Stupid Question

[brusso]

I have a stock 75 w/350 auto. How do you remove the power steering cap without removing the alternator pivot point bracket? I can only open the cap and pull it out about an inch before it hits this bracket.

 

[Mac]

A wise man once said "There are no stupid questions."

My guess is you must loosen the tension on the belts and tilt to gain access.
That being said, my 73 has standard steering so I'm visualizing from memory.

 

[MaineShark]

You just need to tilt the cap to the side and pull it out. It's a close fit, but it will clear.

Joe

 

[C3forME]

Your right, it is a very tight situation but it can be removed without loosening any belts or brackets. Two things can make it difficult or impossible to get the cap off. #1, make sure that the P/S belt is the correct one for your car and is the correct length according to your owners manual. #2 be sure that you have the correct pump on you car as well, I had the same problem and found out that someone had changed the pump out on my car and replaced it with a pump from a '74 big block with a 2 groove pulley. Once I replaced it with the correct pump and correct belt I was able to remove it, although it still is no picnic and very dangerous to do with the motor running because the alternator belt is so close to the cap.

 

[brusso]

Thanks to all. I'm glad that I'm not the only one who has found this not to be an easy task. I guess that, after replacing the E-brake shoes and hardware and all of the rear steel brake lines, I shouldn't be shocked that this was a normal vette arrangement. I'll try again tomorrow.

 

[78SilvAnniv]

WHAT!!!!????

Once I replaced it with the correct pump and correct belt I was able to remove it, although it still is no picnic and very dangerous to do with the motor running because the alternator belt is so close to the cap.

I certainly hope you were kidding about trying to remove the ps cap while the engine is running.
Trying to do that could cause mass quantities of skin and apendages to become irreparably damaged and/or permanantly removed by the moving parts. :eek
I would never attempt that with my 78. Are other vettes different in that you can access the ps cap while the engine is running!?
Heidi

 

[The73vetteman]

Well Heidi, my 73 with ps sounds just like the others described. The cap will come out but it is kinda fiddly. The other issue of course is how do you get new fluid in? I bought a long funnel for this purpose.

And no one should ever be reaching in around belts while the engine is running. Never. Just don't do it.

'73

 

[81 Corvette]

yep, its a tight fit. But with the clutch fan and shroud gone on mine, its a piece of cake. Just angle the cap a bit and add fluid.

 

[Hib Halverson]

Typically, it's best to check power steering fluid with the engine at operating temperature and the engine running, HOWEVER, with many C3s that's not possible to do safely.

The next best thing is to run the engine until the coolant temp comes up, then shut it off and check the fluid.

Even that may not be practical on some C3s due to the engine being hot when you shut it down.

In that case, the best thing to do is when the engine is cool, pull the cap and look at the little dip stick. Some will be marked "full hot" and "full cold" others will have only one full mark. If you have both, check the PS fluid when the engine is cold You want it at the "full cold" mark.

If it only has one mark, you need to check it with the engine is hot one time and make sure it's full. Let the engine cool down to room temp. then check it again. If the level has changed, where ever it sits at that time is your "full cold" mark.

The reason this level thing is important is if the pump gets low, the fluid either overheats or the pump fails. If the level is too high, the pump blows oil all over the right side of the engine.

 

[78SilvAnniv]

TIP for checking hot ps fluid...

This may only work for me because I have small arms, but I would drape a towel over my arm/sleeve for protection from the hot engine components, radiator hose and dirty belts.


I do have to 'fiddle' with the ps top to get it out, sometimes placing my hand over the belt so my fingers grasp the ps top along with the belt in my palm. Dexterity in the fingers is nearly mandatory.

My ps funnel is about 12" tall and narrow. Rather small-ish bowl, too. I wedge it against the belt and into the ps reservoir.

Several years ago I had a BAAAAD ps leak...required fluid nearly every other day, so I am an experienced ps fluid checker/changer. My problem was only solved by changing every part at the same time. Changing it out part at a time was not the solution.
Heidi

 

[C3forME]

Re: WHAT!!!!????

I certainly hope you were kidding about trying to remove the ps cap while the engine is running.
Trying to do that could cause mass quantities of skin and apendages to become irreparably damaged and/or permanantly removed by the moving parts. :eek
I would never attempt that with my 78. Are other vettes different in that you can access the ps cap while the engine is running!?
Heidi

Heidi,
I would never suggest trying to take the cap off with the engine running, it is way to dangerous. The engine definiately has to be off. It's hard enough to get it off when the engines not running!! :eek

 

[78SilvAnniv]

I misread, please accept my apologies.

Heidi,
I would never suggest trying to take the cap off with the engine running, it is way to dangerous. The engine definiately has to be off. It's hard enough to get it off when the engines not running!! :eek

You are soo right about the difficulty in removing the ps cap! I think my small arm and hand make it easier for me to maneuver around but it still is difficult.

I am sorry I misread your first post, please accept my apologies.
Heidi