Power steering died
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 788
Likes: 160
From: Rio Rico, AZ
Power steering died
Last night while I was out and backing out of a parking spot. Heard a knock or pop. The pressure needed to turn the steering wheel went up in seconds. I was able to drive home. The power steering reservoir was nearly empty. One hose is wet near where the hose is crimped into the metal fitting. The rack doesn't doesn't look it is leaking. Will the pump self destruct when the fluid is suddenly lost? Can that damage the rack?
On a brighter note, today my wife and I celebrate our 44th wedding anniversary!
Went
On a brighter note, today my wife and I celebrate our 44th wedding anniversary!
Went
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 788
Likes: 160
From: Rio Rico, AZ
So far the growling pump has been replaced along with the leaking high pressure line. When they started it up one end of the rack started puking out power steering fluid. So I'm getting a replacement rack too. It is a two turn rack. They are trying to find one locally. Oh boy, this not be cheap...
Went
Went
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 2,069
Likes: 262
From: Park Ridge New Jersey
someone recently posted a place that rebuilds racks
Here's the thread
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...nd-pinion.html
Here's the thread
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...nd-pinion.html
Last edited by vette196; Mar 12, 2019 at 03:36 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,462
Likes: 3,288
From: Hartford WI
I replaced all my hoses as soon as one was damp. I would definitely shop around right now since it took several months to get all the hoses. Yes, the temptation would be to skip the hard to find one or two and risk it but I wouldn't give in to it. I went to 2 different vendors to get all the hoses and while your hose is out, I'd go get it all done.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 788
Likes: 160
From: Rio Rico, AZ
I talked with Turn One. They are 2~3 weeks out in the shop not including shipping there and back. This is my daily driver car too. So I really need to find something sooner than that. I will have all the hoses replaced, not just the high pressure hose. I've seen a couple rebuilt racks that have a 5 year warranty but the quickest wouldn't ship till 3/28/19. Might be that is just the reality of the thing. What's the difference in feel between the NS rack and the FH slower rack?
Went
Went
Last edited by Went; Mar 13, 2019 at 05:32 PM.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 2,069
Likes: 262
From: Park Ridge New Jersey
I talked with Turn One. They are 2~3 weeks out in the shop not including shipping there and back. This is my daily driver car too. So I really need to find something sooner than that. I will have all the hoses replaced, not just the high pressure hose. I've seen a couple rebuilt racks that have a 5 year warranty but the quickest wouldn't ship till 3/28/19. Might be that is just the reality of the thing. What's the difference in feel between the NS rack and the FH slower rack?
Went
Went
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 788
Likes: 160
From: Rio Rico, AZ
It looks like I'll be using the rush job option of $150 extra at Turn One. We've found lots of places that sell the two turn NS racks but have nothing on the shelf. Guess my best bet is Turn One. Think maybe I'll find another and have it rebuilt after this experience. Have a spare on the shelf.
Went
Went
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 85
Likes: 4
From: Whetstone Arizona
Zip advertises rack and pinions for $219 for both the standard and sport rack. Detroit Axle cells new ones for around $400 and Auto Zone says $149 I believe but they only sell the standard model. The sport is 1 7/8's turn compared to 2 1/4 for the standard. I bought a complete hose kit from Zip's and changed my leaky pump but now I can't keep air out of the system so it howls like the hounds of hell. The Rack is the only component that won't hold vacuum so I've been looking at replacing it with a sport unit. I would think it would be a direct swap. Does anyone here know for sure?
Last edited by waddiejohn; Mar 22, 2019 at 05:07 AM. Reason: I misquoted some numbers.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 788
Likes: 160
From: Rio Rico, AZ
The problem I found with locating a NS sport rack for my 89 was nothing in stock. Several places listed them on their websites but when called said there was nothing on the shelf. Autozone was like this...nothing on the shelf and no idea when they'd have one. Other places "sold" them but the deal was send your old one in to be rebuilt.2~3 week lead time. And, who is doing the rebuild? I didn't want it rebuilt by just anyone so I sent my sport rack to Turn One Steering and am paying the $150 expediting fee to get it quicker.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 788
Likes: 160
From: Rio Rico, AZ
Turn One Steering has finished my 1989 NS rack and pinion. It is shipping back to me today! It cost me $550 + shipping. ($150 extra for expediting and $150 for an additional repair over the basic rebuild price.) I can live with that.
Went
Went
Last edited by Went; Apr 1, 2019 at 04:48 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,214
Likes: 1,671
From: Long Island
I used a local shop, Biltron Automotive , Ronkonkoma, NY. -631 928 7156, Family owned business for over 50 years.. the owner was really nice and is a car guy.
The price was less than Auto-zone... which quoted $300. He explained how the rack fails and what they do to fix it..
IT looks great , will know when it stops raining in a few days..
The price was less than Auto-zone... which quoted $300. He explained how the rack fails and what they do to fix it..
IT looks great , will know when it stops raining in a few days..
Last edited by BLUE1972; Apr 5, 2019 at 07:14 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,462
Likes: 3,288
From: Hartford WI
I used a local shop, Biltron Automotive , Ronkonkoma, NY. -631 928 7156, Family owned business for over 50 years.. the owner was really nice and is a car guy.
The price was less than Auto-zone... which quoted $300. He explained hoe the rack fails and what they do to fix it..
IT looks great , will know when it stops raining in a few days..
The price was less than Auto-zone... which quoted $300. He explained hoe the rack fails and what they do to fix it..
IT looks great , will know when it stops raining in a few days..
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,214
Likes: 1,671
From: Long Island
Yes they rebuild them right there. 90 days.
He explained why they fail and what they do to fix it. Including boring the sleeves and putting their sleeve.
It feels really tight and looks great. The threads were really clean and un-marked.
Will know in a few days when the rain stops...
He said I could rebuild mine or take the one on the shelf. Did not want to drive back - took the one he had..
I would call or go on the website for info..
He explained why they fail and what they do to fix it. Including boring the sleeves and putting their sleeve.
It feels really tight and looks great. The threads were really clean and un-marked.
Will know in a few days when the rain stops...
He said I could rebuild mine or take the one on the shelf. Did not want to drive back - took the one he had..
I would call or go on the website for info..
Last edited by BLUE1972; Apr 5, 2019 at 07:18 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,462
Likes: 3,288
From: Hartford WI
Yes they rebuild them right there. 90 days.
He explained why they fail and what they do to fix it. Including boring the sleeves and putting their sleeve.
It feels really tight and looks great. The threads were really clean and un-marked.
Will know in a few days when the rain stops...
He said I could rebuild mine or take the one on the shelf. Did not want to drive back - took the one he had..
I would call or go on the website for info..
He explained why they fail and what they do to fix it. Including boring the sleeves and putting their sleeve.
It feels really tight and looks great. The threads were really clean and un-marked.
Will know in a few days when the rain stops...
He said I could rebuild mine or take the one on the shelf. Did not want to drive back - took the one he had..
I would call or go on the website for info..
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 788
Likes: 160
From: Rio Rico, AZ
My rack and pinion is back from Turn One. The shop that is installing it says they measured the rod end positions(?) before they removed the rack. They will set the new one in the same position but suggested I have the alignment checked. Will the front alignment change much with R&R of the rack? If the rack is installed with measurements the same will a couple days driving be okay? This is probably a dumb question 
Thanks, Went
Thanks, Went
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,214
Likes: 1,671
From: Long Island
My rack and pinion is back from Turn One. The shop that is installing it says they measured the rod end positions(?) before they removed the rack. They will set the new one in the same position but suggested I have the alignment checked. Will the front alignment change much with R&R of the rack? If the rack is installed with measurements the same will a couple days driving be okay? This is probably a dumb question
Thanks, Went
Thanks, Went
The main problem may be even though the car is aligned ok, the steering wheel may be off.
As a kid I changed tie rod ends, measured to a mark from one front tire to another, did the work and re-set the front end. Drove until I had enough money for an alignment. No issues..