ACDelco 36-351290 - Steering Gear Pinion Shaft Seal Kit with Bushing, Gasket, Seals, and Snap Ring

Signs of Wear & Troubleshooting

• Wear in the steering gears is often indicated by excessive 'play' in the steering wheel, steering wheel vibration or shaking, and/or unusual noises.
• Leaks at the shaft seal and the reservoir O-ring seal will allow contamination. A leak at an internal O-ring seal will not allow the pump to build pressure.
• Gear leaks at the upper and lower pinion seals and the inner and outer bulkheads may allow contamination. An internal leak at the valve assembly or the rack piston will not allow the pump to build pressure.
• When present, contaminants are likely to spread through the entire steering system. Proper sealing within the system helps to minimize the risk of contamination.
• Because of the interconnected design of the gears and pump, it is often difficult to evaluate the performance of each separately. For example, it is often difficult to differentiate an inefficient pump from a leaking gear. Often, the repair process will center on the component that is easiest to replace, usually the pump.
• Sometimes the end result is to replace the entire system while attempting to correct the problem. To make matters worse, some steering system problems, such as a glazed or slipping belt, are not directly related to either the pump or the gear.
• The key is to diagnose the problem correctly using the best method available - manual diagnosis by a qualified technician is always the preferred method.

Good Maintenance Practices

• Check power steering fluid levels periodically and add fluid when necessary.
• Have your vehicle inspected if it exhibits any of the following symptoms: unusual noise when turning the steering wheel, a shimmy or shake in the steering wheel, heavy or unresponsive steering at low speeds or during parking lot maneuvers, and/or the steering wheel does not return to center properly.
• If you live in areas that experience harsh winter weather, have the entire steering system inspected before winter arrives to help ensure safer driving.
• It is a good idea to replace O-rings when doing any steering system service. Reusing old O-rings can cause leaks.
• Always check the specific manufacturer's service information for the correct power steering fluid to use. Different fluids are specified by the manufacturers to meet the operating requirements of their power steering systems. On some modern steering systems, brake fluids or transmission fluids may not be compatible with pump components. Using the wrong fluid could cause hose and seal damage as well as fluid leaks.
• Keep in mind that regardless of the original color of new power steering fluid, all fluids will darken in color during use. Fluid color is not an indication of fluid condition.
• After any service of the power steering system, always bleed the air from the system and verify proper system operation. An accurate fluid level cannot be obtained unless air is bled from the steering system. The air in the fluid may cause pump cavitation noise as well as pump damage over a period of time.