new steering valve leaking......................

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Feb 6, 2009 | 06:25 PM

markey mark

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Intermediate

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new steering valve leaking......................

Put all new steering parts on my 75. New hoses and rebuilt valve and cylinder. Just been sittin'in the garage 'cause it's like 15 here with about 2 ft of snow. Noticed an oil slick under the car and the steering valve was coated with oil. Looked like it was the small hose, the pressure one so I tightened it up and cleaned off the oil. Next day it was worse. I took both hoses off and let them drain. Gonna take a good look at the this weekend. Sure looked good the first time. I'm think'in about using some LOCKTITE on the fitting if I have too, or maybe some copper flare sealing gaskets. Any input would be helpfull. Thanks in advance.

Gonna be 50 here this weekend. Not quite convertible weather tho, maybe just shorts and a t-shirt.

Feb 6, 2009 | 06:48 PM

GTR1999

Tech Contributor

Joined: Aug 1999

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From: Connecticut, USA

A lot of the aftermarket hoses are short and the radius is off. If you don't get them seated just right they'll leak.

Feb 6, 2009 | 08:47 PM

jsholm2

Instructor

Joined: Feb 2008

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Just a thought..... I had the same type of problem and I think it was the power steering pump that I had to replace. I went ahead and added new hoses. Hope this helps.

Feb 6, 2009 | 11:43 PM

Z51JEFF

Race Director

Joined: Dec 2003

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From: Fremont Ca

2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified

Ive got a 64 Nova that uses the same basic system and with new hoses-lines one of the hard lines was leaking at the hose crimp.This is the line form the cylinder to the valve.

Feb 7, 2009 | 12:04 AM

Ironcross

Race Director

Joined: Nov 2002

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From: Taylor Michigan

Two types of control valves, one uses a 'O' ring on the hose and the other earlier models are just regular flare nuts. Most companies serving the Auto Part stores are direct fit, no

applications

the cylinder must match the hoses

Last edited by Ironcross; Feb 7, 2009 at 12:06 AM.

Feb 7, 2009 | 06:02 AM

7T1vette

Team Owner

Joined: Jan 2006

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From: Crossville TN

You also do not want to overtighten the hose fittings. They are meant to seal with specified torque applied. If they are overtorqued [very much], you can damage the tubing seats or even damage the threads/housing. This is a case where "tighter" is not necessarily good.

Feb 7, 2009 | 09:20 AM

Jim Shea

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jul 2000

Posts: 6,001

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From: Saginaw Michigan

Spend some time determining exactly where the leak is occuring.

If you think that the leak is at the connection of the hoses to the control valve, here are some inspection tips:

All control valves had 45 degree flare fittings. Within reason, the tighter the connection, the better it seals.

With the hose removed, you should be able to look into the valve port and see a circular indentation where the hose tubing flare seats. The indentation should be completely around the seat. If the hose flare does not seat completely against the seat in the valve, there will be a leak path. If the oil gets past the seat it is impossible to keep if from seaping up the nut threads and/or seaping up past the nut to flare interface and leaking.

Carefully look at the flare on the hose tubing. Look for a possible crack in the flare that could be a leak path.

Look carefully at the control valve boss where the port is machined. It is possible that the casting could be cracked.

Jim

Feb 7, 2009 | 09:28 PM

68AIR

Burning Brakes

Joined: May 2006

Posts: 763

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From: FBO Florida

I agree and would add many times it is the high pressure hose from the pump to the control valve. The low pressure side rarely leaks. Since it is above the valve it leaks down on it causing confusion as to the source of the leak.

Last edited by 68AIR; Feb 7, 2009 at 09:31 PM.