power steering problem
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Austin TX
power steering problem
Hey all! First time on the "tech" line. I've got a '72 with a power steering problem: I have power assist when I steer to the left, but not to the right. Anytime I steer to the right (regardless of steering wheel position), there is no power assist. I have done what the book says to bleed the system (motor running, jacked up, full-lock left, full-lock right, plenty of fluid) with no luck yet.
The engine is an early '70's Impala 350---just wondering if the pump is not putting out enough pressure? Slave cylinder? Blockage? Want to make the right decision on purchasing parts and gaining an education cost-effectively.
I've searched recent posts with no luck--thanks for the help in advance.
chris
The engine is an early '70's Impala 350---just wondering if the pump is not putting out enough pressure? Slave cylinder? Blockage? Want to make the right decision on purchasing parts and gaining an education cost-effectively.
I've searched recent posts with no luck--thanks for the help in advance.
chris
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 6
From: Sault Ste. Marie Ontario
I haven't set mine up yet and I'm no expert but it sounds like the power valve shuttle is not moving to both sides. Check to see if there is an adjustment screw or a bleed screw on the power valve that will let you set the shuttle travel.
Hopefully someone a little more knowledgable will jump in and help you out.
Hopefully someone a little more knowledgable will jump in and help you out.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 115
From: Saginaw Michigan
I am quite sure that your pump is not causing the problem. When you have a problem in one direction only, it is most likely in the control valve. (The pump doesn't know which way you are steering - a pump would cause you to have the problem in both directions.)
Jim
Jim
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 444
Likes: 0
From: Roselle IL
Sounds like a simple adjustment of the control valve may not be enough if nothing has otherwise changed (I found good instructions on this site for doing the adjustmet btw). That likely means something isn't right inside the Control Valve
FYI, I just rebuilt my control valve with $20 rebuild kit. It wasn't difficult and only took a couple of hours after getting it off the car.
FYI, I just rebuilt my control valve with $20 rebuild kit. It wasn't difficult and only took a couple of hours after getting it off the car.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Austin TX
no luck
replaced the power valve---no luck. Still no power assist to the right. I'm gonna bleed the system the way Jim says and see what happens.
Power cylinder? That doesn't seem right...pressure is pressure---it can't go one way without going the other---can it?
Jim?
thanks again---
chris
Power cylinder? That doesn't seem right...pressure is pressure---it can't go one way without going the other---can it?
Jim?
thanks again---
chris
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 444
Likes: 0
From: Roselle IL
I know little about the inside of a Power cylinder, as they are sealed units, but it would seem possible that the internal seal is blown causing power in one direction to be lost. Maybe Jim has insight here.
I would hate to tell you to replace more unnecesary parts. However, you only have a pump, a control valve, a power cylinder and hoses. As Jim says, it can't be the pump and I assume you are not leaking fluid. Assuming the replacement control valve is good, you don't have many options. Where did you get the valve? Did you exhaust all options in balancing the valve. I would definately spend more time bleeding it. Mine took 20-30 turns lock to lock and was still burping air. However, you should still have at least some jerking in both directions.
You may also want to confirm that the hoses between the control valve and power cylinder are not plugged. Disconnect both from the control valve and push the cylinder in each direction and check for fluid explusion. The force should be strong in both directions if the internal seal is good. I had a lot of sludge come out of mine when I replaced my valve.
Good luck.
I would hate to tell you to replace more unnecesary parts. However, you only have a pump, a control valve, a power cylinder and hoses. As Jim says, it can't be the pump and I assume you are not leaking fluid. Assuming the replacement control valve is good, you don't have many options. Where did you get the valve? Did you exhaust all options in balancing the valve. I would definately spend more time bleeding it. Mine took 20-30 turns lock to lock and was still burping air. However, you should still have at least some jerking in both directions.
You may also want to confirm that the hoses between the control valve and power cylinder are not plugged. Disconnect both from the control valve and push the cylinder in each direction and check for fluid explusion. The force should be strong in both directions if the internal seal is good. I had a lot of sludge come out of mine when I replaced my valve.
Good luck.
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Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
From: Glasgow, Scotland
I went for a 10 min drive yesterday, I notice after as I was parking up in the driveway, the wheel kept turning to the right, but last week I had got the valve perfectly setup for the center, so there must have still been air in system, therefore thats what put the valve off center.
My valve is leaking, therefore air must be getting in all the time
cheers
dave
My valve is leaking, therefore air must be getting in all the time
cheers
dave
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 115
From: Saginaw Michigan
The only time that you can have air entering a functioning steering system is from the low pressure side. There are cases where a low pressure fitting or hose connection actually sucks air. Sometimes the leak is so small that the smaller air molecules can get sucked in but the larger oil molecules do not leak out.
Typically a leak from the high pressure side just leaks oil out.
Jim
Typically a leak from the high pressure side just leaks oil out.
Jim
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
From: Glasgow, Scotland
Right thats me put new Control valve on for steering, and 4 new hose's for the steering system, and valve was leaking and one of the pipes
get the valve balanced up, everything works great, so either the new valve or the new pipes solved the problem
cheers
dave
get the valve balanced up, everything works great, so either the new valve or the new pipes solved the problem
cheers
dave
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 12
From: SoCal
replaced the power valve---no luck. Still no power assist to the right. I'm gonna bleed the system the way Jim says and see what happens.
Power cylinder? That doesn't seem right...pressure is pressure---it can't go one way without going the other---can it?
Jim?
thanks again---
chris
Power cylinder? That doesn't seem right...pressure is pressure---it can't go one way without going the other---can it?
Jim?
thanks again---
chris
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,993
Likes: 7
From: LaPine Oregon
To the left............
My experience has shown me that when a power control valve goes out it is always to the left.
Make sure that you flush the entire PS system every time you replace a part. Check you drained PS fluid for metal from the pump.
Make sure that you flush the entire PS system every time you replace a part. Check you drained PS fluid for metal from the pump.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 12
From: SoCal
beallstreet - did the PS flush fix your problem? I have a similar issue with my PS system (mine doesn't sound as bad as yours though, and I haven't gotten around to balancing the control valve yet) so I'm interested in what it takes to get yours working right again.