Power Steering Issues
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 133
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Power Steering Issues
Hey guys. 96 Corvette CE, Auto...
Losing 2 quarts of power steering fluid as quickly as I put it in. I found the spot. It's leaking at the fitting from what I believe is the High Pressure Hose in the top of the pump just behind the pulley. Local mechanic wants 350+ to change this. It's wrapped under their pretty good, Is this user serviceable? I'm very mechanical, any reason why I can't do this myself?
Pete
Losing 2 quarts of power steering fluid as quickly as I put it in. I found the spot. It's leaking at the fitting from what I believe is the High Pressure Hose in the top of the pump just behind the pulley. Local mechanic wants 350+ to change this. It's wrapped under their pretty good, Is this user serviceable? I'm very mechanical, any reason why I can't do this myself?
Pete
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
There's not a whole lot of room to work there, but if you remove the alternator, unbolt the A/C compressor and swing it around so it's towards the radiator, you will gain some room. You may have to unbolt the ASR stuff and push it out of the way.
It might be a good idea to replace all of the PS hoses, not just the leaky one. Get some good quality hoses and when the new ones are in, leave the return hose loose so you can bleed and flush the entire system. I run Red Line synthetic PS fluid in my 87 that sees lots of high RPM use in autocross and track days, and even without a cooler, the original PS pump works fine and there is no noise at all.
It might be a good idea to replace all of the PS hoses, not just the leaky one. Get some good quality hoses and when the new ones are in, leave the return hose loose so you can bleed and flush the entire system. I run Red Line synthetic PS fluid in my 87 that sees lots of high RPM use in autocross and track days, and even without a cooler, the original PS pump works fine and there is no noise at all.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Tucson AZ
Make sure you get the right hose. If I am not mistaken, our 96s use an updated hose with slightly different routing that is an improvement. I just replaced my PS rack, pump, and hoses so I say yeah - go for it. I actually went with a DRM braided hose for the pressure side.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 3,215
Likes: 6
From: Tampa Florida
99% chance the hose is cracked at the flare...common problem especially with 'tracked' cars.
If you use yours heavily...the DRM hose nearly eliminates the issue.
The repair is definitely able to be done at home. Easiest thing is to remove the pulley from the PS (Autozone has tools) and access should be easy then (leave pump on car). A flare/crow's foot will be needed on the rack.
If you use yours heavily...the DRM hose nearly eliminates the issue.
The repair is definitely able to be done at home. Easiest thing is to remove the pulley from the PS (Autozone has tools) and access should be easy then (leave pump on car). A flare/crow's foot will be needed on the rack.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,510
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
I had a gusher on my sons '96 at the same location. Turned out to be a $0.35 "O" ring failure. It was an easy fix:
1) remove PS pully
2) remove PS hold down clamp(follow the line down and you will find it)
3) remove High pressure hose using crows foot wrench(plumbers wrench)
4) replace O ring
I have also heard that the PS line is prone to cracking. So if your O ring looks fine, check to see if the PS line has fractured.
Here's what caused the gusher on my son's LT4 :
1) remove PS pully
2) remove PS hold down clamp(follow the line down and you will find it)
3) remove High pressure hose using crows foot wrench(plumbers wrench)
4) replace O ring
I have also heard that the PS line is prone to cracking. So if your O ring looks fine, check to see if the PS line has fractured.
Here's what caused the gusher on my son's LT4 :
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,510
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
$350 from your local mechanic !!!!!!!! What did he say was the problem?
Trust me, it is either a $0.35 cent "O" ring or a $50 PS hose.....
Dayum, I hate these rip off artists.... that is just NUTZ.....
Trust me, it is either a $0.35 cent "O" ring or a $50 PS hose.....
Dayum, I hate these rip off artists.... that is just NUTZ.....
