I have a 1996 Corvette that has no power steering. My shop said the power steering pump was bad. So I went to Autozone and bought a reman one. Had shop put it on and when I went to pick it up there still was no power steering. So they said the pump went bad so I got another one from Autozone and they put it on. Went to pick it up and it was now working fine. Next day every now and then the steering would not work but most of the time it worked fine. So today went to bring the car in for state inspection and it no longer worked. I cannot believe that I got two bad pumps feor Autozone. The repair place recommended puting on a AC Delco pump. I did called a Chevy dealership in town and they said they no longer sell new pumps or reman ones. So do not understand how my shop says they can get one. Anyway I am spending all of this money and getting no resolution. Does anyone have any advice on this issue? I read it could be the rack and pinion part but after the second pump was installed it worked for a couple of days. My car has 88K and otherwise no other issues.

Thanks,

Apolloshep

 

There are lots of places to get A/C delco besides the stealer. Rock Auto sells them for I think around $105 (core also). You will get a lot of mixed feelings about parts from auto zone. If you care about your car, Only buy your cleaning supplies and air fresheners from auto zone. Just my $.02

 

Have you checked the belt for slipping on the pulley?

I bought a Turn 1 pump and have had zero issues with it. Great company IMHO.

 

You have to first consider the shop I guess and the diagnostics. IF in fact you have received 2 defective PS pumps from Autozone I believe they will participate in a reimbursement of some of the labor if you have invoices. It might require a conversation with management but it's likely that they would participate. I don't know that there's an advantage to the ACD product, years ago yes but their parts are sourced from the same rebuilders as some/most of the other vendors.

If you bought a pump and walked into a shop and asked them to install with no diagnostics then they've done for you what you asked. Diagnostics I'd say are the first order of business NOW.

 

I have purchased a Cardone SP from Rock Bottom Auto (they do not have Delco and it appares no one can get one from what I have been told and have no idea when they will be made available) and will let you all know if this resolves the issue. I found a GM repair place that will do solid trouleshooting. I will respond back to wheather this issue gets resolved or if it turns out to be a more involved issue. Thank you for your replies.

 

You could be continously circulating crap / debris through your pump

may I suggest putting a filter in the return line from the rack to the pump ? No you probably won't find one listed for power steering, but an automatic transmission in line filter works just fine.

and the last time I checked, a new power steering pump from the dealer was close to five hundred dollars (installation extra)

 

I had another A/C shop (not dealer) put in a cardone steering pump and they replaced the serpentine belt and all is well. Thanks for your replies. I hope it was not just the belt since I spent a bunch of money on the repair.

 

I seriously doubt belt slippage could accomplish the faults you describe
without making itself obvious. It is quite possible to get a "bad" pump from budget retailers like Auto Zone. BUT I have to question whether the replacement pump was properly installed/bleed. A dry PS pump with suffer rather quickly. Also as mtwoolford pointed out, if the previous unit failed debris could have well contaminated the fluid system.

 

I would have to agree with you. The place that did the first two steering pumps I have to question thier service skills. I had an engine code issue as well saying a purge valve was bad they said they could only get one not the other two. So they shot gunned it. As luck would be they got the right one. The shop that fixed the steering pump is a ac deco repair shop and their techs are fully certified on Cadillacs and other GM vehicles. They fixed it in one day it took the other shop three weeks and still did not fix it. So will not be bringing my corvette to them again as well as my 2002 trans am ws6. I think like you said they installed it w/o cleaning the lines or something. Oh we'll much money spent but a lesson learned. Thank you for your reply.