Power Steering Failure - Pump or Rack?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 279
Likes: 7
From: L.A., CA.
Power Steering Failure - Pump or Rack?
My LT4 power steering went intermittent at the track today.
This seems like a pump problem, especially because of the whine noise;
and the slight burnt smell of the fluid.
What is the usual failure mode? Is there an upgrade for the pump?
Is there an underdrive pully setup that might make it last longer?
There dosn't seem to be much room for a larger pump pully,
so it probably needs a smaller crank pully.
BTW it seems that Chevy has discontinued the synthetic power steering fluid.
I'm now using Redline.
This seems like a pump problem, especially because of the whine noise;
and the slight burnt smell of the fluid.
What is the usual failure mode? Is there an upgrade for the pump?
Is there an underdrive pully setup that might make it last longer?
There dosn't seem to be much room for a larger pump pully,
so it probably needs a smaller crank pully.
BTW it seems that Chevy has discontinued the synthetic power steering fluid.
I'm now using Redline.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,199
Likes: 1
From: NewCastle IN. USA
Re: Power Steering Failure - Pump or Rack? (Zpeedstr)
from what I've read in the autocross/road race section, everyone recommends a power steering radiator/cooler for durability of the pump.
you might ask there if no one has the answer here.
you might ask there if no one has the answer here.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 3,581
Likes: 1
From: Springfield VA
Re: Power Steering Failure - Pump or Rack? (Zpeedstr)
The whine and burnt fluid is from the pump. Are there any signs that the fluid was boiling? High speed track events and especially autocrosses can put a serious hurt on pumps and R&Ps temp wise. If you are boiling the fluid as well, get a OEM p/s cooler for an early LT1. Talk with Jeff Kopp, 18carfan on the forum. The cooler is a pretty easy install.
