Power Steering Fix
Mark Giusti - MG8T7GN@aol.com
Introduction
A few weeks ago there was some discussion on the list about power steering groan. Well, in October I bought an 87 Turbo T from its original owner. I noticed that this car had the annoying groan to it. So I compared the power steering reservoir on this car to the one on my 87 GN which I bought new 3/87. My GN also had this groan when it was new but it was fixed under warranty. The design of the 2 reservoirs is noticably different. The groaner has the 2 hoses stacked one on top of the other where as the new design reservoir has the hoses more or less side by side. So I called Zak and ordered the new reservoir. The following is what I did to rid myself of the groan. Hopefully this helps someone else out, because my T no longer groans. Now its nothing but whoosh:) Also I think its worthwhile to check that metal power steering hose where it runs next to the power steering pump. Mine was on its way to bursting from rubbing against the pump.

You Will Need
  • 13mm wrench
  • 10mm wrench
  • 10mm socket
  • 1/2" wrench
  • 1/4" nut driver
  • flat blade screwdriver
  • 2 feet of 5/8" heater hose or CORRECT molded GM hose which goes with new reservoir.
  • New design power steering reservoir with inlet & outlet pipes side by side instead of 1 on top of the other. Part #
  • 25531140
  • 1 qt. power steering fluid.
Procedure
1. Put front end up on jack stands.
2. Suck out as much fluid as possible from reservoir.
3. Remove air intake ducting to turbo. This include MAF sensor, MAT sensor and entire stock air cleaner pedestal assembly. This will make the job easier.
4. Remove the smaller diameter hose from the reservoir. This hose will be reused.
5. Remove large diameter hose from reservoir & also remove it from the power steering pump. This hose cannot be reused. It will be too short. While under the car removing the large diameter hose check the metal power steering hose that runs by the power steering pump behind the pulley. Mine was almost rubbed through from rubbing against the pump. What I did was get a piece of 3/8" rubber gas line about 4"-5" long and slit it down the side. I then wrapped it around the metal hose and clamped it on the bottom for a little insurance.
6. The next step can be done 2 different ways I believe. The 1st is to see if GM makes a molded replacement hose that goes with the replacement reservoir. If that is available I would advise using it since it will have the appropriate bends already molded into it. Option 2 is what I did since I didn't know the old hose would be too short with the new reservoir. I got 2' of 5/8" heater hose and put one end on the power steering pump using the old clamp to secure it. I then transferred the plastic ribbed heat shield from the old hose to the new one. Finally I cut about 7"-8" off the new hose and attached it to the reservoir. Make sure you leave enough hose so that it doesn't kink on the bend.
7. Attach small diameter hose to new reservoir and mount new reservoir in place of the old one.
8. Reinstall air intake system.
9. Refill the reservoir to the full cold line, start it up and check for leaks. Also keep a close eye on the fluid level as it will go down once the pump starts running.
10. The last thing I did was bleed any air out of the system by turning the steering wheel ALMOST lock to lock a few times with the car running and still on the jack stands.
11. Take the car down go out for a long :) test drive and see if the groan is gone.


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