Got another question that is different from but still related to my other post about tie rod ends and ZF R&P's. My 80 has been rebuilt in the past (about 1999 or 2000) and that rebuild included a reman ZF rack and pinion. I realize that 1999 was almost 20 years ago and that makes it seem like the life of this rack was perfectly acceptable. However, the car has only 60,000 miles on it since the car was rebuilt and its been leaking for a few years now (very minor leak, nothin that was urgently in need of repair). I am planning to put new seals in this unit and use a rack from the junk yard until I get the old unit sent off, rebuilt, and sent back. But, before I do anything I want to ask you guys' opinion on something.
This car has a 1997 Chevy S10 4.3L Vortec engine in it, and is using the chevy alternator, power steering pump, etc. I frequently see kits sold to reduce the pressure of a GM pump (tho they sell it for use with the old pinto/mustang 2 rack and pinion units which apparently need less pressure). Seeing stuff like that, and having what seems like an uncommon and premature failure on my reman rack and the fact that I have a pump that was designed for a truck/suv steering box, I am wondering if the GM pumps pressure is significantly higher than the original volvo pump, and if that could be the reason for the failure of this rack? I do not know what the operating pressure spec is for either of the pumps, or of the rack.
Should I install a pressure reducing kit in my pump, or do you guys think that it was just time for the seals in that rack to start leaking?
This car has a 1997 Chevy S10 4.3L Vortec engine in it, and is using the chevy alternator, power steering pump, etc. I frequently see kits sold to reduce the pressure of a GM pump (tho they sell it for use with the old pinto/mustang 2 rack and pinion units which apparently need less pressure). Seeing stuff like that, and having what seems like an uncommon and premature failure on my reman rack and the fact that I have a pump that was designed for a truck/suv steering box, I am wondering if the GM pumps pressure is significantly higher than the original volvo pump, and if that could be the reason for the failure of this rack? I do not know what the operating pressure spec is for either of the pumps, or of the rack.
Should I install a pressure reducing kit in my pump, or do you guys think that it was just time for the seals in that rack to start leaking?
