Noisy Power Steering and Hydratech System

[old66tiger]

Hey guys.

I have the LS3 with Corvette style accessories. I bled this thing several times and no matter what I do, it is noisy while idling and worse when moving towards either lock. The brakes seem to work fine, but when I pump them more than once, the booster makes a swooshing noise. Any ideas? Also, lots of tiny air bubbles in the reservoir. Sounds like air in the system but I have no idea.

[cactuss4]

not sure about the noise, but are you using a T or do you have individual returns? Heard stories when using a T.

Not sure if related, thought I would ask.

[RLJ676]

Try Lucas stop leak,helped quiet my crummy dorman reman box down, and smoothed it out a ton.

[cpd004]

oldtiger...I'm running the same exact thing as you and have the same noise. I am running a T. I was under the impression that it might be the cheap aftermarket pump.

[old66tiger]

Talked to hydratech and I have some homework to do. First...may take 50 to 60 miles to get rid of the air in the system. Second...the pump may be trying to flow more fluid than necessary causing air. Essentially churning the fluid. More than 0.140" orifice moves too much fluid and will cause problems. A restrictor is required. Third...reservoir needs to be 0.5 to 0.75 quarts. Fourth...should be a vented cap. Fifth...should be running a magnetic filter on return. Sixth...should be a minimum of 5/8 supply to pump and 3/8 return to reservoir.

[dragonfly jones]

Wow. I haven't installed my hydaboost yet , but you mention a lot of things I didn't see in the instructions.

[cpd004]

I have somewhere around 130 or so miles on my set up and it hasn't quieted down at all. I suppose the pump could be flowing too much, but how do you restrict flow to just the Hydratech system without restricting it to the gear box? IIRC it goes from the pump to the hydroboost and then to the gear box. The stock corvette reservoir doesn't look as if it can hold that much fluid, but I never measured. I was under the impression that all modern caps were vented. Can you post a link to the type of filter they're referring to?

Thanks for getting all this info.

[Hydratech®]

Here is some good reading that will help you understand these systems better:

http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=36999

https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/...es-w-Hydratech

Excessive pump flow is the culprit 99% of the time. Concept One had a mutual customer complaining of system noise bring his pump directly in to them for some testing - they dyno'ed the pump to find it flowing about 3.5 GPM, running noisy. Upon our instruction, they replaced the PS pump output fitting with one that had a smaller orifice sizing to bring pump flow down to 2.0 - 2.2 GPM to find whisper quiet operations and a much cooler power steering system run temp...

[cpd004]

From what I'm told, the Corvette pump generally flows about 2.6 gpm. This is according to Turn One steering. Since I need a smaller pulley, should I have the flow reduced further down to 2.2 gpm? I am going to eliminate the T altogether and use the Russell fitting tapped into the side of the reservoir.

[old66tiger]

From what I'm told, the Corvette pump generally flows about 2.6 gpm. This is according to Turn One steering. Since I need a smaller pulley, should I have the flow reduced further down to 2.2 gpm? I am going to eliminate the T altogether and use the Russell fitting tapped into the side of the reservoir.

I would love to eliminate the T myself. It just doesn't look good but I am loss for getting a fitting to seal in the plastic reservoir.

[cpd004]

I believe 670850 here is the one Hydratech is talking about.

Sorry....forgot the link:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ru...FRAwaQodDkQAUQ

[gmorris]

This is the reservoir I went to. I built a bracket to mount it directly above the pump so the suction line is about 4" long. It sticks up a bit but it has the dedicated 3rd inlet, a big capacity and the filter removes small air bubbles. Seems to be working well so far.

http://www.pscmotorsports.com/pro-to...ter-21330.html

[old66tiger]

Well, Pulled the pump and the output orifice is 0.128" So...that rules that out. What next? I really don't want to go to a massive reservoir. It will stick out too much.

[WallaceMFG]

What fluid are you using? I was told that Hydratech recommends Royal Purple power steering fluid, maybe that could help? My friend had the same problem as you, he switched the fluid and it helped, but his pump also was bad so it didn't completely cure it in his case.

[old66tiger]

Talked with GM tech and they are warranting the pump. I am switching to Royal Purple and I will also be getting a "short" reservoir to take the place of the corvette one. Not ideal, but I need this to work correctly.

[CarlC]

When first using the Hydraboost system it was difficult to get it completely bled. In the end, switching to the GM power steering fluid cured all of the air entrainment problems. The Camaro still uses the GM fluid even though the steering pump is different and the HB is no longer used. It just works, but a small cooler may be needed for higher speed applications.

[sam 74]

on my system i had to open up my fitting to increase flow, went to 5/32 i was having issues with loss of assist at idle and just off idle, so i had to increase my flow. when i had a T fitting i had all sorts of issues, i ordered a res from an vender on here with 2 returns, a -6 from the box outlet/cooler and a -8 from hydroboost, and a -10 to pump, that cured alot of the issues i was having. when the single return res was used i was also getting airation from the fluid returning churning up in the res with air and getting bubbles in it and that got sucked into the pump and caused some noise. the biggest problem with the T fitting was to much back pressure in the system and the brakes wouldn't disengage for a few seconds after i let off the pedal.

[old66tiger]

Ok....got the new pump and set to work putting things back together. First off, I installed the o-ring adaper in the pump and when I tried threading the AN fitting on the adapter, the pulley was too close. I ended up grinding a small amount of metal from the back side of the pulley and was able to get the fitting on. The old pump was close but it fit ok. I bench bled the pump before putting it on the car. There wasn't much air in the pump and it cleared up quickly. I put the pump on the car and started the bleeding process. The old 1966 Saginaw pump bled immediately. I have several hours into bleeding this setup with the type 2 pump. I cycled the steering back and fourth a million times, depressed the pedal several times, etc... I am using a clear hose on the return going into the top of the reservoir which is very handy when watching for bubbles. It is much quieter but I have no idea if this is it. Also...the new pump has an output orifice of about 0.128"

[cpd004]

I took a different approach than you. I sent my factory pump in to Turn One for a smaller pulley due to clearance issues and to adjust the flow to Hydratech's specs. I also eliminated the T and added a return directly to the factory reservoir above the fluid line for the hydroboost. I swapped to redline synthetic fluid (I'm not a fan of Royal Purple at all) and bled the system which seemed to take forever. I still have noise and it's barely quitter than when I started. I don't have a clear hose, but don't see bubbles forming either. I've only got about 30 or so miles on it since redoing it. I put a hose from my ear to the pump and the sound is definitely from within. It's not as quiet as it should be and seems to be the loudest noise under the hood.

[old66tiger]

I got everything together this weekend and took it for a few short trips. The pump is significantly quieter and the steering and brakes are reasonably responsive. You can still hear some noise coming from the pump under load. Does not appear to whine as bad while idling which is an improvement. Next step is a PSC reservoir. They are making a shorter version for us pro-touring guys. Would be nice if they could make something that mimics the corvette style reservoir...size and fit.