Power Steering issue (morning sickness?)

[MCNE]

Well this is the first real issue I've had with my 96. Returning from best buy last night I have a difficult time turning into my garage because of a lack of power steering. I did have some fluid leaking but not a lot. After I got the car in the garage I literally had not leaking with the car running.

This morning started up the vette and still no leaking. Wheel turns both ways very easily so I thought I'd go around the block. All went well until I stopped to turn back into the neighborhood. Same problem with the steering and I know it was leaking a little. I can't tell where the leak is coming from and it won't leak without driving it with the power steering issue. I've never seen a problem like this. The issue isn’t consistent nor is the leak. I did have the car aligned through the body shop after the repaired some damage on my bumper about a week ago. Hopefully the timing is just a coincidence.



Any ideas?



1996 corvette with 57,000 miles.



MCNE

 

[c4cruiser]

Potential leaking points can be the hoses or connections, power steering pump, or the seals in the rack. Morning sickness is usually found when the fluid is cold (at start-up) and gets better as the fluid gets warm. Sometimes the system is noisy but goes away as the fluid heats up.

It's pretty tight up there but you might want to jack the car up and remove the front sway bar. That might give you more area to look around and cleanup the wet areas. Once you get everything dry, start the motor and have somebody turn the steering wheel while you look for signs of leakage. Any pressure leaks will show up quickly.

What color is the fluid? If it's a dark brown, you may want to change the fluid. Use a turkey baster (DO NOT use the one in the kitchen; there will be repercussions....) to suck out the fluid in the reservoir and refill with new fluid. Start the motor and turn the wheel a few times. Repeat this step about 5 times. I use Red Line synthetic P/S fluid for track use and it's also great for the street.

 

[MCNE]

Yea I have it up now but the darn thing won't leak. I'm letting it run for a little becaue it may need to be fully warm. Drive fine first time you take it out. Maybe it's one of the presure lines?

 

[Vanity Plate Bob]

The 86 Olds 88 I had did the same. Had to have the steering rack replaced.

Now have an 88 Olds Cierra and it does it now and again so I am assuming it is the same problem.
Does it speratically. Can do it when U least expect it to and you can mis-steer.

Not aware that the steering rack can be repaired. Seals or whatever.

 

[OLDCHEV]

I had the same problem on my 90 Vert. I used Lucas power steering stop leak and have not had a problem since.

I also used the same procedure as C4Cruiser did to change the fluid and when I was on the last refill I used the Lucas treatment. Not another groan or leak!

 

[Mart]

I'm not one for additives but with the price of a newZ51 rack out of reach right now because of other projects on the car.

I too used the Lucas power steering additive, and WOW did it work great, no more leak no groan on startup, it'll make it another season. Use the full bottle though I started by topping up, and it did nothing, then I read to use the full bottle and, WOW gone.

Mart

http://www.lucasoil.com/products/display_products.sd?iid=28&catid=2&loc=show

 

[jsinga]

Try the flush and fill, maybe do it a couple of times until you get fairly clean looking fluid since you won't get it all with just changing what's in reservoir. Sometimes a seal will bind with dirty fluid.
If the first try doesn't get it try different stuff. Especially with the time, effort and cost of a rack. Don't hear a lot of morning sickness complaints in newer GM stuff; mostly 80's had the disease.

JS

 

[MCNE]

Thanks for all of the replies! Can this Lucas product be purchased at a local retailer or just online? The oil isn't really a red color more like a dirty brown currently. Also do I just extract what's in the reservoir and refill?

MCNE