Steering rack heat shield.

[91GPLQ1]

Hi all!

I had a shop replacing the power steering lines om my 91GPLQ1 and they broke the rack heat shield.

Is this heat shield available new, or can i go without it?

 

Also, they used Dexron for power steering fluid, is this a problem?

 

Thanks!

[55trucker]

My first thought would be......uhhh....you ARE replacing the item you just broke. There's no room for negotiation. Fix it.

Second.......any idiot who poured in trans fluid in place of the proper power steering fluid (which is NOT the same as trans fluid) would be facing a very large baseball bat.

[BXX]

Yeah, the trans fluid is a big no no. Expect seal failure soon to come. Trans fluid swells the seals in our PS systems.

 

Expect to need new rack, lines, and pump in the near future.

[alec_b]

Yeah, the trans fluid is a big no no. Expect seal failure soon to come. Trans fluid swells the seals in our PS systems.

 

Expect to need new rack, lines, and pump in the near future.

 

I've used ATF in several of my own personal GM cars (not at work), and never had an issue? I actually prefer the feel of the P/S with ATF in it. My aurora made the biggest difference, the rack would get tight in colder MN winters at slow speeds, flushed the system out with ATF and it never did it again. And didn't leak or make any noise in 30k miles. Pump was actually quieter after the flush too.

[Schurkey]

Thousands of years ago, ATF was the recommended fluid for PS systems.

 

That is no longer true, because as ATF has become more specialized for use in transmissions, it's become less suitable for PS systems.

 

ATF is MUCH less viscous than the ATF of the '60's, and that's just the beginning of the changes.

 

 

 

 

 

The shop broke the heat shield, the shop TAKES CARE OF THE PROBLEM. That's why they get the big bucks.

 

The shop installed the wrong fluid, the shop TAKES CARE OF THE PROBLEM. That's why they have the shop manuals and training seminars...and why YOU have an owner's manual.

[BXX]

Really? I haven't had luck using ATF in my GM P/S systems.

 

I guess maybe my luck sucks:lol:

 

With that being said, ATF makes for a decent stop leak in P/S systems cause it causes the seals to swell a bit and slow down or stop leaks.

[BXX]

Thousands of years ago, ATF was the recommended fluid for PS systems.

 

That is no longer true, because as ATF has become more specialized for use in transmissions, it's become less suitable for PS systems.

 

ATF is MUCH less viscous than the ATF of the '60's, and that's just the beginning of the changes.

 

 

 

 

 

The shop broke the heat shield, the shop TAKES CARE OF THE PROBLEM. That's why they get the big bucks.

 

The shop installed the wrong fluid, the shop TAKES CARE OF THE PROBLEM. That's why they have the shop manuals and training seminars...and why YOU have an owner's manual.

 

I agree with this. The shop needs to own up to their mistakes.

[91GPLQ1]

Thanks all!

 

I´ll have a talk with them.

Funny part is they say the shield was so rusted it falled apart? From what i see the material heat shield is made of cannot rust (cardboard like material?) Most likely they broke it apart?

 

Again, is the shield available new?

 

Thanks

[AL]

I have no idea if the shield is available, youll have to call the dealer

[jman093]

Shield is part number 10293338, no longer available. Says to be LQ1 specific. Just get one from a salvage yard.

[AL]

If its that important, make them replace it

[Schurkey]

is the shield available new?

 

Why are YOU wasting time looking for parts that the repair shop should be hunting down. THEY owe you a new shield. THEY should be doing ALL the work to find it, and to install it.

 

If its that important, make them replace it

 

So let me rephrase that quote above. My version is "It's important. Make THEM replace it."

Edited September 3, 2011 by Schurkey

[95 vert]

Been running ATF in power steering systems for years. Absolutely, positively NO issues whatsoever.

That shield is a cheap piece of cardboard that breaks (easily) if you just touch it. I've had several

cars that that shield either broke off during repairs or wasn't there (from a prior breakage)

and had no steering issues on any of them.

You could probably find something to shield the rack if you're that worried about it, but I certainly

wouldn't fault the shop for "breaking" it. It would be extremely hard not to, due to how brittle it gets.

 

BTW, I'm running a 3" downpipe on my Vert with no shield and I don't have any steering problems.

[Crazy K]

I keep meaning to make a shield as i broke mine, too. I'd probably make mine from a flat aluminum sheet... that just happens to be an old license plate...