Power Steering Issue
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,211
Likes: 694
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
Power Steering Issue
My 85 with 110K has a funny feeling in the power steering. When you turn 1 way or the other, sometimes there is a slight resistance going back to center
Ideas?
Ideas?
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 183
Likes: 41
From: N.E. Ohio
I just came across something that may greatly interest you . I discovered a TSB # 90-376-3B that details a power steering issue in 1988-90 cars such as you describe .This discovery is too late to help me as the needed parts to fix are long discontinued . But I suggest you do a TSB and recall search just incase your 85 had any similar issues that were never taken care of . If there are I'm sure no dealer will help you but you can get repair information from the TSB . What sucks for me is the previous owner serviced the car at a local garage and not a dealership where they should have caught my issue long ago . I'm sure may owners replaced power steering pumps and steering racks needlessly because they never heard of TSB #90-376-3B .
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,331
Likes: 2,722
I doubt that TSB should be of any interest to the OP BUT -- OP I'd expect on an early car with the Intermediate Shaft wear/deterioration expected at usually less miles than yours IF yours hasn't been modified/replaced then that's where I'd go 1st. I doubt a PS issue but of course anything is possible. Intermediate shaft 1st. An issue is generally a very straight forward visual check. I believe @Hot Rod Roy has posted images several times for the '84 & '85 intermediate failures.
Speaking of @Hot Rod Roy I don't believe I've seen him around recently.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1596303787
Speaking of @Hot Rod Roy I don't believe I've seen him around recently.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1596303787
Last edited by WVZR-1; Jul 17, 2021 at 10:27 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,192
Likes: 750
From: near the thumb in the mitten
You could run vin on a variety of sites for recalls. If by chance there is an open recall it's not supported now. Most likely spool valve seals are leaking and rack needs rebuilt. Housing may be pitted and needed sleeved.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,720
Likes: 1,625
From: Fairfax Virginia
The best thing you can do for your steering system is to keep the Power Steering Fluid cool and clean. This is what the guy at Turn One suggested as a way to get more "life" out of our Power steering Racks. He suggested that the seals used in the rack and pinion would all last longer if not exposed to such heat.
I added a new reservoir to my C3 to give it over a quart of fluid in the reservoir and it is in the path of cooling air. I also added a Power steering in-line filter to keep the gunk out.
I added a new reservoir to my C3 to give it over a quart of fluid in the reservoir and it is in the path of cooling air. I also added a Power steering in-line filter to keep the gunk out.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,211
Likes: 694
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
Some more driving the last few days in the city.
What happens is when there is a left turn the steering wheel turns some and then some extra resistance and then will turn the rest of the way with normal resistance
It doesn't happen turning right
I would assume this is probably because of a bad rack?
What happens is when there is a left turn the steering wheel turns some and then some extra resistance and then will turn the rest of the way with normal resistance
It doesn't happen turning right
I would assume this is probably because of a bad rack?
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,952
Likes: 239
From: Venice Cali.
It is time to sleeve the rack soon. Mine was bad enough to stop it from turning almost. They will put a steel sleeve in and it will work again. Now you may get a pretty good fix for now by putting Lucas Oil power steering conditioner.
It is worth a try. The oil is crossing passages and pushing against itself a little now. I found a local parts rebiulder to do mine. Good Luck
It is worth a try. The oil is crossing passages and pushing against itself a little now. I found a local parts rebiulder to do mine. Good Luck
