When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
When I bought my '82, the power steering would only assist in one direction. It was normal turning to the left, but turning to the right at very low speed was very difficult. There were no other symptoms related to this; steering was centered and the car tracked straight and otherwise steered well.
Following a discussion here on the forum, I rebuilt the control valve and installed a new, US-made power cylinder. I thought this had fixed the problem, but in fact the symptom has just changed. Now, the steering system has good assist in both directions, but only when it's cold. After it warms up, it becomes very difficult to turn to the right again. Could this be low pressure from the pump? Maybe the assist pressure decreases after the oil warms up and thins? Can these pumps fail in this mode?
It could be the ram as noted above, but if you want to know for sure, you'd have to pressure test throughout the system. Given you replaced the cylinder and have almost the exact same issue, I'd be suspicious of the problem being in the new cylinder. If I had to guess absent a system pressure test, I'd say the spool valve in your control valve is sticking. Might be varnish or a burr on the spool valve or in the control valve bore.
Right, I don't think it's likely to be the new cylinder considering this is basically the same symptom. Also, I didn't see anything in the control valve that I thought would cause this. One edge of the bore was broken off, but there's still plenty of smooth bore covered by the piston. Tried a test yesterday when I got home from work with the car still hot. Turned the wheel to the right while at a stop and revved the motor. There was no difference in effort, still virtually no assist in that direction. I think that implies the pump isn't causing this. Guess I'll need to ask my local mechanic to test the pressure for me.
If the piston seals in the cylinder are bad, it will only give boost to the left. Unhook the cylinder and start the car, chances are, the cylinder will extend and not retract.
Right, I don't think it's likely to be the new cylinder considering this is basically the same symptom. Also, I didn't see anything in the control valve that I thought would cause this. One edge of the bore was broken off, but there's still plenty of smooth bore covered by the piston. Tried a test yesterday when I got home from work with the car still hot. Turned the wheel to the right while at a stop and revved the motor. There was no difference in effort, still virtually no assist in that direction. I think that implies the pump isn't causing this. Guess I'll need to ask my local mechanic to test the pressure for me.
Are you sure there is no additional FOD in the valve seeing how you found some of the pieces already.
Are you sure there is no additional FOD in the valve seeing how you found some of the pieces already.
Nice roadster Bob!
I was really careful about cleaning out the valve before I reassembled it. The fact that the system works when it's cold has me stumped. Maybe I should replace the valve, just to eliminate it. Something might be worn that I can't see.
I was really careful about cleaning out the valve before I reassembled it. The fact that the system works when it's cold has me stumped. Maybe I should replace the valve, just to eliminate it. Something might be worn that I can't see.
you can also bite the bullet and change over to the Borgesen ps system. All the potential problem parts go away. No control valve or piston. Love mine.
05-24-2016, 08:50 AM
Power Steering Problem (again)
Deja Vu. Saw these same pix months ago. That control valve was broken then and it's still broken now 
Help me CF! This obviously broken part is the only flaw in my power steering, but it's not why I can't turn right! 
