Power steering installation
#1
Power steering installation
Dear fellow Chevy Camaro entusiasts
I finally got my Camaro Z28 '82 last monday. Imported it to my homecountry Denmark. I was very happy to get it started and all, I absolutely love the sound. There is a lot to do to the car, but that is okay, that is why I bought it. To learn how to do stuff on cars.
But there is one major thing, that I want to adress as one of the first things, because there is no power steering. I found some parts in the back, that looks like power steering stuff.
What I want to ask is, since I am a beginner, installing power steering seem like a very daunting task. The Haynes repair manual says to leave it to the professionals and the Chilton manual has the instructions but it mentions like 3-4 special tools. Is it super hard to do or?
video:
I finally got my Camaro Z28 '82 last monday. Imported it to my homecountry Denmark. I was very happy to get it started and all, I absolutely love the sound. There is a lot to do to the car, but that is okay, that is why I bought it. To learn how to do stuff on cars.
But there is one major thing, that I want to adress as one of the first things, because there is no power steering. I found some parts in the back, that looks like power steering stuff.
What I want to ask is, since I am a beginner, installing power steering seem like a very daunting task. The Haynes repair manual says to leave it to the professionals and the Chilton manual has the instructions but it mentions like 3-4 special tools. Is it super hard to do or?
video:
#2
Just a power steering gear , power steering pump and a few hoses. Does your car have a pulley to run the power steering pump off of? If so its not that big of a project, you can do it! Looks like the guy before you took the heater and air out as well. Probably was trying to save weight for racing. Does the car still have power brakes?
#3
Just a power steering gear , power steering pump and a few hoses. Does your car have a pulley to run the power steering pump off of? If so its not that big of a project, you can do it! Looks like the guy before you took the heater and air out as well. Probably was trying to save weight for racing. Does the car still have power brakes?
There is no pulley, I think I'll have somebody install it. There is plenty of other stuff I can do... Thanks for the reply!
#4
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Eastern PA,
Posts: 10,352
Just a heads up, running a power steering gear box without power steering fluid in it will ruin the bearings and the seal. Depending on how long the last owner had the steering box disconnected you may need a rebuild kit or replacement steering box.
Another word of warning. If you hook up a good power steering pump to a bad steering gears the metal from the gear will ruin the pump.
Before you hook up any unknown component install an inline filter in the power steering line.
You will need to do something because driving a car with a power steering box that is not hooked up is dangerous. It would not pass any safety inspection I have seen here in the states.
Another word of warning. If you hook up a good power steering pump to a bad steering gears the metal from the gear will ruin the pump.
Before you hook up any unknown component install an inline filter in the power steering line.
You will need to do something because driving a car with a power steering box that is not hooked up is dangerous. It would not pass any safety inspection I have seen here in the states.
#5
got it all sorted out
thank you Gorn for replying on my old question. Yup, the steering box was bad so it has been replaced. Also a new steering column, it was remanufactured, bought it on ebay, it was really cheap and it was made like new. He called himself Dan the Column man. I can recommend.
Also I can recommend the steering fluid called Redline, I think it is made in the US.
I'll put pictures up soon.
Also I can recommend the steering fluid called Redline, I think it is made in the US.
I'll put pictures up soon.
#6
Congratulations on the Z-28!!
No, power steering isn't that difficult. Cardone sells a new steering box for starters, you may have to remove the motor mount bolts and jack the engine up to get the new one in there. Then go with a gen2 pump and resovoir and you tube it and you'll be fine!!!
This is my 67 RS/SS . I put a 496, 775 h.p. monster in it with an M-22 rockrusher.
This is my 67 RS/SS . I put a 496, 775 h.p. monster in it with an M-22 rockrusher.
#7
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Eastern PA,
Posts: 10,352
Just another heads up. I do not know what you are planning with the car but as GM started pushing the design in the late 80's, the steering boxes start to tear out of the frame. If I remember right it started with the Firehawks that were racing on road courses. These where brand new cars. GM made a non-weld in plate kit for any car that started to crack but I think they went by tire size for the actual recall. That means cars that were not Firehawks or LE1's may not have gotten the kits.
When I built my 84 I just welded in large thick washers on the bolt side. In hind sight I am not sure the welding was that important. Don't do anything on the box side since that would mess with your steering geometry. If it all together then the next time your working in the area just pull one bolt at a time add a washer and tighten in back down. If you see a crack do not mess around get the kits. I think most modern aftermarket kits are weld in.
When I built my 84 I just welded in large thick washers on the bolt side. In hind sight I am not sure the welding was that important. Don't do anything on the box side since that would mess with your steering geometry. If it all together then the next time your working in the area just pull one bolt at a time add a washer and tighten in back down. If you see a crack do not mess around get the kits. I think most modern aftermarket kits are weld in.
Last edited by Gorn; 11-19-2022 at 08:27 PM.
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