My question is hopefully a bit premature, but I think I have a rack and pinion leaking really badly. After a trip of about 700 miles last week I put my '89 away on the floor level under my car lift. A couple days after returning I had a big puddle of what seems to be PS fluid coming from under the car. I have had an intermittent leak from the steering rack which seemed to be coming from the steering input shaft area, but it has been so slight I have only had to add fluid about 4 times in ~20K miles over 3 years. My lift doesn't go high enough to even open the hood on the "Vette and I haven't had time to back the car out and get it up on a jack to evaluate my problem, but I'm fearing the rack and pinion might be the culprit. I've heard it is quite a job to replace and have done searches to find a "how-to", but haven't found anything very informative. If there's a tutorial out there, please point me in the right direction.

I've got my fingers crossed that it's only a PS line with a bad leak, but I'd rather be prepared for a more major problem and then be relieved if it's not. Unfortunately if the rack does need to be replaced it might be a while since the "working side" of my shop is occupied with a relatively long-term project that can't be moved again until it's at least a roller.

Thanks, in advance, for any input or experience with C4 rack and pinion replacement.

Lynn

 

Lake Harley,

I understand re the Rack rebuilt, that's costly. Might be your PS pump,, hopefully !

You might power wash or clean the area under the radiator and PS Pump and where ever else you can get at... Then park the car with a clean drip pan under when the fluid is leaking onto your garage floor.

What you need to know is where the fluid is leaking from, and check the color. As the Transmission fluid line could have a leak or where it's attached to the radiator. Which Leaks,,,, PS Pump, Trans, or a little of Both ??

If your Rack is leaking, the only qualified re-builder I know is Turn One

good luck,

Michael
.

 

Thanks, Capt Mike. I've bought from Zip Corvette in the past and they have a reman rack for $230 which isn't too bad, but I'd have to return my core since they charge a $350 core charge. It seems the fluid is more or less clear, so that would rule out trans fluid, and just wiping a bit up with my finger it didn't seem to have enough color to be engine oil either. Since I've had to add PS fluid a few times it seems to be logical that it's the steering, and likely the rack since the input shaft area has been wet before. Sorry to be so vague, but I just haven't had an opportunity to look into the actual problem.

My big question is, if it's the rack and pinion that needs to be replaced, how much of a hassle is the replacement process? One Chevy dealership mechanic I talked with talked like it's an all day job, so if he's saying that I fear it would take me a couple days since it's my first time doing it. Not an appealing thought.

But you're exactly right, I first need to clean everything up to determine the leak's source. Just a quick check of the PS fluid level might give a quick answer, but I can't open the hood with the car under my lift. Guess I'll just have to make time to look into it.

Thanks

Lynn

 

I have a 2 turn rack in my 89. It was near to impossible to find a rebuilt one. I sent my rack to Turn One and have been very satisfied with the results.

Went

 

Thanks, Went. How involved/difficult was the rack&pinion removal and replacement? A few hours....days ??

With two mentions and satisfied users of Turn One, I'll check them out.

Lynn

 

Lynn,

An experience mech can change to R&P fairly quickly,,, esp on a Rack. They tend to exaggerate considerably

The key is to get everything CLEAN..

Block your wheels with a 2x6 or larger with a tapered edge towards the Tire. This will help to keep the Toe In close to where it is now. You should get an alignment when this Job is finished.

You'll need a good pair of Vice Gripe to Turn the Outer Steering Rod on the Rack, loosen the Jam Nut First. I usually get all the nuts and bolts loose prior to removing anything, esp on a Rack replacement. The Bolt of the Rack that secures the steering shaft can be a |PITA

Be sure to Center the rack to Straight ahead prior to blocking the wheels.

Since your replacing the Rack get a new PS Pump too, and flush & check the hydraulic lines with PS fluids, lots and lots.

You should get a set of Metric Line Wrenches for the Hydraulic lines, last thing you want to do is damage one of the hydraulic lines. Sometimes a hydraulic line fitting will be very tight. If so, try Tapping the Wrench Plastic Hammer.

If your R&P doesn't come with new mounting bushings, get them , their inexpensive.

You might be able to find a step by step post, try a Google search..

Good Luck...
Michael.

 

Capt Mike. Thank you! Great info ..... just what I had searched for and wondered before I posted here but didn't find. Thanks for the tips. I have the tools covered just fine. I still have to make the car (a '33 ******) in my shop's "working side" a basic roller before I'll have room to work on the Vette, but I might get that accomplished next week. I don't know how I can be so busy......I'm retired. I can't imagine having time to work anymore.

Thanks again.

Lynn

 

I had a shop replace it for me. Turn One rebuilt the rack, a local shop R&R'd for me. Arthritic wrists don't allow much wrenching now days. Turn One did a nice rebuild job though. Very pleased.

Went

 

Save your old PS pump.

the springs inside for pressure are c4 specific but the pump itself is very common on GMs.

I replaced my 25 year old PS pump and first one was junk, second one has low assist at idle.

turned my old one in as a core .... at least keep yours and swap springs if needed.

 

Check out thoroughly. Just had leak and was high pressure line. I 2nd clean area and try to find where leak is.

 

https://search.yahoo.com/yhs/search;...%3D%3D&iscqry=

 

has info your looking for, best if luck,

 

I had my rack rebuilt and the power steering pump and hoses replaced at the same time about a month ago. Or something like that. Maybe it was a couple of months ago. I think I paid around $1200. It took around a week for the mechanic to remove it, ship it out, have it rebuilt, then shipped back and reinstalled. No more power steering fluid leaks.

 

Natty C....thanks for sharing your experience with R&P replacement. Not knowing the shop's labor rate that you used, but guessing the cost of parts, rebuild and shipping, I'd just venture a guess that the labor time might have been 6-10 hours. Quite a range, but within about what I expected.

Unfortunately, I still have my "working" shop tied up. Maybe when the 'Vette's turn comes around I'll find it's just a leaking line. (Fingers crossed!)

Thanks.

Lynn

 

Good guess. My receipt says 7.74 hours total labor time. That's counting labor time for removal/replacement of the power steering pump and hoses. They didn't charge me the standard $100 an hour for labor, they always work on the car anyway. Parts were $714.

Rebuilt rack/ $378 and some change.
Power steering pressure hose/ $31 and some change.
Power steerig return hose/ $24 and some change.
Power steering pump/ $136 and some change.
Tie rod ends/ $60 and some change each/ X2 @ $121 and some change total.
Fluid/ $11 and some change for 2 pints.

The rest was labor.

Remove and replace rack assy /road test - 3hrs
Remove and replace power steering pump assy/ Remove and replace return and pressure hoses - 2hrs
Remove and replace tie rod ends - 1.62 hrs
Complete 4 wheel alignment - 1.12 hrs.

Looks like I only paid around $500 in labor.

 

I replaced mine in a few hours. You need to get some room to work. I used floor jack and stands. I can't remember it being very difficult.

 

Capt. Mike's advice about Turn One is the best you will get! They can rebuild YOUR original parts and they do excellent work. If you send them both your pump and the rack you will be set for life with your Corvette.... Turn One is located in Saginaw, Michigan and is convenient to most of the United States.

Heat is the killer for the power steering systems, if you could cool the fluid with an additional cooler the whole system would last much longer. I have a larger than stock P/S reservoir and that alone adds 16 ounces or more fluid into the system with a aluminum container to help dump the heat. A simple fluid cooler would be more than enough if located on the return line and has good airflow. The cooler the better, PS get a lot of abuse.

Power steering inline filters are a good thing to add as well, they protect the whole system from a errant sliver of metal or anything that does not belong inside the PS system.

Good Luck on whichever direction you decide to go! Lucas makes a great leak sealing power steering fluid if it is a small leak!

Best regards,
Chris

 

I had my 85 rack rebuilt from a local rebuilder. Not hard to get out but I cut the hoses and just replaced with new. I pulled it out from drivers side so leave room on that side to get it out. I had the worst problem with cleaning the gunk. Search your area for the rebuild shops that supply the chains.
I paid 140(needed a sleeve). Then of course a new pump and new hoses. Worth a try.
Good Luck