ConcoursMustang Forums

Restoring - General discussions that span across many different groups of years and models => Suspension => Topic started by: Brian in PA on May 07, 2016, 07:51:54 PM

Title: Power steering woes
Post by: Brian in PA on May 07, 2016, 07:51:54 PM
Hi fellas. I'm having some trouble with my power steering. I have  a new pump on, and I rebuilt the control valve.   When the car is running the steering acts erratic. It goes back and forth real violently, and was making the belt smoke.  I checked the lines and they are installed correctly from what I see. I'm assuming the control valve that I rebuilt is bad?  Thanks.
Title: Re: Power steering woes
Post by: preaction on May 07, 2016, 08:48:41 PM
From my experience there is air in the system it needs to be turned lock to lock a few times to expel the air.
Title: Re: Power steering woes
Post by: Bob Gaines on May 07, 2016, 09:20:31 PM
Hi fellas. I'm having some trouble with my power steering. I have  a new pump on, and I rebuilt the control valve.   When the car is running the steering acts erratic. It goes back and forth real violently, and was making the belt smoke.  I checked the lines and they are installed correctly from what I see. I'm assuming the control valve that I rebuilt is bad?  Thanks.
I am not sure if this your problem but those exact same symptoms happen when the short lines to the slave cylinder are reversed. When the car is started the steering wheel violently turns from one extreme to the other.
Title: Re: Power steering woes
Post by: Brian in PA on May 07, 2016, 10:32:42 PM
Thanks for the responses.  I'll try both and hopefully get a remedy.
Title: Re: Power steering woes
Post by: ruppstang on May 07, 2016, 11:06:36 PM
I am not sure if this your problem but those exact same symptoms happen when the short lines to the slave cylinder are reversed. When the car is started the steering wheel violently turns from one extreme to the other.
+1 Marty
Title: Re: Power steering woes
Post by: Smokey 15 on May 08, 2016, 10:36:00 AM
 I have to agree with Bob & Marty. The steering wheel can spin so violently that you do not want an arm through the wheel when you start the car.  I know that on some Mopar's you have to move the manifold on top of the steering box to adjust steering wheel return. Not certain if any model Fords have that.
Title: Re: Power steering woes
Post by: 67gtasanjose on May 08, 2016, 12:49:56 PM
If the hoses are found to be in the right position there is always the possibility that you have assembled the control valve incorrectly.
Title: Re: Power steering woes
Post by: Brian in PA on May 09, 2016, 10:32:32 PM
Well the hoses were on wrong but now the pump sounds like gear drive/ supercharger!  The pump got so hot after only a couple minutes I couldn't touch it. I think the control valve may be messed up. I tried saving some money by doing it myself. Oh well off to chockostang it goes  8)
Title: Re: Power steering woes
Post by: Armond on May 10, 2016, 02:13:47 AM
If the Nut under the control valve cap is too tight it will do this same thing you are describing.  You might try backing it off some.   Just an idea from my experience. 

Title: Re: Power steering woes
Post by: 1967 eight barrel on May 10, 2016, 03:43:04 PM
If the washer is left out, or put on the wrong side, or the nut is overtightened, It also can create a hard pull. The instructions supplied with most kits aren't accurate because the kit covers GM vehicles as well.
                                                                                                              -Keith
Title: Re: Power steering woes
Post by: Anghelrestorations on May 10, 2016, 04:08:39 PM
I think we all learned from experience over the years about putting the two short hoses on wrong what it does.  Everyone seems to do it at least once.  I can say for sure I will not forget the first time I ever did that.   
Title: Re: Power steering woes
Post by: J_Speegle on May 10, 2016, 05:38:48 PM
I think we all learned from experience over the years about putting the two short hoses on wrong what it does.  Everyone seems to do it at least once.  I can say for sure I will not forget the first time I ever did that.

+1 Just took a second to realize things were wrong. Got to watch those thumbs
Title: Re: Power steering woes
Post by: preaction on May 10, 2016, 10:18:54 PM
I sent my setup -all parts- to Rode's restoration in Galion Ohio over 12 years ago and received all of the correct parts I didn't have and the power steering has been working flawlessly and hasn't leaked a drop, great vendor to deal with.
Title: Re: Power steering woes
Post by: carlite65 on May 10, 2016, 10:20:17 PM
+1 on roger... he does all my work too.
Title: Re: Power steering woes
Post by: Brian in PA on May 15, 2016, 09:16:27 PM
Fellas thanks for the replies.  I'm about at my last wits with this thing. I did have the hoses wrong that corrected the violent movement. But the pump still was sounding quite loud and getting quite hot quite fast. Since Thursday I have installed a new control valve, another new pump and taken the lines off to check for obstructions. But the pump gets real hot real fast as dose the control valve. Is this normal?  It just sounds not right?  Surely having a little air in the system wouldn't do this. I cycled the wheel back and forth a few times full lock each way. I'm just about ready to yank it of and put on manual steering.  Any ideas?   Thanks.
Title: Re: Power steering woes
Post by: 67gtasanjose on May 16, 2016, 08:19:40 AM
Fellas thanks for the replies.  I'm about at my last wits with this thing. I did have the hoses wrong that corrected the violent movement. But the pump still was sounding quite loud and getting quite hot quite fast. Since Thursday I have installed a new control valve, another new pump and taken the lines off to check for obstructions. But the pump gets real hot real fast as dose the control valve. Is this normal?  It just sounds not right?  Surely having a little air in the system wouldn't do this. I cycled the wheel back and forth a few times full lock each way. I'm just about ready to yank it of and put on manual steering.  Any ideas?   Thanks.

I would now have to wonder who is rebuilding your PS units. If you understand fully how these control valve systems work, it would help. It really isn't much different than a PS box system either but to me it sounds like your pressure system isn't centering, where the pump's pressure regulator can drop back to what I'll call "stand-by" mode (for lack of better wording). The pump needs to increase volume (pressure) ONLY when assist is requested (from the control valve) but doesn't create much "drag" or resistance when assist is not requested. Translation: Your control valve is still fighting for some reason (possibly internal leaks or assembly error or cheap/shoddy rebuilt parts)

As suggested earlier, Rhodes would be your best source. If you bought them from Rhodes, you must still have something crossed in the plumbing because I highly doubt they supplied you a defective part. If you bought it from your local parts store...well, hard to say who build those for them because they usually go for the cheapest supplier.
Title: Re: Power steering woes
Post by: Brian in PA on May 16, 2016, 09:13:15 AM
Thanks.  I got a rebuilt unit from Chockostang.  He does this stuff for a living I sure hope its OK.   :(
Title: Re: Power steering woes
Post by: 67gtasanjose on May 16, 2016, 09:46:06 AM
I would contact your rebuilder first but till you reach them, you can check out some more info here: http://www.stangerssite.com/CanIControlValve.html
Title: Re: Power steering woes
Post by: Bob Gaines on May 16, 2016, 03:00:27 PM
Thanks.  I got a rebuilt unit from Chockostang.  He does this stuff for a living I sure hope its OK.   :(
I have faith in Chockostangs ability. What did they say when you asked them about the problem?
Title: Re: Power steering woes
Post by: Brian in PA on May 16, 2016, 06:39:00 PM
Well I spoke with Dan. We have it narrowed down to a bad cylinder. I keep you posted. Thanks.