Puking power steering pump
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 111
From: If your not the lead dog the view never changes Boise, Id
Puking power steering pump
a few years ago I sold my 85 to a friend of mine and I just got it back. It has been sitting for a while because the power steering stopped working. The steering wheel is very hard to turn and it almost seems like the pump is pumping backwards. When the wheel is turned power steering fluid comes puking out the top of the pump. The rack has been replaced about 15 thousand miles ago and the pump was just replaced thinking that might be the problem...it was not.
anyone have any guesses?
anyone have any guesses?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 111
From: If your not the lead dog the view never changes Boise, Id
If I am looking at this right there are only 4 pieces in an 85s hydraulic system (on the steering side): the fluid bottle, the pump, the rack, and the hoses that tie it them all together. Since I know the pump has been changed and did not solve the problem I’ll first get a new hose kit , per Benny’s suggestion. If I have the same problem that means it can only be the rack. The rack only has around 13 or so thousand miles on it but I just can’t see anything else in this system.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,749
Likes: 1,642
From: Fairfax Virginia
It has been my experience when I open a Power Steering system up and then refill it that you need the bleed out the air before you start the car. I was told to Jack up the front end and get the air out by turning the wheel one direction and then the other to the wheel locks back and forth 10 plus times and check the P/S Fluid level while you are doing this. After this is done the car works fine afterwards. My old C3 with P/S and a Steeroids Power Rack held a bunch of air in it. I followed the same procedure on my C4 and had no issues.
If you need technical expertise I would call the people at "Turn One" in Saginaw, MI at 877-GO-TURN1 or you can see them on-line. These guys have really helped me with quality parts and tons of incredible advice when I modified my original power steering system..
Be careful with NAPA and other local "Rebuilt Power Steering Pumps", it is worse than a 50/50 that you will get one that was rebuilt properly. Spend a bit extra and get a better part.
Good Luck
If you need technical expertise I would call the people at "Turn One" in Saginaw, MI at 877-GO-TURN1 or you can see them on-line. These guys have really helped me with quality parts and tons of incredible advice when I modified my original power steering system..
Be careful with NAPA and other local "Rebuilt Power Steering Pumps", it is worse than a 50/50 that you will get one that was rebuilt properly. Spend a bit extra and get a better part.
Good Luck
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 111
From: If your not the lead dog the view never changes Boise, Id
I changed out all the hoses and cleaned the bottom of the car. The leak is on the drivers side of the rack itself, I can see it dripping out of the boot at the tie rod. Does this rack need replaced or is there a seal that can be replaced?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,830
Likes: 147
From: Gainesville FL
There is a seal in there you can change but you have to pull the rack to do it. Before doing it I'd recommend Lucas power steering restore … that chit works. If the seal is split open the Lucas stuff won't work but if the seals are just flattened it can rehabilitate them.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,423
Likes: 96
From: Magnolia Tx
I agree with rharker to try the magic PS fluid, you have very little to lose. The rack seals are available and not difficult
to replace (or so it seemed) so i tried to rebuild mine. It leaked worse after i swapped seals than it did before. YMMV.
to replace (or so it seemed) so i tried to rebuild mine. It leaked worse after i swapped seals than it did before. YMMV.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,422
Likes: 3,275
From: Hartford WI
It has been my experience when I open a Power Steering system up and then refill it that you need the bleed out the air before you start the car. I was told to Jack up the front end and get the air out by turning the wheel one direction and then the other to the wheel locks back and forth 10 plus times and check the P/S Fluid level while you are doing this. After this is done the car works fine afterwards. My old C3 with P/S and a Steeroids Power Rack held a bunch of air in it. I followed the same procedure on my C4 and had no issues.
If you need technical expertise I would call the people at "Turn One" in Saginaw, MI at 877-GO-TURN1 or you can see them on-line. These guys have really helped me with quality parts and tons of incredible advice when I modified my original power steering system..
Be careful with NAPA and other local "Rebuilt Power Steering Pumps", it is worse than a 50/50 that you will get one that was rebuilt properly. Spend a bit extra and get a better part.
Good Luck
If you need technical expertise I would call the people at "Turn One" in Saginaw, MI at 877-GO-TURN1 or you can see them on-line. These guys have really helped me with quality parts and tons of incredible advice when I modified my original power steering system..
Be careful with NAPA and other local "Rebuilt Power Steering Pumps", it is worse than a 50/50 that you will get one that was rebuilt properly. Spend a bit extra and get a better part.
Good Luck
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 111
From: If your not the lead dog the view never changes Boise, Id
There is Lucas stop leak in there now but the leak is pretty significant. I might look around for a local shop to change out the seals. Just think it would be a shame to replace the whole unit, it is around 6 years old but probably has less than 15 thousand miles on it. No dead or sticky spots it just leaks.