Power steering problem
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,202
Likes: 434
From: Loir Valley Sarthe, France
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I'm finally able to work on this again.
I ordered a repair kit from Ecklers, watched a couple of videos and read a couple of PDFs and jumped into it today. I was able to follow the instructions along pretty well until I needed to pull the ball socket sleeve. It doesn't budge. It looks like it is supposed to slide out after the retaining piece is unscrewed from the top but it doesn't. It doesn't move at all.
Am I missing something???
Also, as I'm pulling it apart I can see that it is really dirty inside. The oil in it actually has grit in it. I'm planning to try to flush the whole system before reinstalling the valve.
I ordered a repair kit from Ecklers, watched a couple of videos and read a couple of PDFs and jumped into it today. I was able to follow the instructions along pretty well until I needed to pull the ball socket sleeve. It doesn't budge. It looks like it is supposed to slide out after the retaining piece is unscrewed from the top but it doesn't. It doesn't move at all.
Am I missing something???
Also, as I'm pulling it apart I can see that it is really dirty inside. The oil in it actually has grit in it. I'm planning to try to flush the whole system before reinstalling the valve.
Incidentally, I don't know what you have already read, but I watched the Wilcox video, but also rad these instructions, which I found almost more useful:
http://www.cssbinc.com/images/ads/ho...structions.pdf
Sounds like the rubber boot may have failed, and/or the seals.
Last edited by Stephen Irons; Nov 8, 2021 at 05:16 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 166
Likes: 8
From: Acworth GA
If the "Adapter sleeve" is jammed in the valve body, that's your problem. That sleeve (the ball end of the stud goes into it) is what controls the actual power assistance. It needs to slide in the body to do that. You'll need to get that out of the body and clean it thoroughly. Ideally, get a new one, but last time I looked the "full" rebuild kit was not available.
Incidentally, I don't know what you have already read, but I watched the Wilcox video, but also rad these instructions, which I found almost more useful:
http://www.cssbinc.com/images/ads/ho...structions.pdf
Sounds like the rubber boot may have failed, and/or the seals.
Incidentally, I don't know what you have already read, but I watched the Wilcox video, but also rad these instructions, which I found almost more useful:
http://www.cssbinc.com/images/ads/ho...structions.pdf
Sounds like the rubber boot may have failed, and/or the seals.
In the video, he slides the Adapter sleeve or ball stud cage, as it's called in the PDF, into the housing very easily. Since my sleeve does not move I thought that maybe it was threaded into the housing, but after figuring out the principle of the valve, I can see that it must slide easily or, like mine, it won't work at all. I left it soaking over night and will probably leave it all day. If it does not come out easily, and with the close tolerances that seem to be involved, I'm afraid that I'll destroy it trying to get it out. So, I'm pretty sure I'll end up buying a new complete unit.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,202
Likes: 434
From: Loir Valley Sarthe, France
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Yes, when I rebuilt mine, the "cage" was a little difficult to remove, it moved, but wasn't keen to come out! But some very careful cleaning and judicious use of fine "wet & dry" and it was a nice fit, no slack, but it slide in and out easily. Hopefully you'll will become free.....
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 166
Likes: 8
From: Acworth GA
Yes, when I rebuilt mine, the "cage" was a little difficult to remove, it moved, but wasn't keen to come out! But some very careful cleaning and judicious use of fine "wet & dry" and it was a nice fit, no slack, but it slide in and out easily. Hopefully you'll will become free.....
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 166
Likes: 8
From: Acworth GA
Follow up-----
The old unit was virtually destroyed and useless, so I bought a new one. I had to drive the sleeve out with a hammer and large drift. There were very few parts that could be salvaged, but I did save a few in my "this could come in handy" drawer.
The old unit was virtually destroyed and useless, so I bought a new one. I had to drive the sleeve out with a hammer and large drift. There were very few parts that could be salvaged, but I did save a few in my "this could come in handy" drawer.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,151
Likes: 7,765
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Well, that took awhile. but glad to hear your car is fixed.
Hopefully you got the wheel straight this time.
Hopefully you got the wheel straight this time.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 166
Likes: 8
From: Acworth GA
I didn't get the wheel straight. I went in one too many turns and I'm not going to pull it apart and back it out one. I'll take it like it is....not leaking and working.
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Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,151
Likes: 7,765
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Tie rods can be adjusted to compensate and center your wheel.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
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From: Cool Northern Michigan
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 805
Likes: 260
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,151
Likes: 7,765
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Then take it to an alignment shop and have them adjust the tie rods to straighten the wheel.
Seriously, if you turn one a quarter turn in and the other a quarter turn out your not going to mess it up!