newly rebuilt power steering not working?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Austin Tx
newly rebuilt power steering not working?
Not sure where to start need a little help.
I pulled the front suspension off of my 74 and rebuilt everything including the power steering. The pump, hoses, ram, and valve are new. Belt is on. I filled the reservoir and turned the steering wheel lock to lock several times to work out some of the bubbles. Let it sit and turned it some more. I finally got the car started and the power steering is not working, it's obvious because my C2 is easier to turn the wheel than this.
Seems pretty straight forward. Is there some trick I am missing? Could I possible have the hoses reversed? The nuts are different sizes if I remember?
I have read some threads on the steering wheel forcefully turning at start up after being completely rebuilt. I was expecting this, but it didn't happen.
Thank you in advance.
I pulled the front suspension off of my 74 and rebuilt everything including the power steering. The pump, hoses, ram, and valve are new. Belt is on. I filled the reservoir and turned the steering wheel lock to lock several times to work out some of the bubbles. Let it sit and turned it some more. I finally got the car started and the power steering is not working, it's obvious because my C2 is easier to turn the wheel than this.
Seems pretty straight forward. Is there some trick I am missing? Could I possible have the hoses reversed? The nuts are different sizes if I remember?
I have read some threads on the steering wheel forcefully turning at start up after being completely rebuilt. I was expecting this, but it didn't happen.
Thank you in advance.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
You did not mention it but after turning the wheel side to side, did you refill the reservoir? If you started the car and tried this I am sure you aerated the fluid. Let it set for a few hours and then check the level and add to it as necessary. At this point you may want to turn it lock to lock again a few times with the engine off, then recheck the fluid.
Also, did you cross the hoses from the valve to the ram like they are supposed to be?
Also, did you cross the hoses from the valve to the ram like they are supposed to be?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Lansdale 19446 PA
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '10-'11, '15, '19
Two things come to mind
A. Make sure the hoses are installed correctly
B. Center the control valve.
I failed to center the control valve on my 76 last year & it was more like driving manual steering.
John
A. Make sure the hoses are installed correctly
B. Center the control valve.
I failed to center the control valve on my 76 last year & it was more like driving manual steering.
John
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
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From: Saginaw Michigan
I think that you still have air in the system. When you start with all new components; pump, hoses, control valve, and assist cylinder there are a lot of air (rather than oil) in a lot of places within the system. Try a few more engine off, front wheels off the ground, full lock to lock steering wheel rotations.
If you reversed the valve to assist cylinder hoses you will get some god-awfull shuddering movement of the steering system. The steering wheel trying to turn one way, while the control valve supplies oil in the opposite direction.
If you have assist in one direction but not the other, then your control valve needs to be adjusted and rebalanced.
Jim
If you reversed the valve to assist cylinder hoses you will get some god-awfull shuddering movement of the steering system. The steering wheel trying to turn one way, while the control valve supplies oil in the opposite direction.
If you have assist in one direction but not the other, then your control valve needs to be adjusted and rebalanced.
Jim
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Crossville TN
If you purge & balance the system properly and still have a problem, the control valve is where to focus your attention. If it is a 'new' rebuilt unit, it is likely defective; rebuilders rarely test their work anymore [they let us do that in our cars]. If you did the rebuild, you may have made an assembly or installation error somewhere along the line. If you can't find an obvious cause for your problem, you'll have to get a pressure gauge and lines to see if the pump is functional. If the pump works, it almost has to be the control valve causing your problem.
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From: Austin Tx
Thanks. That should get me started.
I was pretty sure I got most of the air out, but without bleeding it I can't be sure.
I'll try some more lock to lock turns with the wheels up. If that doesn't work I am thinking the power steering pump may not be working. Hopefully, I'll find some time tomorrow to work on this.
I was pretty sure I got most of the air out, but without bleeding it I can't be sure.
I'll try some more lock to lock turns with the wheels up. If that doesn't work I am thinking the power steering pump may not be working. Hopefully, I'll find some time tomorrow to work on this.
