drspencer

'71 350/270 has a chronic power steering fluid leak. It's probably leaking in more than one location, but I'm going to start with a new pump & hoses.

It's my understanding that the hose vary widely in quality, and new ones can still leak right out of the box.

Could someone please recommend where to buy the 'good' ones?

Thanks

MMK

Not sure about the differences between your '71 and my '80, but I bought Gates hoses through RockAuto. They have only been on for a year (about 2500 miles), but they have been leak free so far.

drspencer

Thinking about getting rebuild kits for the power steering pump, control valve, and cylinder (as well as all four hoses) from Corvette Central.

Can anyone comment on the quality of their parts?

More importantly, what are my chances of rebuilding all the above components and having a leak-free system?

Thanks

Bikespace

Probably better than buying the rebuilt items.

I ditched the stock power steering system in both of my C3s, though, as I didn't want to deal with the leaks. The RockAuto sourced rebuilt power steering pump has done fine with the Borgeson steering box so far.

boat196

I like Corvette Brakes

Sigforty

Gates from Rockauto is all I use.

augiedoggy

I bought the inexpensive rebuild kit, along with a chrome case and pulley and rebuilt my stock pump in 2012... I did have some issues getting the pump to fit in the cheap chrome housing but since then Ive had no issues so far and it was easy to do. I also had good luck rebuilding my steering cylinder and the alternator. I have a borgeson kit to install, not for leaks but rather for the modern variable assist steering feel.

drspencer

Regrettably, Rockauto presently has no Gates power steering pressure hoses for my application in stock.

71 Vert LS1

Unless you have to have stock looking how about -6 SS and build your own?

drspencer

I'm sure SS is more durable, but it sounds expensive, and time consuming.

For my application, stock should suffice.

Thanks

n2h2o2

Just bought a new system from Top Flight...
"1963-1979 CHEVROLET CORVETTE POWER STEERING REBUILD KIT WITH NEW CONTROL VALVE & CYLINDER - SMALL BLOCK - CA"
Comes with new valve, cylinder and hoses...
At under $300 and a 1 year warranty, it just isn't worth my time to rebuild...

4-vettes

Pump, Tuff Stuff pump. American made. Top shelf. That's what's on my car. Hoses. Look for American made. Summit sells some nice ones.
(as well as the Tuff Stuff pump).

Crimson Thunder

Throw the factory junk in the trash and buy a Borgeson box. You can thank me later.

drspencer

That's my end game. But for now, I just need to stop the leak.

Thanks

pgtr

If the cylinder shaft has a worn area at it's center (where it typically is positioned when driving straight) I'm not sure a rebuild will fix it. I tried that once on a cylinder that I thought had a minor bit of wear showing in the middle of it's shaft where it rides against the seal... I even tried polishing that minor wear spot a bit but in the end it still had a small drip w/ the new shaft seals.

I'd be curious to know if your shaft cylinder shaft shows a wear spot in the middle and if you had any luck sealing the shaft...

81c3

I have AutoZone hoses, all 4 and a NAPA control valve. No leaks so far....

drspencer

Me, too. With the front wheels centered, I can't really see the middle of the cylinder shaft. However, I can see some minor rust/pitting on the far left/drivers side, where the shaft bolts up to the bracket hanging off the frame. Hopefully the center looks decent. What happens when I get the cylinder disassembled and the center of the shaft is worn? Through it out and buy new? At this point, I would be ecstatic with just a drip, like you described having after your cylinder rebuild.

There is so much power steering fluid sprayed everywhere that I cannot diagnose the source of the leak with any accuracy. Every component (bottom of pump reservoir, control valve, and cylinder) is just bathed in fluid. I cleaned everything up, but it immediately gets saturated by the end of an afternoon drive. I did see an obvious 1/2" split in the top of the pressure hose, though. Hopefully that's the source of the geyser.

Regardless, I just ordered rebuild kits for the pump, control valve, and cylinder. Bought all the parts from Corvette Brakes.

Any tips/tricks for this job would be appreciated.

Thanks

wwiiavfan

Go for it on rebuilding the cylinder. I did, and at the risk of jinxing myself, I screwed it up a little but it worked and doesn’t leak (yet).
The lip seal has to be pressed down into a recess, and when I did, the sharp edge of the recess caught the edge of the seal and shaved/rolled up about 1/8” of the seal OD. I was pissed at that point and literally threw it back together, expecting the worst, but it’s been holding for a while now. Sometimes even a blind squirrel finds a nut.