Power steering . . .UPDATE & Question

[Helge Wunderlich]

On Tue, 7 Jan 2003 13:55:46 -0500, "Ice Cat      ^. .^" wrote:

>My husband took everything apart and the lines and filters are clear.
>It seems that there is a little pressure valve of some sort inside
>the power steering pump and if that is off a little bit the steering
>will get a little more heavy.

I'm no expert, but from my "research", I have concluded that this
valve is a pure overpressure valve which is normally fully closed. It
will make a hissing/howling sound when it opens. Try turning the
steering all the way over to one side and then hold it against the end
stop with some force. You'll hear the sound of the hydraulic oil
rushing through the overpressure valve.

The pressure to the rack is regulated by the rotary valve located on
the rack where the steering wheel axle enters it. I believe that it is
this valve that is "out of tune" when the steering gets heavy. It
could, of course, also be the pump not supplying enough pressure, but
that seems very unlikely to me.

Take a look at http://www.howstuffworks.com. They have a nice
description of how the power steering works.

>So since his '88 5000 doesn't drive well at all I suggested he take
>that pump apart for practice to replace the little pressure valve.

Check out the price tag on that valve before you order it !

>Then when he figures out how it should be taken apart and put back
>together he will be up to speed on the car we are currently driving.
>
>Has anyone done this ?

I have taken my pump apart twice. It is not at all difficult, but you
need the right tools: To replace the front seal, you need a three-leg
puller to get the hub off the axle. To replace the O-rings under the X
caps, you need a too to get them out. I don't know what this tool is
called or where to get it. I ended up building a tool.

One important thing: The seal kit lacks one of the O-rings. If I
remember correctly, it's the one that goes between the two halves of
the pump.

It is *very* important to prime the pump before you start the engine,
or you'll burn the pump bearings and the oil seal.

--
Helge Wunderlich