96 Z34 P/S help

[JB601]

So a last week I woke up with no power steering. It worked just fine before I parked. Never leaked and just as smooth as it has ever been. Fluid was always changed out once a year and the entire power steering assembly has been flawless. Well I found the the p/s fluide was leaking, well more like gushing out around the steering knuckle / steering column boot area. I've asked around, most people say its the return hose. I sort a agree because the power steering works perfectly for 10 seconds until all the fluid hits the ground. So as I researched this issue, everybody keeps telling me to lower the sub frame. Well, I've done a lot of work on this car but never lowered the subframe. I figured that I needed to go ahead and fix the dreaded o-ring oil leak since I was going to have to spend to wrench time on my Monte. So I got the top end torn down and (I know it sounds bad) but I just sealed up the o-ring with some JB weld rather then pull those heads. Its sealed really good. I also soaked the intake components in degreaser to remove all the carbon grime and build up while I'm still waiting on my intake gaskets to arrive, I was just cleaning other areas that needed to be cleaned on the top and noticed that I could actually see the hoses running to the rack and pinion. I didn't notice and clear indication of leak but since I have it torn down I can't simply start it up and investigate. I would like to rack you guy's minds. Most say its a hose because the rack still works once pressurized. Some say it's the steering gear gasket and replace the entire rack? But I'm not 100% sure about crawling under there and dropping the sub-frame then realizing that I did something totally messed up and be up $#@ creek. Is there anyway to get around dropping that sub frame? Could it simple be a butsted hose? I called a few shops and I simple don't have $500 bucks to spend. If it is a hose I would like to try to replace it while I have some kind of access to it from the top.

Check this out: I went to my favorite junk yard sat. They had a monte sitting out there without the tranny and the engine sort just tossedd back in there. The guy came around with this huge tow motor and lifted the entire car of the engine and pushed it back. At this junk yard, you bring your own tool, pull your own parts. I took everything I could possible think I would ever need. p/s pump, altenator, compressor, coils, bottom line it was like christmas morning. I finally found an air pump that actually worked!!! No rust, no water, it looked brand new. all for $30! Man I love TN junk yards.

[matthewboyleZ34]

Heya JB!

I, too, have had this problem with both the "dreaded o-ring" and the ps going out. I went throught the entire process of removing the head to actually replace the o-ring but the JB weld was a good idea. My dad uses that stuff for everything and told me to use it but I didn't wanna go that route with my 97 z34.

Anyways, the power steering return hose has a tendancy to go bad and leak and, yes, it does require the dropping of the sub-frame. I took mine to a shop and paid like $300.00 from the Local Chevy Dealer (asked for a military discount and met some former vets that hooked me up). I lacked the garage, and tools, and time (at the time) to do this job. I was told that if you do this on your own, be careful not to lower the sub-frame too far. You don't want to separate the rack and pinion gears which would put you up $#@ creek, as you correctly described your concern above. Good luck with your MC. BTW, the 3.4L engine is hard to work on but it is definitely worth it and your monte will be worth $$ in the future when it becomes an antique especially if it is Z34.