how safe to drive with a leaking steering rack? I noticed after the last drive a smallish puddle under the front - after feeling around it appeared to be the rack - since then i turkey baster-ed fluid out and added some stop leak - I want to drive it more to see if it continues - but is there a safety concern?

thanks

Sean

 

My rack has been leaking for a decade after I replaced the pressure line and the crow foot went into the boot when I tightened the pressure line down. I've been using stop leak power steering fluid and the rack would be coated in grime and the fluid would run to the passenger wheel. Though I didn't have to add much fluid as time went on due to the leaking, though I'd get a puddle if I just ran regular power steering fluid. A year ago I decided to try running 100% Lucas stop leak additive. The red thick stuff. I also pressure washed the power steering rack to clean off all the crud accumulation. And running 100% Lucas stop leak additive reduced the leak to where my steering rack a year later isn't coated in crud. So I'd recommend running 100% Lucas stop leak additive. Just fill up the reservoir with it, run it a while, then suck out the reservoir and fill it again, etc. to get it to 100%.

 

ok we'll give it a go - anything I should be watching for as far as failing rack? haven't noticed anything besides maybe a little loose - but not real loose

 

Not really sure about that. The only steering problem I've noticed is it groans sometimes for a mile or two when it's really cold during the winter. One thing about running the 100% Lucas stop leak was last winter. When it was really really cold out, I'd get some groaning for like a mile or two. So if you get that, then maybe suck out the reservoir and add regular power steering fluid to thin the fluid out some, then go back to 100% during the summer.

 

If you decide to replace it. DO NOT deal with Detroit Axle. They are thieves.

 

I remember there was one of those Corvette magazines had an article on the C4 steering rack how the racks are technically different between different years, but most aftermarket rebuilt units usually just rebuild them all the same. And that there was a company that is high quality that you can send your rack to and they'll rebuild it to your specific rack specifications. Though I don't remember the companies name but I bet that article is somewhere on the internet.

I remember seeing some pics of someone with a long board of wood where they put their rack on top and drilled holes where the tie rods were at. And the reason is so he could put the tie rods back to the same spot on the new rack as I believe you have to get an alignment or something when you put new front tie rods on.

 

thanks - if i replace it I will talk to a local shop first to see then weigh my options - Turn One -i believe-is the shop you are referencing - they will sleeve the unit to avoid the wear spots from one of the seals(can't remember the specifics now - ). i believe they. are about 5-550 for the rack itself - i do not know if it is required to put new ends on - but I feel like that was the recommendation i read. along with pump and hoses alignment, etc...... I will try the stop leak now and see if i can get through the summer - maybe replace it before next spring -

I just want to be sure about the safe aspect -

thanks!

 

thanks for the heads up - i did see them several places on the innerweb

 

TURN ONE is the only way to go!

Once you rebuild the rack you might consider installing a power steering fluid cooler in your lines, maybe even a P/S in-line filter as well. The guys at Turn One told me that HEAT is the killer of our racks as it destroys the seals and makes it leak. After getting the rack back I have a cooler on the system to protect my rack from the heat.

 

sounds like a plan - anything to help it last - i would only want to go through this once - if possible

 

just curious - did your do your own install with the rack -?

 

I thought I had a leak in the rack and got under and found an almost hidden hose clamp that had loosened over the last quarter century. Dan 96 coupe

 

Hello sb66,

No, unfortunately I can't put Rack and Pinions in any more. I have 5 crushed discs in my lower back. I have to take Morphine every day just to be able to walk normally. I have a good friend who owns a Service Station and did it for me with my help of course.

I have installed an aftermarket Rack and Pinion system on my C3 to get rid of the old GM style Power steering. I have also helped remove and replace a rack on a C4 on a lift at my buddies station.

I have been looking at electric power Steering as the next thing for my C3, that might be fun to have and get rid of the fluid and hydraulics. My C4's power steering rack was rebuilt by Turn One and installed at my buddies shop. The C3 I did on my driveway.

Between getting old and having a bad back I am getting more limited every year it seems!

 

I know what you mean. I have a fractured upper thoracic vertebrae and a few discs bulged into my spinal cord. Many years ago I went mostly paralyzed, barely could walk, for a while when one of my discs started spraying fluid onto my spinal cord (I could hear it) and I almost starved to death as for whatever reason I wasn't able to chew and swallow food anymore either and had no hunger pains. And all the hospitals and doctors I saw refused to do anything or acted like it was a joke. It felt like I had a knife in my back.

After more than a week, I didn't have the strength or energy to go try a 5th out of town hospital/doctor, and so planned to starve to death. Luckily the disc eventually stopped spraying fluid and my ability to eat slowly came back and my strength slowly came back and so I didn't starve to death only because the disc in my back stopped spraying fluid on my spinal cord. Though I picked up something a while back and started going paralyzed again which then got worse every time I was bent over for a period of time. I was able to reverse some of the numbness and weakness by doing a lot of back stretches. i.e. hanging on rafters in the garage and letting my body drop hard. The pain is pretty horrible at times, but you just have to keep going like being forced to roll around on shards of glass all day while the doctors still refuse to even give you a back brace after all these years.

 

jeez guys - sorry to hear that for you both - i have a few discs in the low back and neck that get a little sideways from time to time - takes a couple weeks to work them out -painful- but nothing like that - hopefully you can find some comfort at some point - whatever it takes -


electric power steering - sounds interesting - what year c3?

 

We have a 1968 C3 Convertible made in early October of 1967. Originally a 427 Corvette with tri-power but currently just another L88 look-a-like as it is right now. It was video taped at Corvettes @Carlisle years ago as the guys were convinced it was a real L88. It is Bright Yellow (Daytona Yellow, a '69 color) and has a functional 1968 L88 Hood on it along with the wedding cake assembly. The Engine compartment looks nice and looks similar to some L88's I have seen but the cylinder heads are not aluminum and are missing the little Snowflake Emblems.

When I rebuilt the 427 I went a bit overboard and built it with 12.25-1 compression ratio using L88 Pistons and heads that were designed for those piston but made in Cast iron. I replaced the crank as it had tiny cracks in it when magnafluxed. I used the Four Bolt "JE" Block with forged crankshaft and built it into a high compression beast. I spent a lot of money having the heads cleaned up before rebuilding them with all new parts. Comp Cams told me that I had to go to a higher numerically rear end as I have a 3.36 in the C3.

Recently I have been switching it over to a Holley Stealth Sniper Fuel Injection system. I still have to finish the changes to my distributor to make it work. My C3 uses a mechanical tachometer and so does my MSD Billet Pro Distributor. They want me to switch to their Holley Distributor but I loose the tach drive. I could switch over to an electric tachometer I suppose.

When I switched things around I installed a March Performance Serpentine kit. They required that I went to a remote reservoir power steering pump. One thing after another I would love to get rid of the Hydraulic steering system. The newer Cars have electric Power Steering and there are several articles regarding the swaps that have been done so far. The components are small and it uses electricity when you turn. I am all for the idea and the C3 even with a 427 has tons of room to play. I also have a 120 amp alternator and a big battery.

I made the switch from the recirculating ball type power steering to a Power Steering Rack and Pinion. The Car still does not turn in any tight circles but it feels "connected" to the road better.

Any time you have a major injury to your spine the pain can be totally debilitating. I was taking 300 mg of Morphine a day after I had three surgeries. I went to Johns Hopkins and they said there is nothing they can do for me. If I get rid of the pain I end up in a wheelchair. I always worry about getting hit in the rear as that would also put me into a wheel chair. I am now down to 60 mg of Long term Morphine a day. My injury was bad enough that I was forced to retire early so I stayed home and raised the kids. I play with my Corvettes when my back allows me to. Helping others is something that I can do when I am siting down but that is only good for 30-45 minutes before I need to move.

The "Worst" thing about a bad back injury is people can't see it or quantify it. Very few people are used to living in constant pain, it is like having a five year old tugging at your shirt every 2 minutes.

 

your c3 sounds amazing - ! when I was little I had a cousin who picked me up in her boyfriends (would become husband) i want to say 70 or 71. -medium blue, side-pipes - left a lasting impression

I wondered about the holly sniper injection - seemed like a viable option to keep a semi authentic look with the tech of injection - from what i have read

i am glad to hear the morphine dose is at least down from what it was - back injuries - a debilitating SOB if there ever was one

i know your expertise and help that you give is truly appreciated and so valuable to all -

 

My '89 Z51 (that I've just finished refreshing and resealing everything) found out that I was reading your steering rack leak post, and decided that it was time for it to start leaking also. I haven't investigated it yet as I just found out, but I'll take a look and hope it's something simple like a hose clamp or hose. If not, Turn One here I come....

It's literally the one system in the engine bay I haven't messed with this past year. So it was time as it's all original. Such is life!

 

never fails . . . . hopefully something small