Newly rebuilt Power steering rack fitted, but will not operate?

[Robin Searle]

My steering rack started leaking, I found a newly rebuilt unit and had that installed !!. Bad news came when experienced British car garage phoned that despite checking that the pump was working 100%, the new rack will not assist when trying to turn the front wheels,only appears to work manually, so heavy..

Any suggestions would be more than welcome as I am at my wits end!!!!

Robin in Ontario Canada

[Goldstar]

That's an odd one. If the pump is working where can the fluid be going? Must be a blockage in the pipework somewhere surely? Have they got the HP and LP pipes the right way round (haven't changed one for a while so I'm not sure if that is even possible).

[trunt]

Some ideas..

Someone installed the control bobbin the wrong way round? there was a thread on that..

To divert the pressure the control requires twisting a torsion bar, maybe if that was disconnected the steering would not assist, there are roll pins top and bottom so all I can think of is that one or the other roll; pins has not been fitted or has sheared.? if thats the case there would be a fairly big dead spot as the slots that drive the rack mechanically have some "slack" to allow the torsion bar to operate.

[Robin Searle]

Have just returned from the garage and spoke with the mechanic, power steering works OK UNTIL you turn the engine on !! He described it as having a hose at each end and the fluid meets in the middle then will not allow the rack to operate !!

[sujitroy]

Robin. was the rebuilt unit tested?
The rack will operate without the engine. all racks do that. it's. safety feature.

[Robin Searle]

Would someone have a diagram/photo of where the steering bobbin is located?? and yes apparently the rebuilt rack was bench tested by the re builder.

Thanks to those that have replied so far

Robin

[sujitroy]

I'm assuming the mechanic knows how to bleed the rack when on the car.

[mole42]

Some ideas..

Someone installed the control bobbin the wrong way round? there was a thread on that..

That's the most likely explanation. I did that once, or raher assembled the bobbin 180° out, and there is no power assist at all, although the pump is working perfectly.

[sujitroy]

If the rack was bench tested, why would that bobbin be installed the wrong way?
Sujit

[wilf]

Possibly because the bench test was for leaks, not for operation.

[trunt]

Would someone have a diagram/photo of where the steering bobbin is located?? and yes apparently the rebuilt rack was bench tested by the re builder.

Thanks to those that have replied so far

Robin

This thread shows it, last post.. there are slots in the shaft and slots inside the bobbin, they need to align when you engage the 2 dogs.

https://www.socforum.com/forum/forum...refurbished-it