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power steering failure

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Old Feb 23, 2020 | 09:42 AM
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Default power steering failure

I was moving my '76 in the driveway and upon turning the wheel hard left I heard a bang and lost the power steering assist.
The car was just started cold, temps around 30deg.
I checked underneath for mechanical damage and found none. Fluid level was fine, belt is tight.
In the last few years the car has had all the steering parts replaced with rebuilt units except the steering box itself is original.
I searched the forum and found a Jim Shea post stating that the pump could be damaged by a hard turn at high rpm.
I was blipping the throttle as I was maneuvering the car but I didn't consider that high rpm. And I'm not sure the power steering pump would make a banging noise.
Anyone have any ideas what could have done this, or where I should start looking?
Thanks in advance.
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Old Feb 23, 2020 | 07:27 PM
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Check the ram, I had a similar occurrence and the rod on the ram broke inside. It would work one direction, but not the other.

Donnie
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Old Feb 23, 2020 | 07:41 PM
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Get the front wheels off the ground. Block back wheels so car does not move.
Have someone help. Put car in neutral, brekes applied. Start car. Turn the steering wheel while you watch the pump.

Maybe the bang was the house cat, racoon, etc. getting caught in the fan. Well, ok maybe not.


Last edited by KenSny; Feb 23, 2020 at 07:42 PM.
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Old Feb 24, 2020 | 07:37 AM
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I agree, get it up in the air and re investigate. There was picks of the ram anchor mount ripping from the frame which could "pop" or its an internal breakage in the ram which may or may not leak.
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Old Feb 24, 2020 | 01:24 PM
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Thanks for the replies...
I'm not at home but it sounds like the agreement is that the ram or mount is most likely the culprit.
I will look at that closer during the week, No takers for the power steering pump being bad?

>Maybe the bang was the house cat, racoon, etc. getting caught in the fan
Ken my dog is missing! Could it be?!

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