Worth fixing Power Steering Bracket?

[at1212b]

Hi All,

On my 87 Chevrolet Astro 4.3L V6 300k, I have the infamous Power steering bracket issue and was wondering if I should give it one last go to fix it for good... in other words, does anybody know if this issue generally fixable?

The bracket had broken as well as the bolt on several occaisions in the past with the bolt even cracking the engine manifold.

- First time, I had the power steering bracket and bolt repaired and replaced by the dealer (broke 1 1/2 year later again)
- Then took it to another shop referred by somebody at $600 (he identified something the dealer didn't do properly) but it broke 1 year later again, and currently, it has been welded, but still seems shaky and will likely break again under continued use.

Currently, it is driven about 5000km/year or less just mainly used to haul stuff. (Van runs well, does not burn oil, all other parts has been replaced). I would like to keep the van around and not have to worry about it breaking again.

If anybody has any input on this, it would be highly appreciated.

Thank you,

Ruben

[old_master]

If you decide to repair it, I would suggest using grade 8 bolts and use loctite on the threads. When the bolts loosen up, the bracket vibrates. The vibration is what breaks the bolts and the bracket.

[Blue Bowtie]

I had a similar problem with my '88 Astro. The unfortunate part was that it happened at highway speed and also wiped out the pump itself (the belt shredded and wiped out the reservoir). I repaired the tear in the bracket, then welded in a 1" square tubing gusset to kill the vibration in the bracket and reinforce it. Too bad I didn't get a photo of the repair, but that was a long time ago.

[at1212b]

Wow, that sucks. I hope it wasn't too crowded on the roads at the time. Did it fix it for good or did you have any problems after that?

[Scrapper]

i agree on the the better bolts..and did you have it mig or tig welded?? i'd use ark and put a piece
of steel welded to bracket so it will reinforce it so the weld wont brake again..good luck.

[Blue Bowtie]

Wow, that sucks. I hope it wasn't too crowded on the roads at the time. Did it fix it for good or did you have any problems after that?

My wife was driving it on the interstate at the time, about 40 miles from here.

My '88 had a steel front accessory bracket, not aluminum like later models. I MIG welded a square tubing gusset in place after welding up the torn metal, used the original bracket bolts because they didn't fail, they just worked loose. However, when the belt wrapped around the pump and did it's thing, it sheared off two of the steering pump mounting bolts and crushed the pump reservoir. Things happen pretty fast at 70 MPH.

I repaired that at 143,000 miles, and I never had another problem with it after that until it was traded at 185K two years later.