Paging Jim Shea
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,962
Likes: 1
From: Topeka-Pothole capital of the universe
Paging Jim Shea
Suddenly, my 78 started acting as if there is no power steering when
turning to the right. Everything is fine when turning to the left.
I added a little PS fluid and that seemed to help a little. It still seems
stiff when turning to the right. (I did not bleed the PS).
Does this seem like a control valve problem or a steering cylinder?
Is there a way I can test these components?
Thanks for your help!!!
turning to the right. Everything is fine when turning to the left.
I added a little PS fluid and that seemed to help a little. It still seems
stiff when turning to the right. (I did not bleed the PS).
Does this seem like a control valve problem or a steering cylinder?
Is there a way I can test these components?
Thanks for your help!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Re: Paging Jim Shea (TFeld78)
If you run low of power steering fluid you can ingest air and strange things can happen. First of all, why are you low on fluid?
1). Fluid hasn't been checked in years?
2). Otherwise, there should be a puddle on the floor or there should be power steering fluid coating a lot of underhood components.
If the system is leaking fluid, you need to find the source of the leak. Hoses? Connections? Pump Seals? Control Valve? Assist Cylinder?
There aren't too many things that can go wrong with the cylinder. It can drip on the floor if the shaft seal wears out. If the piston seal inside the cylinder wears out you would think that it would leak side to side regardless which way you were turning. In other words, steering would get harder both directions.
The pump also doesn't know which way you are turning. So it can't be the pump.
That leaves the control valve or air in the system.
I don't know any way to check the individual components.
1). Fluid hasn't been checked in years?
2). Otherwise, there should be a puddle on the floor or there should be power steering fluid coating a lot of underhood components.
If the system is leaking fluid, you need to find the source of the leak. Hoses? Connections? Pump Seals? Control Valve? Assist Cylinder?
There aren't too many things that can go wrong with the cylinder. It can drip on the floor if the shaft seal wears out. If the piston seal inside the cylinder wears out you would think that it would leak side to side regardless which way you were turning. In other words, steering would get harder both directions.
The pump also doesn't know which way you are turning. So it can't be the pump.
That leaves the control valve or air in the system.
I don't know any way to check the individual components.
