Hey everyone,

I realize this has been discussed to death, but I'm having some trouble and hoping someone can give me a tip that I've either missed or something.

I have a '97 that had the original pump in it (with the plastic pulley). Had groan and noticed there was a slow leak. Looking around with a scope, it appeared to be coming from the pump, potentially from the pressure line from the pump to the rack.

Replaced the pump and inspected the hose. Hose looked fine and still felt supple, despite being 20 years old. Since I couldn't find a new pressure line and my car's a daily driver, decided to just replace the o-rings (the Chevy dealer near my house had the actual GM part # rings, so I know they're the right size). Filled the system, no obvious leaks. Start the wheel side to side before moving to lock-to-lock method to get air out. Well, the air never stops coming. 50 turns and CONSISTENTLY near the left stop I get an air bubble. Checked all my fittings, and they all feel tight. Since I was giving up for the night anyway, I decided to start it. One turn lock-to-lock and the fluid's frothy in the reservoir. I don't see a leak, but I would doubt that I'm getting air every turn just because I didn't vacuum it out. With the car on, I have the groan of what sounds like air to me in the pump, and in the middle (wheels straight), there's a noticeable grind.

How do I find this thing?

Thanks for any ideas,
-Kyle

 

I had a noisy power steering pump and frothy, Paul at Corvettes at Carlisle recommended AC Delco cold climate power steering fluid. Changed the fluid and no more noise.

 

When I changed out my PS fluid after reinstalling my rack, I bled the system by removing the low-pressure line, its in front and easy to get to, I bought some redline fluid and bled the system well with good results.

 

That's the procedure I used for a flush, before following the wheel back-and-forth instructions.

Maybe my problem is the cheaper power steering fluid. You've suggested Redline and the other suggestion was for the actual AC Delco. I went with Prestone. I guess I'll give 'er a go for New Year's :P

 

I just did this, and same thing. I turned my wheel for an hour with the car running and not running and it never got better. UNTIL I took it for a ride, and the power steering came back right away. Just try driving it

 

Took her out for half an hour and let her sit afterward. The power steering feels great! No groan!

...but there's a leak. There's a small puddle under the car. Hoped when I parked it for work yesterday that meant there was just drip from spilling but came out after work and she was a little low. Filled her to the cold line, drove her home and... she's low again today, with another small puddle under her.

This is a frustrating one.

 

So, I hadn't replaced the high-pressure line, which numerous posts suggest. I had only replaced the seals. Replaced the line. Still have a leak.

I noticed that the clamps holding the pump inlet line to the reservoir were loose. Replaced the line. Still have a leak.

It's clearly leaking from ABOVE the rack itself, because the fluid is higher than it would BE otherwise.

At this point, the only rubber that's OEM there is the cooler line. I can replace that, too, but I don't have much guarantee that it'll solve the problem here. Under the shroud on that line is SOAKED, however. I'm wondering if's diffusing through the rubber, but that seems unlikely on the return line.

The leak only seems to happen after the car's been actually driven. Sitting still, even idling and moving the wheels, I don't seem to get a leak. Had the car up, bled it until there were no air bubbles. Felt great in the air. Turned back and forth probably 50 times AFTER the bleed. No leak.

Dropped the car back down, drove to work, felt great. On the way home, felt like I was low on PS fluid. Get home and... I'm low. There wasn't a puddle at work. Obviously I'm leaking. It doesn't LOOK like it's coming from the knuckle seal since it's mostly on the front of the rack. I guess I'll replace the cooler. I hate just throwing parts at it, but I'm not sure what else to do here. After driving it, fluid gets kind of everywhere and I can't tell where it's originating.

 

I just had to replace the two rubber sections on the cooler line return. The small three inch section and the longer 12-14 inch section from cooler to reservoir. Mine was leaking around the clamps, the rubber was pretty stiff. You can find my write up within the past few days in this forum section.