I'm coming into possession of a '95 one ton 4x4 Silverado[sp]. The power steering cooler line[s] gush fluid. Don't know if they go to a separate cooler or radiator? Second, any problem with pinching them off to hold fluid in the pump on a temporary basis?

Thanks for any advise.

 

you can't pinch them off but you could put a rubber hose over them to complete the loop so the fluid can flow back to the pump for a temporary fix. the ends of the cooler should be plugged to prevent contamination should you connect them back up and the cooler is not the source of the leak.

 

i would just put some highpressure hose over it

 

Why is it that they can't be pinched off?

Also, when you say "it", which or what are you referring to?

 

If you pinch them off, the power steering will continue to pump fluid, but the fluid will have nowhere to go(one way in, one way out) and you can burn out the motor. If the reservoir is empty, you can pinch it to stop the fluid from leaking as there is no fluid to pump, but running your pump dry and burn it out as well.

 

Thanks Shawnvw. The truck is some 5 hrs. rt from me but I saw it and see what you say. The lines in/out of the cooler are covered but seem to be rubber? Are they low pressure so that a female patch hose could be hose-clamped on or between them?

Second, if the pump has been burned-out, is that generally fixable [have done that kind of work] or a replacement?

 

If you want to use a hose and clamps, be sure to buy high pressure oil hose. If you use regular hose, the PS oil sill eat through the rubber.

As for the pump, you can get reman pumps for fairly cheap.