Power steering pump questions

[sujitroy]

I rebuilt a rack, but did not change the rings on the control valve. The steering is heavy compared to my other Stag. I do have power assist when the car is running. I swapped pumps with my other car thinking its the pump, but swapping pumps made no difference. I haven't touched this pump in my 20 years of ownership. Recently I've noticed the steering it getting more heavier. This evening, while the car was stationary, the pump started to squeal while turning the wheel. Is this a classic sign that the pump needs rebuilding?
Sujit

[trunt]

I would normally associate squealing with a slipping belt, the harder the pump works the more strain and turning the wheel causes the pressure to raise. Hitting the end stops causes the full pressure so you always get that characteristic “groan” sound. I guess the bushing could be failing? Either way that Eidelbrook kit in the other thread is cheap and includes the bushing..

Due to a leak into the rack, I did think about those control ptfe rings. The middle 2 rings contain the high pressure from pump, middle and top and middle and bottom contain the pressure for each side. Above and below them is the return oil at low pressure. So if they were leaking I guess it could cause heavy steering but I would think that it would be one sided, unless they are all worn exactly the same?

In my case I think that my leak into the rack area came from that lowermost rubber seal that prevents the low pressure oil escaping. The walls of the control were fairly rough where that seal sits, I smoothed it off and replaced the seal and so far so good.. but it’s early days yet.

[MandM]

I would normally associate squealing with a slipping belt, the harder the pump works the more strain and turning the wheel causes the pressure to raise. Hitting the end stops causes the full pressure so you always get that characteristic “groan” sound. I guess the bushing could be failing? Either way that Eidelbrook kit in the other thread is cheap and includes the bushing..

Due to a leak into the rack, I did think about those control ptfe rings. The middle 2 rings contain the high pressure from pump, middle and top and middle and bottom contain the pressure for each side. Above and below them is the return oil at low pressure. So if they were leaking I guess it could cause heavy steering but I would think that it would be one sided, unless they are all worn exactly the same?

In my case I think that my leak into the rack area came from that lowermost rubber seal that prevents the low pressure oil escaping. The walls of the control were fairly rough where that seal sits, I smoothed it off and replaced the seal and so far so good.. but it’s early days yet.

Hi Terry , my original rack that came on the car when I purchased it, had a slight leak in the usual places and a knock , when you turn the wheel, I resealed it but did not change the white PTFE rings on the control valve, the knock was still there and late on produced, A hydraulic locking feeling when you travel at cruising speed for a while, so when you came to a round about it would not turn until you pulled the wheel hard, very scary feeling, I purchased a recon rack (lose term for a recon away) and fitted that , which was ok apart from leaking after a few thousand miles and 13 months .
,
The old rack that I thought had a problem with the control valve, I change the valve from another rack, using my original control valve housing , this still had the problem with the hydraulic locking feeling after a high speed cruise, the recon!!!? rack is now back on the car and my original rack on my bench waiting my attention.

Question do you think changing the PTFE white rings will cure it or do you think the housing can wear to allow the high pressure oil both sides of the ring causing the locking???

Hope you get what I mean, I'm getting a dab hand at changing racks


Thanks martin

[trunt]

Hi Terry , my original rack that came on the car when I purchased it, had a slight leak in the usual places and a knock , when you turn the wheel, I resealed it but did not change the white PTFE rings on the control valve, the knock was still there and late on produced, A hydraulic locking feeling when you travel at cruising speed for a while, so when you came to a round about it would not turn until you pulled the wheel hard, very scary feeling, I purchased a recon rack (lose term for a recon away) and fitted that , which was ok apart from leaking after a few thousand miles and 13 months .
,
The old rack that I thought had a problem with the control valve, I change the valve from another rack, using my original control valve housing , this still had the problem with the hydraulic locking feeling after a high speed cruise, the recon!!!? rack is now back on the car and my original rack on my bench waiting my attention.

Question do you think changing the PTFE white rings will cure it or do you think the housing can wear to allow the high pressure oil both sides of the ring causing the locking???

Hope you get what I mean, I'm getting a dab hand at changing racks


Thanks martin

Never experienced it but yes I could imagine that leaking ptfe seals would do that.. Swapping housings without installing new seals could also be an issue as they are not very elastic, and may not conform to the new housing. I would imagine that you would need to replace the seals as you do that. I managed this, its not terribly difficult and its been fine for 2 years.. I'm pretty sure my leak was that lower rubber seal surface in the housing which I failed to check properly ( I just checked it.. no leaks) But the steering has always felt OK

I did a thread on it.. Post#10

https://www.socforum.com/forum/forum...ves#post564534

[sujitroy]

I still have heavy steering but putting air in the tires helped somewhat.