I was unable to pinpoint the exact cause, so I had the power steering control valve and the four hoses (links at the end of the article) replaced this morning. This cured the leak and, as a bonus, the steering feel was improved considerably.
Here are a few pics. You gotta love new parts.
Replacing the power steering control valve is not difficult if you have a lift, plenty of tools as well as a small "pickle fork" to separate the pitman arm from the assembly. Having said that, it helps to know what you're doing and it is a messy job, so I chose to let a professional mechanic handle that task for me.
And, since he had the car up on the lift, I also had him install a remanufactured heavy-duty ACDelco starter, which the shop had ordered for me a few days ago since mine was making grinding noises every once in a while.
For $59 it was a no-brainer so in it went!
It works beautifully and smoothly. Fingers crossed that my flywheel is okay. As you know, old cars are never 100% done, so the "funds" never end.
Thank you for following my '76 Vette Blog!
• Power Steering Control Valve
• Power Steering Pressure Line Hose Assembly | ACDelco 36-352490
• Power Steering Cylinder Line Hose Assembly | ACDelco 36-353850
• Power Steering Cylinder Line Hose Assembly | ACDelco 36-353900
• Power Steering Return Line Hose Assembly | ACDelco 36-352177
• Starter Motor - Remanufactured | ACDelco 336-1870
