power steering help needed

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Nov 2, 2008 | 01:01 PM

76projectstingray

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 245

Likes: 2

From: Jersey shore NJ

power steering help needed

I have finally got my car on the road after almost a year of working on the suspension and brakes. My power steering is not working. How Can I tell if its the pump or the control Valve? I don't want to just start buying parts and replacing everything. I do have fluid in the pump!

Thanks for any replies.

Nov 2, 2008 | 01:35 PM

1ronaldo

6th Gear

Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 6

Likes: 0

Quote:

Originally Posted by 76projectstingray

Hi, I recognize the matter since I also replaced first hoses, then controll valve as link ball was worn, next I reworked the pump but no improvement. After I replaced the cylinder my power steering worked well. A worn pump generally is noisy. I think I could have checked the cylinder by draining the oil and plugging the ports. If you then can move the piston by hand easely from one side to the other the internal seal is worn. As the cylinder is welded you cannot replace the seal but exchange units are available

Good luck,

Ron

Nov 2, 2008 | 04:17 PM

markdtn

Le Mans Master

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 7,720

Likes: 12

From: Chattanooga TN

If you have a way to plumb in a pressure gauge you could see if the pump has pressure. It may "pump" just turning it over, but may not be building pressure. If I was in your shoes, I would just give up on the original system and change to the "Jeep box" from Corvette Steering. Get a new pump and be done with it.

Nov 2, 2008 | 09:42 PM

7T1vette

Team Owner

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 37,637

Likes: 3,118

From: Crossville TN

The cylinder can't really be the problem unless it is binding up due to a bent piston rod, etc. I agree that you should be able to plumb a pressure gauge in the system to see if the pump is generating pressure. Of course, you will have to turn the wheel to one side or the other for the pump to build max. pressure. The most likely prospects are: 1) low on fluid; 2) control valve needs to be rebuilt. {I just redid mine. The only thing you have to be careful of is being sure of the order of parts for reassembly.}

Nov 2, 2008 | 09:44 PM

7T1vette

Team Owner

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 37,637

Likes: 3,118

From: Crossville TN

P.S. If the control valve is not working properly, it will not "call" for increased pressure from the pump...so a pressure gauge alone will not help you detect which is the problem.

Nov 3, 2008 | 07:21 AM

Fonz69

Pro

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 688

Likes: 1

From: Stevens Point WI

I am looking at excessive play in my pscv, everything else is new or rebuilt.

Had it on the rack Saturday and mechanic pointed out slop where the ball of the pscv sits in the unit (side to side)

Anyone have a link to good way to test or rebuild these?

Nov 3, 2008 | 07:21 AM

Jim Shea

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jul 2000

Posts: 6,001

Likes: 113

From: Saginaw Michigan

One type of pump failure is for the driveshaft to break inside the pump. The belt and pulley will keep the driveshaft in place but the spinning pulley and driveshaft won't be doing anything. Remove the belt from the pump pulley. There should be about 1/8 inch of in-out play of the pulley/driveshaft with the belt removed. If the driveshaft is broken, the pulley and what remains of the driveshaft can be pulled right out of the pump and the pump needs to be replaced.

Jim

Nov 3, 2008 | 06:08 PM