Topic: Power Steering fluid issue
in Forum: C3 Handling Components
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Lifetime MemberLemon Grove, CA - USA
Joined: 10/17/2007
Posts: 2041
Vette(s): 1982 C3 Collectors Edition 44000 miles, sat in the sun most of its life, My wife purchased it for me for Father's Day in 2007 from her girlfriend that had it for 19 years. It is on the road again. I'm retired but it is now my daily driver.
Need to know if I have an issue or just irritated.
Had a guy I use to do things on my car that I do not want to
do just because I'm and old man normally.
I just had him replace everything but the pump in the power steering
system. He put in transmission fluid
because he is used to GM using that. I
read that could be done but not recommended because of the higher heat
capabilities of power steering fluid. No
I'm not going to be racing or doing a lot of 10 hour days driving.
Question beside discussing my displeasure with him which I
already did. Is there a real issue I do
not know. Should I have him pull a line
and drain the system or is that even possible?
The car is still off the ground pump has run to fill the system but that
is it.
I guess the basic question is can I run transmission fluid
in the power steering system?
If I can what are the problems I may encounter?
If not what is the best way to remove it and flush the
system?
Second Issue the system seems to be balanced in that with the car running the wheels do not want to drift either way. Is that normal or did I luck out on this?
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In the old days at the gas station thats all we ever used. Somewhere along the way in the last 20 years power steering fluid is the first choice. I dont think that it will cause any issues and back when it was new it may have even had trans fluid from new. Not sure and will be interested to see what others say.
Rodney
Rodney
Lifetime MemberModerator
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
With the system we have on our Sharks, ATF will work just fine. On rack/pinions, PS fluid is a better choice, as in the Borgeson style gearboxes. ATF will function fine in your '82, imho. That's all I use in any of my vehicles, when I need to add, or fill one. 
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
My Link 
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Lifetime MemberEquinunk, PA - USA
Joined: 10/31/2007
Posts: 2470
Vette(s): 1972 conv, 4-speed, 350, 200hp, numbers match, rally wheels, war bonnett yellow w/white top. good condition, nice driver.
I've been using it for years also, tranny fluid that is.
Former Member
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Rochester, NY - USA
Joined: 6/12/2012
Posts: 95
Vette(s): 1980 L- 82 fully restored and upgraded.
Both are hydraulic fluid , Transmission fluid with out dye is clear so is most hydraulic fluid. The reddish pink color was added long ago to help identify leak sources, so your fine using it. I have used it in snow plows and steering systems for ever and can not think of any issue encountered by doing so.
1980 , ZZ430 , 3.92 rear , 700R4 2400 stall NEW EZ EFI
Lifetime MemberLemon Grove, CA - USA
Joined: 10/17/2007
Posts: 2041
Vette(s): 1982 C3 Collectors Edition 44000 miles, sat in the sun most of its life, My wife purchased it for me for Father's Day in 2007 from her girlfriend that had it for 19 years. It is on the road again. I'm retired but it is now my daily driver.
Thanks all of you for clearing it up. How about the question of the balance. Is it normal for the system to be that balance when replaced?
I'm of the opinion that if it does not pull to one side I should leave it alone and not ask for trouble.
Lifetime MemberEquinunk, PA - USA
Joined: 10/31/2007
Posts: 2470
Vette(s): 1972 conv, 4-speed, 350, 200hp, numbers match, rally wheels, war bonnett yellow w/white top. good condition, nice driver.
YEAH! Leave it alone. You did or someone else got the adjustment in the correct spot. How does it handle on the road? Should be real smooth, no jerks or shutters.
Now that Joel brought up "Borgeson" I have one being delivered Monday. Should I flush the old pump? If so with what/
ebo
Thanks Joel!
ebo 
ebo
Lifetime MemberModerator
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
Albo, unless your current system has a lot of funk in it, you should good to go on the pump. Once you pull the return line off of it, most of the fluid that is in it will drain out anyway.Your new gearbox will prolly come with specs for the recommended fluid type. but ATF should be fine in it, also.
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"
Lifetime MemberLemon Grove, CA - USA
Joined: 10/17/2007
Posts: 2041
Vette(s): 1982 C3 Collectors Edition 44000 miles, sat in the sun most of its life, My wife purchased it for me for Father's Day in 2007 from her girlfriend that had it for 19 years. It is on the road again. I'm retired but it is now my daily driver.
Someone else got it correct. It was working ok but leaking from lots of places. I have stopped all other leaks (I can hardly believe I do not have any oil pan or transmission leaks any more).
So anyway decided to replace the everything but the pump because everything but the pump had some type of leak.
All that is left is Air Conditioning, Window washer, Cruise control and then Painting. Of course there will always be something on a 25 plus year old car.
in Forum: C3 Handling Components
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