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Power Steering puimp squeal (1/12)
5/30/11 3:39am

Crimson Ghost
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Vette(s):
1968 convertible

Joined: 3/3/2010
Posts: 94

Hello Friends.

As you know I installed a March Performance Serpentine, replaced water pump andPOwer steering pump.

When I did the power steering pump I lowered the hoses and turned the steering wheel stop to stop several times in an attempt to drain as much fluid as I could. The fluid was just nast brown mess.

First few times running the car it all seemed good, but then the squeal which stopped when I turned the wheel all the way to either side. I am wondering if I didn't get it all out and the old system had tranny fluid in it and I used PS fluid. That or a crap load of air bubble. I think I want to remove the return line and drain the fluid while I top off the resivior -- would this be a good idea or a bad idea? Any suggestions?

Edit: I am going to try and bleed the system one more time this morning - but I really think that I have two different fluids not playing well. I looked in the resivior with a flash light and its not clear, it looks brown - which could be a crap load of air bubbles.

Crimson Ghost2011-05-30 03:45:18

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Power Steering puimp squeal (2/12)
5/30/11 5:01am

lukesvette

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HOWELL, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.

Joined: 5/18/2004
Posts: 6812

Didi you replace the pump with a factory replacement or did you go with a high performance pump? If an HP pump, it may be putting out too much pressure. Happened on my buddy's 69 auto cross car. We went and bought a rebuilt OEM pump and it was back top normal. Pump was putting out more pressure that the system could handle.

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Power Steering puimp squeal (3/12)
5/30/11 5:32am

Crimson Ghost
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Vette(s):
1968 convertible

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Posts: 94

I bought this from Summit Racing:

Summit Racing SUM-340104 Saginaw Power Steering Pump.

I think it should be an ok replacement. After I posted I went out to the garage and dropped the low pressure hose into a bucket and completely drained the fluid. I then ran more fluid through the system until it ran clear. I reconnected it all and filled the reservoir and then turned the wheel lock to lock a dozen or so times to bleed the system. I live in north East PA so its too early to run the car for a little while yet. But the fluid in the reservoir is much cleaner that before - it took on a brown tint but with a flash light I can see the silver bottom of the pump. First time around it was all brown murky mess – so I don’t think I fully flushed it well.

I am hoping that the old fluid was a different consistency of my PS fluid and it was not releasing the air bubbles from concentration – if that would be case than the fluid was filled with bubbles like a bottle of soda. Well, I am hoping anyway – I am new to this and just learning.

Of all the new pulleys I installed the PS pump is the only one that looks slightly out of alignment. I might try and shim it a little to get it perfectly plumb – but that’s a big project that I am not getting into today.

Power Steering puimp squeal (4/12)
5/30/11 5:44am

lukesvette

If there is any corrosion in the steering components (like the valve or the cylinder) that the fluid is passing through, it may eventually discolor again.

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Power Steering puimp squeal (5/12)
5/30/11 6:05am

rraider1
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Woodland, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1977 T-Top,350,Auto Black Ruby Pearl,Steeroids R&P conversion

Joined: 10/14/2003
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Not being familiar with the srpintine system but could the squel come from the belt?

Power Steering puimp squeal (6/12)
5/30/11 6:09am

Crimson Ghost
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1968 convertible

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Don't think that it is from the belt - when I turn the wheel all the way to either side it stops, so when there is pressure on the pump it stops and if it were the belt that wouldn't be the case.

Power Steering puimp squeal (7/12)
5/30/11 7:32am

Adams' Apple

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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

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Could be a bad check-valve in the pump. If the valve is leaking slightly, it could cause the noise until you turn all the way to one side, then it would open fully. It's a pressure relief type deal. You prolly just got a pump that is not operating right. How bad is the noise, and is it more of a squeal or a growl?

The type of fluid really isn't an issue. The only real difference between trans fluid and PS fluid is the additive package...the base oil/fluid itself is basically the same.

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Power Steering puimp squeal (8/12)
5/30/11 9:07am

Crimson Ghost
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1968 convertible

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Its a squeal not a growl - the more I ran the car at idle the more it started to quiet down, its about 40% as loud as original now that I drained and flushed the lines and ran it some more. But its still there are since my car is crazy obnoxious when it comes to the sound to hear this squeal over the exhaust means its pretty darn loud.

If the pump is slightly out of alignment could the serpentine belp cause it to squeal ?

Power Steering puimp squeal (9/12)
5/31/11 5:04am

Crimson Ghost
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Vette(s):
1968 convertible

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Posts: 94

At this point I am certain its an alignment issue of the PS pulley

I need some help in aligning it. Sorry no pictures at the moment.

If I stand at the passengers side of car I can see that the PS pulley is not aligned – from this point of view the pulley needs to go back on the drivers side of pulley and basically stay where it is on the passengers side of pulley. I am not sure how to make this happen using washers. I will put a straight edge on it tonight and take some pictures and post again.

Power Steering puimp squeal (10/12)
5/31/11 5:13am

Adams' Apple

IT may well be a belt squeal, if the pulleys are not all aligned well. Spray a little water on the pulley with the engine running, and see if the noise changes. That will confirm a belt squeal.
On serpentine systems, belt tension is fairly critical, too...

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Power Steering puimp squeal (11/12)
5/31/11 5:19am

Crimson Ghost
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Vette(s):
1968 convertible

Joined: 3/3/2010
Posts: 94

I have no idea how much tension to put on the belt - I figured I would call MArch Performance this morning at 9am when they open.

I can try the water tonight - thank's for the idea !

Power Steering puimp squeal (12/12)
5/31/11 9:53am

Adams' Apple

Most serpentine belts allow for you to be able to twist the belt 90 degrees in between the longest span of the belt....meaning, you can grab the belt and twist it about 90 deg from rest. If you are able to twist it more than that, it prolly needs to be tighter. For sure tho, check with the supplier of the system to be sure. They usually call for a certain measurable tension, normally with a belt tensioning gauge..which I'm sure everyone happens to have.

Sometimes new pulleys might have a coating on them that can cause a squeak/squeal until the coating rubs off, too.
Does the belt run the flat side against the P/S pulley, or the ribbed side?

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