power steering

[tarps3]

I need some help with my power steering. I have a '60 T-Bird coupe with the 352 engine. I have resealed the power steering pump, replaced it with a remanufactured one, installed a new filter and replaced all gaskets. The darn thing still foams up during use and dumps fluid out of the top of the reservoir so severely that I can't drive it more than about 6 miles without losing much of the steering. I am using type "F" fluid but nothing I do seems to help. The pump does not leak but I'm getting air in the system somehow and it overflows and dumps the fluid on the ground. Any help would be great!
thanks, Casey

[Alexander]

RE: power steering

You most probably have a leak the hose going to the power steering pump. The pump is drawing air in at that point.

Do you have a leak of power steering when the car is sitting or when it is running before it foams over ?

Alexander
1959 Hardtop
1960 Golde Top

[tarps3]

RE: power steering

It doesn't leak just sitting there. It seems to foam over after driving about 5 minutes. Then after you park it, it continues to drip but it seems to just be dripping from all the areas that were drenched during the foam-over; not the pump itself. All the hoses and connections have been checked and all seem fine. Is there any way that air is being drawn in thru the control valve?

[Alexander]

RE: power steering

Yes, air can enter there.

Do you have the little flap of metal that deflects the fluid that goes inside the power steering pump resevoir off the fuild return ? The fluid should not shoot straight into the resevoir. This would also cause foaming.

Alexander
1959 Hardtop
1960 Golde Top

[tarps3]

RE: power steering

I think the flap is there.
I'll have to go back to the garage and make sure.
I'll check that and the control valve.

[tarps3]

RE: power steering

everything is where it should be.
My mechanic says the control valve is rusty and deteriorated. It's the only piece I haven't rebuilt or replaced. Do you have any idea where I can find one??
My car's been in the shop for 4 weeks and I just want to drive it! Any help you can give me in locating one of these is appreciated!
thanks,
Casey

[Alexander]

RE: power steering

Call one of the vendors listed at http://www.squarebirds.org/links_squarebirds.htm . They will send you a rebuilt control valve. They will charge you for the core, which they refund when they get back the old one. Make sure the mechanic is careful taking out the old control valve. If he uses a ball joint separator or pounds the **** out of the drag link connection with a sledge hammer, he will destroy the control valve and they will not refund your core deposit. The connection to the drag link can be stubborn to remove after it has been in there for a few years. It is best to let the connection soak in Liquid Wrench for several hours and then try to tap it out.

Alexander
1959 Hardtop
1960 Golde Top

[tarps3]

RE: power steering

I just ordered a control valve from The Bird Nest.
Should be here by Wednesday morning (paid too much for 2 day air but I'm tired of waiting around).
I'll let you know how it goes. If this doesn't fix it, I'm yanking it out and going with manual steering!
thanks for all your help.
Casey

[Alexander]

RE: power steering

If you have a rebuilt control valve, rebuilt ram, rebuilt power steering pump and new hoses, you should have no problems.

Incidentally the pump should use Type A transmission fluid, though I have used Type F with no problems.

Converting to manal steering is not that easy as there are several unique pieces used and those parts are harder to find than the power assisted ones.

Alexander
1959 Hardtop
1960 Golde Top

[Guest]

RE: power steering

Hi,
Do you really have to convert to manual steering with those manual steering parts? My mounting stud for the power steering cylinder broke off a month ago. Before I had repaired it I took down the power steering cylinder and I drove the car without the power assistance for a few days. It wasn’t as bad as I expected. Of course I realise that the best thing is to repair or replace a defect control valve. Good luck with the new control valve Casey.

[Alexander]

RE: power steering

The non-power steering linkage was different than the power steering linkage. The unique pieces were painted gray from the factory. The manual steering idler arm had grease fittings unlike the power steering one which just uses rubber busings.

Alexander
1959 Hardtop
1960 Golde Top

[tarps3]

RE: power steering

I think this will be my final entry to for this subject.
Thanks to all who replied and helped with this thing.
I just got the 'ol girl back and other than the reservoir lid leaking fluid due to overfilling, I think my power steering problem is solved. So, $600 in parts and labor later, I am back in business! Sheesh!
thanks again to all who responded with advice - especially Alexander.
Casey

[tarps3]

RE: power steering

Well, so much for wishful thinking. Nothin's easy.
I STILL have a leak around the reservoir lid. It seems to build up a LOT of pressure and blow fluid out of the top when it gets hot. Now, someone told me that there is a little hole near the larger hole where the threaded stud goes thru the lid. I've heard that this is a vent hole to relieve pressure. The latest seal kit I installed had a rubber grommet that went down over the threaded stud and plugged up that large hole in the lid (along with the vent hole it would seem). In addition, there is a rubber backed washer under the wing nut on the lid. Between the rubber washer and the rubber plug in the hole, I don't see how that little pin hole is able to vent the reservoir. Should I leave the rubber plug out? Does that little pin hole allow the reservoir to vent? If so, how does it do that with the rubber washer in place above it?
HELP me before I drive this car into the ditch!
Caseyx( x(

[Alexander]

RE: power steering

There should not be any pressure in the resevoir. It should be filled to 1/4 inch from the top. There is a washer over that small vent you talk about.

Alexander
1959 Hardtop
1960 Golde Top

[Alexander]

RE: power steering

I have thinking about this problem. You replaced the control valve and yet you still have the problem with the power steering pump. I am fairly certain that the problem is that the power steering pump was not properly rebuilt. The relief valve is probably sticking in the power steering pump causing the backup of fluid into the resevoir. Open up the heaxagonal relief plug retainer and see if the parts are put in properly in there and see if the power steering pump valve slides out easily without binding.

Alexander
1959 Hardtop
1960 Golde Top