Power steering maintanence?

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Apr 21, 2004 | 01:12 PM

Nathan Plemons

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Power steering maintanence?

Another thread about problems with power steering got me thinking about it. This is one of those systems that most everybody just tends to ignore. Is there some kind of routine maintanence I should do, like flushing the system? Or should I just pretty much say that since it's not broke I'm not gonna fix it?

How would you flush the system anyway? This is an LT1 so it has the power steering cooler if it makes a difference. :cheers:

Apr 21, 2004 | 01:15 PM

Topload

Racer

Joined: Feb 2002

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From: St. Louis MO

Re: Power steering maintanence? (Nathan Plemons)

Nathan - I just flushed and filled mine (after a break in the high pressure line) I disconnected the return line from the bottom of the resivoir and placed it in a gallon jug.......I did not start the engine but simply let gravity do it's thing. Left it to drain overnight and re-assembled & filled the next day. Seems like I replaced just about the same amount that was in the jug.......but.....can't imagine having to do this as routine maint.

:seeya

Apr 21, 2004 | 01:53 PM

JayH

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From: Maple Valley WA

Re: Power steering maintanence? (Topload)

I just replaced the steering rack last week and flushed the system by removing the rack-to-cooler hose at the cooler, filling the reservoir and cycling the pump by hand until fresh fluid came out. That flushes everything in the line from reservoir to pump, in the pump, the line from pump to rack and the rack itself. Then plug that hose and let gravity flush the reservoir, the line from cooler to reservoir, and cooler.

Jay

Apr 21, 2004 | 01:55 PM

scorp508

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From: Boston, MA

Re: Power steering maintanence? (JayH)

I sucked the bottle dry, filled it, did some figure-8s and repeated about 4-5 times. The steering got MUCH smoother after sucking all that sludge out and replacing it with nice new synth valvoline.

Apr 21, 2004 | 02:07 PM

VR'92

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From: I'm the walkin dude I can see all of the world...

St. Jude Donor '03

Re: Power steering maintanence? (scorp508)

Now you got me worrying about it Nathan! :cuss

I'm sure mine is full of sludge too! :yesnod:

Apr 21, 2004 | 07:14 PM

HiRiser

Burning Brakes

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From: traveling nowhere fast, FL

Re: Power steering maintanence? (VictorRussell'92)

I just maintained mine by replacing the rack, rod-ends and pump! Nice and quiet now with all the nervous handling tendencies gone to boot. :D

Apr 21, 2004 | 09:43 PM

ABNVET.I

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From: Henryville IN

Re: Power steering maintanence? (HiRiser)

The Vette shop I go to in St Louis recommends you flush and replace the fluid every 3yrs. I had never heard of this but I was having some problems with my steering wheel jerking. After it had been flushed and new fluid put in no more problems and its a lot tighter. Cheaper then buying a new rack which I did on my 84 before I knew of this.

:seeya

Apr 21, 2004 | 09:53 PM

corvetteronw

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From: Kingman AZ

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Re: Power steering maintanence? (Nathan Plemons)

Our man, Gordon Killebrew, recommends flushing and refilling with synthetic along with some name brand sealer. Not that I am a fanatic or anything :D but I also replaced all the hoses when I did this last week. We ARE certifiable! :rolleyes: