PS Pump Grind on maximum left.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 209
Likes: 1
From: Denver CO
PS Pump Grind on maximum left.
Hi, haven't been on in a while my C3 has been working beautifully every day but I recently noticed a new "noise." On a far left turn Just before the wheels hit the stop the power steering pump seems to grind.
Some background info: I have a brand new power steering pump, not rebuilt, with brand new lines going to a brand new control valve. Only the ram is original but it has no leaks and works fine. After installing and filling the system I unhooked the ram from the rack and worked all the air out of the system.
What I suspect: I did NOT balance the control valve because the warranty info specifically said that if I remove the cap for the adjuster then the warranty is voided. I suspect that it is not properly balanced because this "grinding" does not occur on a right turn to the stop.
Why would a company make the warranty void if you adjust the balance? That seems exceptionally bizarre unless they are so extremely confident in their pre-balancing of the control valve. Any thoughts?
Some background info: I have a brand new power steering pump, not rebuilt, with brand new lines going to a brand new control valve. Only the ram is original but it has no leaks and works fine. After installing and filling the system I unhooked the ram from the rack and worked all the air out of the system.
What I suspect: I did NOT balance the control valve because the warranty info specifically said that if I remove the cap for the adjuster then the warranty is voided. I suspect that it is not properly balanced because this "grinding" does not occur on a right turn to the stop.
Why would a company make the warranty void if you adjust the balance? That seems exceptionally bizarre unless they are so extremely confident in their pre-balancing of the control valve. Any thoughts?
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
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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
Put the front of the car up on jack stands. Start the car and see if the wheels make any kind of motion to the left or right. This should tell you if the valve is centered well enough.
If you want to go further you could remove the wheels, break the ram loose of its end point mount and then start the car and see if the rams stays put. If it moves one way or the other, then it is time to remove the cap and center the valve.
It has been quite a while since I have performed the centering of the valve so if I am wrong someone please correct me or add to this to make it correct.
If you want to go further you could remove the wheels, break the ram loose of its end point mount and then start the car and see if the rams stays put. If it moves one way or the other, then it is time to remove the cap and center the valve.
It has been quite a while since I have performed the centering of the valve so if I am wrong someone please correct me or add to this to make it correct.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
At any point in the range of steering motion, the P/S system can achieve equilibrium except at the extremes of the range (on either side). It doesn't really "grind", it just 'deadheads' the pump because it continuously calls for more pressure (even though it's giving its "all"). This is a normal behavior of the C3 P/S system. To prevent that noise...don't take it all the way to the stop in either direction.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 209
Likes: 1
From: Denver CO
