power steering
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: prescott valley az
power steering
Should a person be able to 1 arm turn the wheel when sitting at a stop light? I believe the power steering went out on this 87, the fluid is black, I new to the corvette rack-n-pinion steering, I don't know what the "feel" should be. What does yours feel like?
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,660
Likes: 22
yep
sumthins wrong....
the R&P IS a fairly "heavy" feel, but its still PS and you should be able to turn the wheel one hand while sitting. That's stressful on the system but it CAN be done.
Pumps probably shot. Problem is this..
if one part of this small, intimate hydraulic system fails, the rest of the system is contaminated and WILL eventually fail as well.
It is a huge PITA to change ANY piece. So, My advice is to get a new pump, a new or rebuilt RACK, flush ALL the hoses and the reservoir. Pumps are cheap, racks go for around $250 exchange.
sumthins wrong....
the R&P IS a fairly "heavy" feel, but its still PS and you should be able to turn the wheel one hand while sitting. That's stressful on the system but it CAN be done.
Pumps probably shot. Problem is this..
if one part of this small, intimate hydraulic system fails, the rest of the system is contaminated and WILL eventually fail as well.
It is a huge PITA to change ANY piece. So, My advice is to get a new pump, a new or rebuilt RACK, flush ALL the hoses and the reservoir. Pumps are cheap, racks go for around $250 exchange.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: prescott valley az
there is no noise or popping, but im 6-2 and I can barley 1 arm it.. ill post a photo if it. I know it sounds redneck, but after the pump swap and system flush why cant I install an inline filter on the low pressure return side? try to get more life out of the rack. the owner doesn't have deep pockets
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
If nothing else get the PS fluid flushed out and use something like Red Line Synthetic PS fluid. The original pump on my '87 was starting to squeal especially during autocross and track days. I flushed the old fluid, put in some Red Line fluid and the noise stopped. A couple years after that, I did replace the rack and added a PS cooler. But the pump is still original and so are the pressure hoses. The Red Line fluid has a reddish tint to it and it's still clear.
There is no real need for a filter; re-manufactured pumps and racks are usually cleaned pretty well. But if the hoses are original to the car, the black fluid could indicate that the hoses are breaking down internally.
A bad rack will usually identify itself by squealing when cold, shuddering when turning, or extremely high effort. The "squeal" is called "morning sickness" and is a sure indication that it's ready to be replaced. Another thing you may want to check for is serpentine belt tightness. Not enough tension and the belt can slip on the pump pulley.
There is no real need for a filter; re-manufactured pumps and racks are usually cleaned pretty well. But if the hoses are original to the car, the black fluid could indicate that the hoses are breaking down internally.
A bad rack will usually identify itself by squealing when cold, shuddering when turning, or extremely high effort. The "squeal" is called "morning sickness" and is a sure indication that it's ready to be replaced. Another thing you may want to check for is serpentine belt tightness. Not enough tension and the belt can slip on the pump pulley.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
Another problem that I have seen personally is that you're turning the steering wheel and it suddenly "sticks" but goes back to normal after you get past that one spot. This only happens when it's cold.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: prescott valley az
I took it out for a test drive after we got the tranny in, and YES we got buzzing along with some shudder and popping
I figure its all shot... I think I'm going to
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,383
Likes: 2,736
I'm not a big fan of "bottled fixes" but I've heard good of the Lucas power steering conditioner. A flush with maybe basic power steering fluid and a final fill of the Lucas:
http://www.lucasoil.com/products/dis...tid=9&loc=show
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,383
Likes: 2,736
You mention "typically use" - now you've got issues! Is that the cause? Could certainly be debated!
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,492
Likes: 61
From: New Jersey
Use only "power steering fluid" - it may take a good bit of but just buy some off the shelf actual PS fluid and flush until it's reasonable clean and then add the Lucas. If you've been using ATF for the PS I'd certainly change. It's often debated but I don't know why a person would want to just not use the actual product that's mentioned.
You mention "typically use" - now you've got issues! Is that the cause? Could certainly be debated!
You mention "typically use" - now you've got issues! Is that the cause? Could certainly be debated!
Use what is recommended - power steering fluid not trans fluid.