Home page
SPONSOR AD

Support our Vendors!  |  Advertise Here

Topic: 79 L82 Power Steering Issue

in Forum: C3 Handling Components


Already a Member?
Login
Not yet a Member?
Register for Free!

79 L82 Power Steering Issue (1/6)
 9/27/17 6:13pm
Shetz79Vette
Former Member

Send Private Message

Warrington, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1979 Corvette (L82)


Joined: 4/13/2016
Posts: 12

Power steering lines were beginning to leak, so I decided it was time to replace the lines, power steering valve, cylinder and power steering pump as well since it was an original.  I purchased a power steering renew kit and pump from Ecklers for this and my local mechanic performed the work.  Car ran great for about a week, then I lost power steering.  If I put the car in neutral and gave the car gas, the power steering would kick back in, but wouldn't work properly unless I was giving the car some gas.  My mechanic said he thought the exit valve inside of the new pump was bad, so I ordered a new pump from Ecklers and this fixed the issue.  Drove the car for about three months and then lost power steering again.  Same thing, if I gave the car gas in neutral, the power steering would work, no gas, no power steering.  I just recently ordered another power steering pump, but this time from another company.  Put that pump in and the power steering started to work great again.  Drove the car for four days and once again lost power steering in the car.  Any ideas, suggestions from anyone on our site would be welcomed and greatly appreciated.  
Our Sponsors help support C3VR
Re: 79 L82 Power Steering Issue (2/6)
 9/27/17 7:02pm
Pappy's Toy
Former Member

Send Private Message

WILLIAMSTOWN, KY - USA

Vette(s):
Silver Anniversary 1978, L82?, 4-speed


Joined: 12/5/2002
Posts: 131

I am not an expert; but I have had power steering issues with my 78. I have replaced the power steering pump, power steering control valve (twice) and all the lines and all is good for now. Is your car a stick or auto? Is the idle set ok? Have you checked to see if the power steering pump belt is tight enough and not slipping? Just a few thoughts to maybe help.

______________
Pappy's Toy
Re: 79 L82 Power Steering Issue (3/6)
 9/27/17 7:15pm
Shetz79Vette
Former Member

Send Private Message

Warrington, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1979 Corvette (L82)


Joined: 4/13/2016
Posts: 12

Pappy's Toy, thanks for sharing.  

Idle is good / no issues noted there.

I replaced all the belts, including the power steering belt six months ago and none of the belts are slipping.  

It's been extremely frustrating.  Definitely bummed I even touched the power steering pump or valve, since the original ones were working fine. (was more of a preventative maintenance move)
Re: 79 L82 Power Steering Issue (4/6)
 9/27/17 10:14pm
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
Lifetime Member
Moderator
Send Private Message

Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20126

My thought is that you have a hose that is shedding on the inside, and getting some doo-doo(technical term)into the pump that is sticking the control valve open. That many pumps failing with the exact same symptoms points to the issue NOT being a pump, but something causing the pumps to fail. It's possible that the steering ram had some doo-doo in it, also, that is sticking the relief valve open. In any case, I would suspect some sort of trash in the system causing these failures. Since you really replaced everything that has fluid running thru it, I would seriously be taking a look at the hoses first. New don't mean squat....
Has there been any noise associated with any of the pump failures?

______________

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    

My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)
             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Re: 79 L82 Power Steering Issue (5/6)
 9/28/17 11:53am
Shetz79Vette
Former Member

Send Private Message

Warrington, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1979 Corvette (L82)


Joined: 4/13/2016
Posts: 12

Adams Apple,

Thanks for your response and suggestions.  Sounds like I should begin swapping out items such as the lines and then perhaps PS valve if need be and see where that gets me.  

To answer your question about the noise, 2 of the 3 pumps that failed didn't make a noise after they had failed.  The middle pump that failed made a significant whining noise after that had failed.  
Re: 79 L82 Power Steering Issue (6/6)
 9/30/17 6:53am
TechdocwriterGold Member
Gold Member
Send Private Message

East Peoria, IL - USA

Vette(s):
1975 Bright Blue T-Top


Joined: 9/29/2005
Posts: 12

I would agree with Adams Apple. I replaced everything but my pump recently on my 75 Vette. However I decided to get a set of braided S/S P/S hose set from Corvette Central. They may cost more but well worth it. I guess I would be curious if the mechanic looked at the power steering fluid when he drained it in order to see if there was any visible debris in the oil.

|UPDATED|9/30/2017 3:53:47 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|


______________

 

 
Our Sponsors help support C3VR