No power steering at idle??????
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,381
Likes: 416
From: N J
No power steering at idle??????
Recently converted my car to power steering and it works fine, did my friends with a rebuilt kit, but at idle the PS isnt there, A little tap on the gas and its back, till the car idles again. It drives fine. I noticed a small leak at the bottom of the pumps shaft. Could this tiny leak effect its performance at idle? The belts tight enough and the fluid is at the correct level. Any idea? the valve and cylinder are rebuilt also and there dont appair to be any restrictions with the hoses. Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,706
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
I'm pretty sure that the leak isn't the cause of your problem. If it was, the leak would get much worse as you raised the RPM and the pressure came up.
What kind of kit did you add? Was the pully on the pump and the drive pully sized for your application? This is wherre I'd look.
What kind of kit did you add? Was the pully on the pump and the drive pully sized for your application? This is wherre I'd look.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,381
Likes: 416
From: N J
Originally Posted by CA-Legal-Vette
I'm pretty sure that the leak isn't the cause of your problem. If it was, the leak would get much worse as you raised the RPM and the pressure came up.
What kind of kit did you add? Was the pully on the pump and the drive pully sized for your application? This is wherre I'd look.
What kind of kit did you add? Was the pully on the pump and the drive pully sized for your application? This is wherre I'd look.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,706
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Originally Posted by John 65
Could my problem be the valve or piston?
A thought just occured to me. Are you sure that it works fine at higher RPMs or are you moving when you do this? The reason that I ask is if you're moving then the stearing will be easier as a result. Best way I can think of to check is to leave it in park (or neutral) and try to turn the wheel at idle. Now raise the revs and try the same thing. Any easier?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,381
Likes: 416
From: N J
Originally Posted by CA-Legal-Vette
Based on the fact that it works at higher revs, I wouldn't think so. That's why I asked the question about the pulleys.
A thought just occured to me. Are you sure that it works fine at higher RPMs or are you moving when you do this? The reason that I ask is if you're moving then the stearing will be easier as a result. Best way I can think of to check is to leave it in park (or neutral) and try to turn the wheel at idle. Now raise the revs and try the same thing. Any easier?
A thought just occured to me. Are you sure that it works fine at higher RPMs or are you moving when you do this? The reason that I ask is if you're moving then the stearing will be easier as a result. Best way I can think of to check is to leave it in park (or neutral) and try to turn the wheel at idle. Now raise the revs and try the same thing. Any easier?
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,706
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
I really don't know what to say. I wouldn't think that it's a flow issue, nor do I think that pressure should be affected greatly by the RPM. I know that there is a pressure relief in the pump but I don't think that this should be affected by RPMs either. I'm hoping that by moving this to the top someone else will join in.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: GA
Food for thought
I have a 72 Ray BB with A/C and PS. My pump went out a few years ago and I purchased a quick off-the-shelf pump locally. Pump works but does exactly what you described. I realize mine was a replacement, not an upgrade, but its food for thought. I've got a "new" pump in the box I've not yet swapped.
I also have a 72 ford van (I know, I know). Anyway, it's also equiped with PS. It has the original pump which is losing its effectiveness.
Both of my cars have the same exact problem at low RPM (idle RPM)...Low pump pressure. It doesn't matter if I'm in gear or neutral. Higher RPM speeds the pump up enough to offer enough pressure.
Both vehicles need the pump replaced.
In your situation, you'd like to believe the pump is good since you just bought it. My "rebuilt" off the shelf was not good.
Also, it is possible your pump pulley is to big..yielding a slower pump speed at idle. Reducing your pulley size will increase your pump speed and "could" eliminate the problem whether or not the pump is healthy.
Either way, you have to pull the pump off. You might as well ask for another pump and check for a different pulley size at the same time.
My .02.....
hawk
I also have a 72 ford van (I know, I know). Anyway, it's also equiped with PS. It has the original pump which is losing its effectiveness.
Both of my cars have the same exact problem at low RPM (idle RPM)...Low pump pressure. It doesn't matter if I'm in gear or neutral. Higher RPM speeds the pump up enough to offer enough pressure.
Both vehicles need the pump replaced.
In your situation, you'd like to believe the pump is good since you just bought it. My "rebuilt" off the shelf was not good.
Also, it is possible your pump pulley is to big..yielding a slower pump speed at idle. Reducing your pulley size will increase your pump speed and "could" eliminate the problem whether or not the pump is healthy.
Either way, you have to pull the pump off. You might as well ask for another pump and check for a different pulley size at the same time.
My .02.....
hawk
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,381
Likes: 416
From: N J
Originally Posted by 72hawk454
I have a 72 Ray BB with A/C and PS. My pump went out a few years ago and I purchased a quick off-the-shelf pump locally. Pump works but does exactly what you described. I realize mine was a replacement, not an upgrade, but its food for thought. I've got a "new" pump in the box I've not yet swapped.
I also have a 72 ford van (I know, I know). Anyway, it's also equiped with PS. It has the original pump which is losing its effectiveness.
Both of my cars have the same exact problem at low RPM (idle RPM)...Low pump pressure. It doesn't matter if I'm in gear or neutral. Higher RPM speeds the pump up enough to offer enough pressure.
Both vehicles need the pump replaced.
In your situation, you'd like to believe the pump is good since you just bought it. My "rebuilt" off the shelf was not good.
Also, it is possible your pump pulley is to big..yielding a slower pump speed at idle. Reducing your pulley size will increase your pump speed and "could" eliminate the problem whether or not the pump is healthy.
Either way, you have to pull the pump off. You might as well ask for another pump and check for a different pulley size at the same time.
My .02.....
hawk
I also have a 72 ford van (I know, I know). Anyway, it's also equiped with PS. It has the original pump which is losing its effectiveness.
Both of my cars have the same exact problem at low RPM (idle RPM)...Low pump pressure. It doesn't matter if I'm in gear or neutral. Higher RPM speeds the pump up enough to offer enough pressure.
Both vehicles need the pump replaced.
In your situation, you'd like to believe the pump is good since you just bought it. My "rebuilt" off the shelf was not good.
Also, it is possible your pump pulley is to big..yielding a slower pump speed at idle. Reducing your pulley size will increase your pump speed and "could" eliminate the problem whether or not the pump is healthy.
Either way, you have to pull the pump off. You might as well ask for another pump and check for a different pulley size at the same time.
My .02.....
hawk
