I wasn't aware that there was a pressure relief valve on a PSCV. Have you got a photo that shows this fitting?

 

If you are talking about a leak from the standard grease nipple that sometimes placed in the bottom of the PSCV instead of a plug then you have a leaking internal seal that will have to be replaced. People will try and grease that nipple when doing regular maintenance and the grease displaces the internal seal causing a leak. Or the seal has just worn out.

 

Yes that is where the leak is. I am trying to post a pic but having no luck right now. So me being a novice i have to ask why would they put a grease fitting where a plug should be? If I go to Ecklers website and look at a refurbed valve i noticed they also have a grease fitting and not a plug. This makes no sense if the fitting has no function. So since my power steering seems to work fine can't i just try to put in the plug instead of replacing the seal or valve? Would you know the size of the plug and where i can order?

 

I believe the fitting is there for an initial grease application by the valve manufacturer or rebuilder. I'm sure you can get the appropriate plug at any auto parts store but if the fitting is leaking PS fluid I'm afraid that may be an indication that the internal seal is compromised.

 

There is a limited amount of grease used on the valve initially then some of the rebuilders just leave the nipple in instead of removing it and installing a plug. If you want to try a plug take the nipple to the parts store and get the same size plug but the internal seal will still be compromised as said above. You are getting power steering fluid out of the nipple and not grease. By leaving that nipple in rebuilders not only save on labor but then get to re-build a whole bunch more pscv's because people think that if it's a grease fitting, you should grease it.

 

 

YES...if you are getting power steering fluid out of the grease fitting...your PSCV has problems.

If you plug it. Count on it...the power steering fluid will emulsify the grease in your control valve and begin to come out of the rubber boot by your pitman arm connection.


Here as of late. I have stopped installing rebuilt PSCV's due to the past three I did leaked the instant I got fluid in them. I only install new ones now. Hopefully you ahve better luck than I have had if you go with the rebuilt units.

I do not know what has changed...but the past 30 years. I have installed countless PSCV's and they never leaked...now...they seem to do it right away or about in a month or so.

Heck..I might need to start rebuilding them like I did long time ago.

DUB

 

rebuild it yourself.. Don't rely on the cheapo rebuilt valves, the most common problem we see with them is the main piston seal gets cut during installation... Which sounds a bit like your problem. When the main piston seal fails it'll leak between the halves, and out the grease fitting.....

So get the rebuild kit and follow the video below.

Power Steering Cylinder Rebuid video


Willcox

 

Read the OP again he did say he was going with new rather than rebuilt.

 

I got that.

I was only commenting so if those who read this who may be on the fence on gettign anew one or rebuilding their own...it is up to them. BUT I knwo I will not buy a rebuilt one ever again.

ALSO...because I HAVE experienced different control valves that are out there that are NEW.

And I can say from FIRST HAND experience...just be careful...and there is really no way you will know this until you buy one. And that is that when you are 'balancing' the control valve as outlined in the service manual. I know that the the amount of of turn that 'normally' is used to make the piston go IN out OUT is about 20m minutes on the clock. BUT..I have dealt with some of these new control valves that the amount of turn on the nut is about 3 minutes...IF THAT. So balancing the control valve is really really sensitive.

Because...if the control valve is NOT balanced...when driving down the road...the wheels can turn due to the control valve not being balanced and actually moving the piston in the cylinder....which...thus effects your steering.

NOW...an incorrectly balanced control valve will more than likely NOT cause the wheels to turn when the car is sitting still and the engine running...but when the wheels are rolling....they can turn....which ALSO depends on the severity of how far off the balancing actually is.

I can not tell you on how many Corvettes have come into my shop that just had a good alignment on it and they still have a problem with the car pulling to the left or right and all it was was the control valve needed to be balanced.

DUB

 

I read that... but it's always better to rebuild the original than to replace with new.... Or purchase a rebuilt valve from a reliable source.

Why..

I'll tell you why, I can buy the new valves for 50.00 plus shipping if I buy them 100 at a time... But they come from China...

They sent us some samples to install... Guess what, both were junk. The piston seal on one was cut during installation and we had to rebuild the new valve just to make it work. On the second one they left the relief bearing out of the main housing.... (there isn't a fix for this).

So, my advice and IMHO.... rebuild the original valves or buy one from someone that is reputable.

Willcox