P/S Piston Rod Cushion Spacer

[Leif A.]

Gents,
Please look at item #10 on the attached. My power steering does NOT have this spacer. What is it's purpose and should I install one. Steering has never given me any problems. Thanks in advance.

[Joe L.]

Re: P/S Piston Rod Cushion Spacer

Gents,
Please look at item #10 on the attached. My power steering does NOT have this spacer. What is it's purpose and should I install one. Steering has never given me any problems. Thanks in advance.

Leif-------


The spacer helps ensure proper compression of the two grommets and stabilizes the assembly. While I don't think there would be a very noticeable problem without it, the spacer needs to be installed. The spacer is GM-discontinued. However, it should be easily available in the Corvette aftermarket. You might need to buy a kit which contains it and other pieces but, if I were you, I'd replace the grommets, too.

By the way, I should have mentioned, if you buy one of the kits do not use the steel retainers included with them. Every one of these that I've seen are incorrect, both in configuration and functionality. If your retainers are original, re-use them.

[Richard M.]

Re: P/S Piston Rod Cushion Spacer

Ah, YOU have the cell-sideways blues too, don'tcha?

[Leif A.]

Re: P/S Piston Rod Cushion Spacer

Rich,
Yup...

[Leif A.]

Re: P/S Piston Rod Cushion Spacer

Leif-------


The spacer helps ensure proper compression of the two grommets and stabilizes the assembly. While I don't think there would be a very noticeable problem without it, the spacer needs to be installed. The spacer is GM-discontinued. However, it should be easily available in the Corvette aftermarket. You might need to buy a kit which contains it and other pieces but, if I were you, I'd replace the grommets, too.

By the way, I should have mentioned, if you buy one of the kits do not use the steel retainers included with them. Every one of these that I've seen are incorrect, both in configuration and functionality. If your retainers are original, re-use them.

Joe,
Do these have the correct configuration to you?

[Joe L.]

Re: P/S Piston Rod Cushion Spacer

Joe,
Do these have the correct configuration to you?

Leif------


Absolutely not. These are shock washers but they are often supplied for the power steering cylinder retainers. They will work but they are not correct. Other bogus retainers are completely convex/concave (like front a-arm shaft end retainers).

Correct power steering cylinder shaft end retainers appear like this:

[Leif A.]

Re: P/S Piston Rod Cushion Spacer

Thank you Joe. Any idea as to which vendor carries the correct retainer?

[Joe L.]

Re: P/S Piston Rod Cushion Spacer

Thank you Joe. Any idea as to which vendor carries the correct retainer?

Leif------


I can't say that I know of one. There may be one out there, though. I have not really looked for them as I have all of the NOS examples I'll ever need [none for sale].

By the way, many of the Corvette parts vendors carry retainers that are the same as those you pictured. I say these are incorrect. There were 2 GM part numbers for these retainers. I have NOS examples of both, both are virtually identical and as I pictured above.

[Leif A.]

Re: P/S Piston Rod Cushion Spacer

Thank you Joe. Keen Parts appears to have the most correct looking retainer. I'll order from them.