Not my area of expertise.....but a rather frustrating issue.

I did an exchange a couple years ago with a reputable vendor for a rebuilt power steering unit including the valve.

Well, I drove the car yesterday and everything went great. Ran like the beast it is. I made a couple minor lash adjustments on the steering box to loosen it up a bit and then put the car in the garage.

Woke up this morning to a huge puddle of PS fluid on the floor and fluid Drip drip drip drip dripping from a PSCV with less then 5o miles on it.

I was able to find a repair kit at Advance Auto that only has the seals for $12:00. I believe one of them is obviously blown out.

Any suggestions on which seal to look at?

Does the entire thing have to be torn down?

Can I just do the six seals...anything possible while on the car?

 

read/ watch these links


http://community-2.webtv.net/MATTGRU/Quickwaytoreseal/

 

Wow.....that is exactly what I need.

This forum is great!!!!

Thanks for the link

 

Stop right there.

I had exactly the same issue with mine (not even 8 weeks ago), and the same circumstances (new PS control valve). It was a blown return hose, yet at first, I blamed the PSCV. Those replacement hoses are junk, and very weak. Mine had split up high, and was pouring down the hose. It looked exactly like the PSCV had blown a seal.

Jack the car up on stands, and move the steering manually left-right. You'll pump up the ram and quickly see where it is leaking.

I hope you have a nice surprise like me! $3 later and fixed.

 

I patched my PSCV up two times before I gave up and went with the Borgeson option. I have a detailed thread on it if you get fed up with the PSCV constantly leaking.

 

I tell you, something is going to have to give.

I'm beginning to think that black cloud over my head is PSCV.

So this thing is a BRAND NEW rebuild from a reputable vendor. Made in America, Gates hoses, first class. Has less than 100 miles on it.

Went out to go to work with it, and under the car is a huge puddle of Power Steering fluid.

I traced it to the PSCV.


To make a long story longer, I got a rebuild kit from Advance Auto. Took it apart on the car without removing the ball stud since all this is NEW.

Well, guess what? The O ring surrounding the main body was broken. A small roll of it had not been in the groove when it was torqued together.




No problemo. I got it apart and back together. Crawled under with a flashlight to make sure that all the surfaces were flush like they are supposed to be and then torqued the nuts to 60 lbs.

I then started the car to adjust the valve. All was going fine until suddenly, and I mean suddenly, like an explosion, hot power steering fluid spewed into my face and all over.






The fluid was under pressure and went everywhere, there was a ring of fluid as it came out around the ball joint and where the two halves meet.

This time I took the whole valve off, and took it apart on my bench. Low and behold, a huge chunk of the seal on the big ring was blown off.






Well, I went back to Advance Auto, and they are making good on the kit. I get a new one tomorrow.

But any ideas what is causing this?

 

I will tell you, this power steering valve is one POS.

I rebuilt it agin, and I am absolutely positive it is correct.

I started the car and it instantly spewed hot power steering fluid from under the ball joint.

I am going manual and convert this to a a Borgeson as money becomes available.

 

You just pinched the seal when you installed it. Build it right and it will work.

 

yes, I thought I might have done that the first time, so I was really careful the second time and took it all the way out and rebuilt it on the bench.

There were a lot of rust spots on the interior parts, including the valve. I honestly believe that is what is causing this. I cleaned them all up and replaced what I could, but was still rewarded with a face full of hot power steering fluid the second time.

I have always just replaced these valves in the past. And this is what I did this time.

The steering isn't all that hot anyway. In fact, it kind of sucks. I have all new bushings and ball joints, rebuilt box, new piston, etc. It's all new.

I have been scouring the net for a good deal on a Borgeson box and found this site and ordered the kit. Hey, that's what plastic is for right?


http://mudflaps.com/i-9745314-borges...FcJj7Aodxy8APA

 

Sounds like the seal was in backwards.

 

I tell ya, I always worry about stuff like that. I have definitely done bonehead things like that before, but not this time unless the link is wrong.

I did this valve twice. The second time I was totally **** about it.

I printed these instructions and followed them exactly. Even have them down next to the valve in my shop.

Check picture 43. This is exactly how I did the valve. Could this be wrong?

http://www.cssbinc.com/images/ads/ho...structions.pdf

 

Some of those parts looked pretty pitted from old age. Some strength was definitely compromised but hey, third time is the charm .
I'm watching this close because I know my time is coming soon to tear into the control valve and lines...

 

The main power piston, steering box and lines are all new. It is only the valve I seem to be having trouble with.

I will make you a great deal on this stuff if you are interested. I ordered a Borgeson box.

PM me and I'll send you pics and whatever.

 

I dont see anything wrong with the instructions, but I build it inside the head unit. Much easier to keep it stacked up correctly.