Hey guys, I have an 86 Z28 with the original power steering pump. Lately I've been noticing that when I'm not giving it gas, steering is real tough and I gotta wrestle the wheel just to get into a parking space. I checked the power steering fluid and it's good, so it leads me to believe that the pump it self is not working right. Does anyone have any solutions for this problem before I go out and buy a new pump? Thanks alot

-Daniel

 

Is the idle dropping real low when trying to turn the wheel and not giving any gas? Poer steering needs power - a low idling engine isn't pumping fluid as well as a higher idling engine. There is a electrical connector on top of the steering box - it sends a pressure signal to the ECM so that the idle can be adjusted upwards when P/S pump pressures become high - maybe thatconnector is bad, fell out, etc.?

Otherwise, probably pump replacement - not hard to do, no need for bench bleeding the pump like a master brake cylinder or anything. Just get old one out, put new one in, fill with fluid, start car, run bump stop to bump stop a few times, top off fluid again, done.

I'd recommend new lines between pump and gearbox as well - might as well knock that out since you have to disconnect them anyway.

 

I'd suggest tightening the belt FIRST, before worrying about anything else.

Just, MAKE SURE you don't pry on the pump housing, because if you do, (a) you won't be able to put enough pressure on it to affect the belt, and (b) you will crush the housing which is nothing but a thin sheet-metal reservoir and make it leak mercilessly from around the 4" dia O-ring around the pump right behind the pulley where the reservoir seals to it. Pry ONLY on the bracket. Don't forget there are 3 adjustment hardwares you must loosen: 1 on the front, and 2 on the rear. Don't bother trying to move it until you locate and loosen all 3 (rear ones may be less invisible viewed from below).

 

First check the belt, and also change out the old fluid, it makes a world of difference.

To change the fluid, suck out as much of the old fluid as possible. Then, pull the return line off the resevoir and cap it. Aim the return line into a drain pan. Fill the pump with fresh fluid. Disable the engine by pulling the injector fuses or the ignition coil connectors. Have an assistant crank the engine, no more than 10 seconds at a time. At the same time, fill the pump as the fluid level goes down. Pump a full bottle through it and the fluid will be clean.

 

Thanks for all the suggestions, I ended up just replacing the pump. Steering is 100% perfect now.

 

i think it would be safer for your motor if you removed the belt and spun it by hand itl take longer but why waster the battery and starter? just my own opinion ^^he is right though new fluid and flushed lines is great as power steering fluids suffer breakdowns over time just as engine oil does it just takes longer to lose it viscosity