Pressure testing power steering components
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 394
Likes: 0
From: Jackson, MS USA
Pressure testing power steering components
I have a power steering leak. I am pretty sure it in not the pump. I have the entire steering system out of the car. I was thinking while it was out, maybe I could diagnosis the problem. Is it possible to fill the slave cylinder with fluid, and then pressurize it with compressed air to find a leak. I was going to rig up a piece of fuel line hose on the high pressure side and just plug the low pressure side. What do you guys think. How much pressure would I need or want.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,938
Likes: 1
From: San Diego CA
Re: Pressure testing power steering components (MoneyPit)
Money Pit I am not sure if that would work but please let me know the outcome, E-mail me at doakey@antietam.navy.mil
P.S. I had just installed the PS control Valve and adjusted it out perfectly but now when I turn to the right it feels like I have non-power steering :( Turning to the left is fine. Alignment is right on with new rubber all the way around and it stays straight on the highway and in braking with no hands on the steering wheel so the adjustment button must be right on the money so I cannot figure out why it is so hard to turn to the right, any ideas?
P.S. I had just installed the PS control Valve and adjusted it out perfectly but now when I turn to the right it feels like I have non-power steering :( Turning to the left is fine. Alignment is right on with new rubber all the way around and it stays straight on the highway and in braking with no hands on the steering wheel so the adjustment button must be right on the money so I cannot figure out why it is so hard to turn to the right, any ideas?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 394
Likes: 0
From: Jackson, MS USA
Re: Pressure testing power steering components (Cali,77,L-82)
ttt
I posted this last night so some of you guys may have already retired. does anyone think pressure testing the control valve and slave will work. ....Chuck
I posted this last night so some of you guys may have already retired. does anyone think pressure testing the control valve and slave will work. ....Chuck
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Re: Pressure testing power steering components (MoneyPit)
Actually pressure checking hydraulic equipment with air is not a bad idea. In fact, air will try to escape through minute cracks, bad seal lips, etc much faster than oil will escape. The oil in your power steering system can reach 1000 psi when you steer into full lock. You never want to play around with air at that pressure. But air at 100 psi should still give you a good indication of a leak. It wouldn't hurt to either immerse the component in water or coat the component with soapy water and look for air bubbles while you are pressurizing it.
I can only suggest that Cali,77,L-82 try and readjust his control valve. The adjustment procedure should be able to correct a badly balanced valve.
I can only suggest that Cali,77,L-82 try and readjust his control valve. The adjustment procedure should be able to correct a badly balanced valve.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 394
Likes: 0
From: Jackson, MS USA
Re: Pressure testing power steering components (Jim Shea)
Jim,
Thanks for the reply. I was not thinking of submersing the components, but that is a great idea. I have a mixing tub I picked up at HomeDepot that should do the trick. I am thinking of taking a length of metal fuel line or some other comperable tube and flaring it so that I can use hose clamps. I was going to plug the low pressure side with something solid and a hose clamp. My thought was to hook up the high pressure side to the air with the metal fuel line, and "gently" increase pressure to until I saw fluid. Now I will look for bubbles. It will be a couple of weeks before I can go back to my project, but I will let you know how it comes out.
Thanks for the reply. I was not thinking of submersing the components, but that is a great idea. I have a mixing tub I picked up at HomeDepot that should do the trick. I am thinking of taking a length of metal fuel line or some other comperable tube and flaring it so that I can use hose clamps. I was going to plug the low pressure side with something solid and a hose clamp. My thought was to hook up the high pressure side to the air with the metal fuel line, and "gently" increase pressure to until I saw fluid. Now I will look for bubbles. It will be a couple of weeks before I can go back to my project, but I will let you know how it comes out.
