Cautionary tale: power steering system/steering shaft failure leads to bad situation

[Dan1990NC]

Hi everyone,

So I bought a 1990 ZR1 in 2019. Soon after buying it, I had some engine work done by one of the few high-performance shops out there that specialize in the LT5. I won't name names, as it's not important to the story; the fault for what happened falls on my shoulders.

So after approximately 18mos at the shop, just prior to this past Christmas, I received the car back (COVID issues were to blame for the delays...fun stuff). It was amazing; I loved all the new power! Pushing near 500hp at the wheels.

One night earlier this summer, around 930pm, the fiance and I are heading back from dinner. I'm taking a relatively sharp left turn from a light, up a steep hill, no more than two miles from my house (in a residential area). We're talking, so I'm not absolutely in-tune to the vehicle, as I typically am (first mistake). I take the turn at approximately 15mph in 2nd, and let my hand off the wheel to allow it to re-center; however, rather than straightening out, the wheel stays far left, taking us into oncoming traffic.

Luckily, there was no one on the road; immediate crisis avoided. I grab the wheel, try to pull it right?and nothing happens. I pull harder, and it slowly starts to move. At this point, my foot is off the clutch. It starts to stall. I re-engage, downshifting into 1st. Apparently the higher revs engaged something in the power steering system, unlocking the wheel. Keep in mind, I'm still pulling right...you can guess what happened next.

So yeah, the long and the short is that my car spun completely around, and slid into a concrete curb at low speed (probably around 10mph). Other than the need for some new underwear, and some gnarly curb rash on the driver side wheel (and some camber work to realign everything), we ended up alright. I even drove it home.

Got it over to one of my favorite custom shops (who have handled other cars I've owned), and we tore it apart. From what they can tell, a system-wide failure took place: total failure of the power steering pump (to the point it seized at low rpms going up a hill), minor failure of various steering components (major wear on the solid rag coupler in the steering shaft, and loose steering assembly?combined with a worn rack/pinion and various other suspension components), and general stupidity on my part (responding as I did) were to blame.

Now, the fiance can say all day long how "lucky" we are that it wasn't earlier; if it were rush hour, we probably would not be here, due to the high likelihood of a head-on collision. And yes, I did not realize how "bad" the feel of the drive was, as I never felt what "good" was supposed to be.

But still, I should have known better. I can't get over my stupidity of getting a high-performance "package" placed in a vehicle with 30 year old suspension components, to whose viability/age/maintenance history I have no concept of. I take total responsibility, and deserve to take this "learning opportunity" directly on the wallet.

That said, I just wanted to share this little story as a warning, to both "stock" drivers as well as those who maybe have a little more going on under the hood. Take a look at your suspension parts, and power steering system! My car has 68k on it, and I have the full driver history (as in basic maintenance records, oil changes, etc)...and even still, I ended up in this situation.

Specifically, take a look at your power steering pumps, and coolers. Apparently both of mine were "worn out". I dont yet know what that means exactly, as I have yet to get over to the shop and examine its internals for myself. I imagine that there was some form of road damage to the cooler, which caused damage to the pump and one caused the other to get worse and worse, etc.

The silver lining is that now everything is getting refreshed; from the radiator on back, it's all being replaced, or refurbished. She shall ride again, and this time, no oversights!

Anyway, just wanted to share my little situation, and encourage everyone in the community to not make my mistake. When you get work done on the engine, ensure everything around the engine can handle it!

Happy to answer questions / share more. Just let me know. Cheers!