That ain't right... (P/S Valve)
04-05-2004, 09:59 PM
#1
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
That ain't right... (P/S Valve)
I made use of the grease zerk on the power steering valve (from my handy location in the lower level of the Rapid Lube) Steering fluid poured out, followed by 'watery' grease. Now, this is about a year old, and already leaking, does this mean it's leaking internally too? Other than consuming fluid and discoloring parking spots, I have had no trouble.
-Chris
-Chris
04-06-2004, 12:00 AM
#3
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Aug 2000
Location: Semper ubi, sub ubi
Posts: 9,662
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
6 Posts
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Re: That ain't right... (LiveandLetDrive)
I'm afraid it's gone, it can probably be rebuilt, but I'd replace it with a new one or go with Steeroids or the Corvette Steering replacement.
I've had my car 4 years and put less than 10K on it, I've replaced the ps valve 2 times and it's leaking again!
:mad
I've had my car 4 years and put less than 10K on it, I've replaced the ps valve 2 times and it's leaking again!
:mad
04-06-2004, 01:30 AM
#4
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Re: That ain't right... (Smokehouse69)
Jeez, what's the deal with that? I guess I will ride it out until it dies, it really isn't turning badly, or acting funny at all.
Gotta look into Steeroids :rolleyes:
"Corvette Steering replacement"???
[Modified by LiveandLetDrive, 12:31 AM 4/6/2004]
Gotta look into Steeroids :rolleyes:
"Corvette Steering replacement"???
[Modified by LiveandLetDrive, 12:31 AM 4/6/2004]
04-06-2004, 03:00 AM
#5
Safety Car
Re: That ain't right... (LiveandLetDrive)
I could be totally wrong, and I hope Jim Shea sees this, but I think your are only supposed to put grease into the control vavle during initial assembly. after this the power steering fluid will provide lubrication.
04-06-2004, 08:27 AM
#6
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Jul 2000
Location: Saginaw Michigan
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 0
Received 98 Likes
on
81 Posts
Re: That ain't right... (LiveandLetDrive)
The original control valves were manufactured by Saginaw Steering Gear Division, GMC. The boot on the mounting stud had a small slit that allowed old grease to purge out of the boot as new grease was added through the zerk fitting. With the advent of better greases and more durable boot seals, the zerk fitting was eliminated and the valve was considered "greased for life." The small slit in the boot was eliminated as well.
So if you try to add grease to a valve that has a boot without a purge slit, you run the risk of bursting the boot seal from internal pressure.
I have never been able to figure out any relationship between adding grease to the stud area and causing a power steering fluid leak. It is possible that if the internal lip seal begins to seep power steering fluid, the fluid could collect in the stud cavity. Now when you try and add grease, the power steering fluid is expelled as well.
So if you try to add grease to a valve that has a boot without a purge slit, you run the risk of bursting the boot seal from internal pressure.
I have never been able to figure out any relationship between adding grease to the stud area and causing a power steering fluid leak. It is possible that if the internal lip seal begins to seep power steering fluid, the fluid could collect in the stud cavity. Now when you try and add grease, the power steering fluid is expelled as well.
04-06-2004, 01:09 PM
#7
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Re: That ain't right... (Jim Shea)
I don't think I burst the seal. Mine has a zerk, so I think it also has that slit. I think the lip seal is leaking as you described and fluid is collecting in that cavity. This is a daily driver (and driven hard) but I'm still suprised at the lack of quality.
-Chris
-Chris