and suck as much fluid out as you can reach then refill the reservoir back to full.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,171
Likes: 1
From: Warwick RI
Just looks like old oxidized fluid to me. If your having no problems with the unit I wouldn't mess with it until it leaks or breaks on its own. You could get a big suction style turkey baster thingy and suck as much fluid out as you can reach then refill the reservoir back to full.
If it aint broke...
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio Texas
Just looks like old oxidized fluid to me. If your having no problems with the unit I wouldn't mess with it until it leaks or breaks on its own. You could get a big suction style turkey baster thingy and suck as much fluid out as you can reach then refill the reservoir back to full.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
It typically takes about 6-8 times with the turkey baster to get most all of the old fluid out. Slow, but it does work.
You can also remove the return hose going to the reservoir, start the engine and let it idle. That will begin to drain the reservoir, the rack and the pump. Turn the steering wheel back and forth slowly until you get a constant groan. That will indicate that everything is close to empty.
Then replace the hose, refill the reservoir with fresh fluid, start the engine, turn the steering wheel lock to lock, refill, rinse and repeat. You should probably do this once with cheap PS fluid before a final new fluid fill. Sort of like flushing the cooling system.
If you have a noise every time you turn the steering wheel, it could be the pump going south. The early C4 pumps can be pricey and rebuilds have been known to not be an exact replacement for the C4. You would also have to swap the pulley on a reman unit.
If you do a fluid flush, use something like Red Line synthetic PS fluid. I use it in my 87 for track days, and I don't have any issues with the fluid overheating or any noise. The pump is the original one.
You can also remove the return hose going to the reservoir, start the engine and let it idle. That will begin to drain the reservoir, the rack and the pump. Turn the steering wheel back and forth slowly until you get a constant groan. That will indicate that everything is close to empty.
Then replace the hose, refill the reservoir with fresh fluid, start the engine, turn the steering wheel lock to lock, refill, rinse and repeat. You should probably do this once with cheap PS fluid before a final new fluid fill. Sort of like flushing the cooling system.
If you have a noise every time you turn the steering wheel, it could be the pump going south. The early C4 pumps can be pricey and rebuilds have been known to not be an exact replacement for the C4. You would also have to swap the pulley on a reman unit.
If you do a fluid flush, use something like Red Line synthetic PS fluid. I use it in my 87 for track days, and I don't have any issues with the fluid overheating or any noise. The pump is the original one.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio Texas
I got most of it out, the color's much clearer now than it was, still a little dark, but much better. I'll drive it for a couple days and give yall an update, thanks for the suggestions.
mmmmmmm
mmmmmmm
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,616
Likes: 5
From: Sandhills of North Carolina
My steering didn't seem quite right and I did this only once. Seemed to help a lot. I'm going to do it again soon.
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