Power steering question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 896
Likes: 1
From: Thomasville, home of the Big Chair NC
Power steering question
I have just replaced my power steering main valve on my 72 for the second time. The slave cylinder is new and so are all of the hoses.
Is it possible to hook up the hoses from the slave cylinder to the power steering valve backward? if so, what are the consequences. Will it blow the seals in the main valve? I know the lines are crossed at the valve, but I dont know if they are right on the cylinder.
I noticed a bunch of fluid pouring out of the car just now. Cant seem to find the leak, it could be coming out the top of the pump, as I could have gotten too much fluid in it upon start up.
It steers fine, maybe just paranoia, but I really need some insight on this one.
Thanks.
Is it possible to hook up the hoses from the slave cylinder to the power steering valve backward? if so, what are the consequences. Will it blow the seals in the main valve? I know the lines are crossed at the valve, but I dont know if they are right on the cylinder.
I noticed a bunch of fluid pouring out of the car just now. Cant seem to find the leak, it could be coming out the top of the pump, as I could have gotten too much fluid in it upon start up.
It steers fine, maybe just paranoia, but I really need some insight on this one.
Thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
I have just replaced my power steering main valve on my 72 for the second time. The slave cylinder is new and so are all of the hoses.
Is it possible to hook up the hoses from the slave cylinder to the power steering valve backward? if so, what are the consequences. Will it blow the seals in the main valve? I know the lines are crossed at the valve, but I dont know if they are right on the cylinder.
I noticed a bunch of fluid pouring out of the car just now. Cant seem to find the leak, it could be coming out the top of the pump, as I could have gotten too much fluid in it upon start up.
It steers fine, maybe just paranoia, but I really need some insight on this one.
Thanks.
Is it possible to hook up the hoses from the slave cylinder to the power steering valve backward? if so, what are the consequences. Will it blow the seals in the main valve? I know the lines are crossed at the valve, but I dont know if they are right on the cylinder.
I noticed a bunch of fluid pouring out of the car just now. Cant seem to find the leak, it could be coming out the top of the pump, as I could have gotten too much fluid in it upon start up.
It steers fine, maybe just paranoia, but I really need some insight on this one.
Thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
You want to get as much air out of the system as possible BEFORE starting your engine. Jack up the front wheels and turn your steering wheel full lock to full lock a couple dozen times before starting your engine. Check the fluid level periodically and refill as necessary.
Then drop the car down, start the engine and turn the steering wheel full lock to full lock a couple times. (Don't hold it at full lock for more than a few seconds!) Check the fluid level one more time and go for a short 10 mile drive. Things should be good to go.
If you have already started your engine, without doing the above procedure, you may find that the fluid is milky or foaming. That is because large quatities of air have passed through the power steering pump and have been whipped with the power steering oil and caused it to foam. Foam takes up a lot more space than pure power steering fluid. That is why you may find fluid coming out the reservoir cap.
If you have a foaming condition. Let the car sit overnight. Use the procedure that I just described before starting the engine the next day. After the procedure you may still have a small amount of air left, but it will work its way out fairly quickly.
I also recommend using genuine GM power steering fluid. It was specifically designed to operate with the Saginaw power steering pump. I also has good antifoaming properties.
Jim
Then drop the car down, start the engine and turn the steering wheel full lock to full lock a couple times. (Don't hold it at full lock for more than a few seconds!) Check the fluid level one more time and go for a short 10 mile drive. Things should be good to go.
If you have already started your engine, without doing the above procedure, you may find that the fluid is milky or foaming. That is because large quatities of air have passed through the power steering pump and have been whipped with the power steering oil and caused it to foam. Foam takes up a lot more space than pure power steering fluid. That is why you may find fluid coming out the reservoir cap.
If you have a foaming condition. Let the car sit overnight. Use the procedure that I just described before starting the engine the next day. After the procedure you may still have a small amount of air left, but it will work its way out fairly quickly.
I also recommend using genuine GM power steering fluid. It was specifically designed to operate with the Saginaw power steering pump. I also has good antifoaming properties.
Jim
