Topic: Minor crisis - need to limp it home from work
in Forum: C3 Handling Components
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Guys, as I was pulling into the parking lot today it looks like a power steering hose let go. I'm thinking it's the high pressure one coming off the pump. Judging from the size of the puddle, I'd say I've lost the majority of the fluid. My first question concerns getting home: can I pull the belt off and drive home on manual steering? Will that cause any damage to the cylinder (new) or control valve (original, but recently rebuilt)? I have about 6 miles to go.
Second question: any thoughts about what I did wrong? That hose is brand new, I replaced it because the one before it was leaking, too. Maybe I'm routing them incorrectly? In owning this car for 11 years I'd say I've had the most systemic problems from the P/S system. Those hoses just have to flex so much. I'd sure like to go to the Borgeson or Steeroids - guess I'll start saving my pennies.
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20218
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
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#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas

That sux! If you only have about 6 miles, you can drive it with no power steering, if your arms are up for it. Just go slower than usual, and try to not turn the wheel unless the car is in motion.
Need to determine which hose let loose first. Could simply be the return line, and if just popped off. The hoses on the bottom, where they go into the control valve are pretty tricky to get right, and make sure they will not rub/hit on anything when turning lock-to-lock. Hopefully it will just be the return line loose, and not the high pressure hose...
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Thanks, Joel. Got it home OK and, you were right (as usual) - it WAS the return line. It was coming out of there at the connection to the pump and running down the high pressure line so it looked like that was the culprit. That low pressure hose was just a little too short - at full right lock it was stretched tight and I think the pump nipple ate it's way through. Got it replaced with a longer hose tonight and back to being leak free (at least for awhile).
The drive home with no P/S was pretty interesting. Went OK, but you're right - good arm workout! Did the non P/S cars have a different ratio?

Moderator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20218
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
Glad it was a semi simple fix, Dave! The non-power steering cars had kinda a different ratio. If you look at the spindles, where the steering outer tie-rod ends go, you'll notice two holes for the tie rods to go into. The non-ps cars used the inner hole, and the ps cars use the outer hole. That effectively changes the steering ratio. The hole that is not used usually has an aluminuminum plug in it.

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"
in Forum: C3 Handling Components
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