Power steer probs
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: New Zealand
Power steer probs
Have a 78 trying to get on the road here in New ZEaland for a customer. Arrived whole car in bits, but slowly got it all together and running BUT power steer at low speed only works to the right not left. I have rebuilt ram and control valve, centred steering with adjuster nut on control valve, put another ram and valve from one of my other cars, checked all hoses etc. only thing i have not done is the power steer pump.
Is this going to be it??
Is this going to be it??
Racer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 495
Likes: 0
From: ma
Re: Power steer probs (Geoff H)
You might have air in the lines,with the car off the ground try turning the wheel lock to lock to purge the air out. Or the hoses might be on the reverse of what they should be{not a hard thing to do!]
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: New Zealand
Re: Power steer probs (Geoff H)
Thanks. tried that, purging, having 4 cars at the same time i have checked lines twice to make sure all hoses are fitted right.
handy to have another to look at but still no luck.
I have done prob 30 p/s overhauls and never a prob
handy to have another to look at but still no luck.
I have done prob 30 p/s overhauls and never a prob
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Re: Power steer probs (Geoff H)
You have me stumped too. But I will tell you one thing, the power steering pump doesn't know or care which direction you are steering. If the pump has problems you will hear or feel the problem in right turn as well as left.
Have you swapped the valve to cylinder hoses from car to car. They are the only unique right turn versus left turn parts that you haven't swapped.
The pressure hose from pump to valve and the return hose (valve to reservoir) are common for either direction that you try to steer so the pump and these two hoses have to be discounted from the problem.
[Modified by Jim Shea, 10:01 PM 5/3/2003]
Have you swapped the valve to cylinder hoses from car to car. They are the only unique right turn versus left turn parts that you haven't swapped.
The pressure hose from pump to valve and the return hose (valve to reservoir) are common for either direction that you try to steer so the pump and these two hoses have to be discounted from the problem.
[Modified by Jim Shea, 10:01 PM 5/3/2003]
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: New Zealand
Re: Power steer probs (Jim Shea)
Thanks for the info. that is the reason i havent changed the pump coz you r right it doesnt know or care which way u go.
Checked all hoses, havent swapped them but pulled off and blew thru with compressed air, seem fine so ???????? what next???
Checked all hoses, havent swapped them but pulled off and blew thru with compressed air, seem fine so ???????? what next???
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Re: Power steer probs (Geoff H)
It's hard to believe that your assist cylinder would have a massive internal leak in one direction and not the other. So, we are back to the control
valve(s) as the culprit(s).
BTW, when you swapped a control valve from a "good" Vette into the "bad" car, the problem still remained in the "bad" car. Did you try putting the control valve from the "bad" system into the "good" Vette? Did the "good" Vette remain "good"?
I have never heard of a ball joint or linkage joint that only was stiff in one direction. I have never heard of a steering column that only would turn freely in one direction and not the other. Is your right arm much stronger than your left?
:rolleyes: :confused: :eek: :( :nonod:
valve(s) as the culprit(s).
BTW, when you swapped a control valve from a "good" Vette into the "bad" car, the problem still remained in the "bad" car. Did you try putting the control valve from the "bad" system into the "good" Vette? Did the "good" Vette remain "good"?
I have never heard of a ball joint or linkage joint that only was stiff in one direction. I have never heard of a steering column that only would turn freely in one direction and not the other. Is your right arm much stronger than your left?
:rolleyes: :confused: :eek: :( :nonod:
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: New Zealand
Re: Power steer probs (Jim Shea)
Yup, only put the good stuff on the bad car. trying to save time by not putting bad stuff on good car.
I am sure its p/s related and not "hard part " related eg tie rod etc.
I am sure its p/s related and not "hard part " related eg tie rod etc.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,090
Likes: 8
From: Indianapolis Indiana
Re: Power steer probs (Geoff H)
Sounds like it could be a faulty power steering control valve. With car in nietral and emergency brake on, elevate both front wheels off the ground. Mark the power steering valve adjustment and then slowly move it both ways to see if the other side kicks in. Just because its new doesn't mean its good. The difference a good and properly adjusted valve made to my car was truly amazing! Good luck. Let us know what finally does the trick.