I've been spending some time sorting a few jobs before I put the car back on the road after its winter layup. I noticed that both power steering pipes were cracked and leaking so I have replaced those. I took the opportunity to clean and repaint the power steering pump and fit new seals. However, the law of sod dictated that what was once a working pump is no more. My obvious thought was that I had put the concentric ring in the wrong way around, but I've had this thing apart 3 times now and I can be pretty confident that it has been reassembled correctly. I have been meticulous in following the ROM and studied Sujitroy's YouTube videos before starting. This should be well within my capabilities but it's got me stumped. So any ideas as to what I could have messed up or does anyone have a working pump they'd like to sell me? Preferably a later push-fit pulley type.
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‘Is no more’ isn’t really enough to go on .
Any more details you’d like to share?There are 2 secrets to staying on top :- 1. Don't give everything away.
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With the wheels off the ground, and all air bled out of the system, the steering is free but feels a bit heavier than it should. With the wheels back on the ground, the power assistance is non-existent so I haven't taken it out on the road yet. The PS belt is on the front pulley, I'm assuming the middle one is for AC where fitted. This is the later style pump on a 77 MkII.Comment
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With the wheels on the ground did you turn full lock to lock a few times? This bleeds the system. Could the valve on the pump be clogged?
SujitComment
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Another thing. The later pumps, the for casing, use thicker square profile O rings. Most repair kits, in USA anyway, have both sets.
SujitComment
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Hi Sujit. I found your videos very useful in conjunction with the ROM and parts catalog. I did flush the valve out with some brake cleaner but saw no reason to dismantle it. With the wheels off the ground, the pump was primed with fluid and then initially bled by spinning the pulley by hand with the belt off. I then reattached the belt and ran it off the engine while turning the wheel to full lock about 15-20 times. Topped up the fluid to the correct level and repeated the process. I'm not seeing any more bubbles in the reservoir. With wheels back on the ground I can barely turn the steering wheel. Yes, I've used square profile O rings. None of the pump vanes are sticking and they are the correct way around. Considering it was OK before I took it apart, I just can't see what I could have done so badly wrong.Comment
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With the pump in the car, its a bit difficult to test, but if you connect a drill to the pulley and spin it slowly, fluid will pump through it. I've rebuilt two pumps and they are not difficult to rebuild, however, getting that one bit on backwards will prevent it from pumping. You replaced the pipes, there is something at the end of one lines which call fall out of the rack's control unit. See items 37 and 38 at the following website. Have they come out or shifted?
SujitComment
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The eccentric or pump body ring was my initial thought but I have triple-checked that it is the right way around. On assembly, the arrow is facing out toward the back of the pump as shown in the parts catalogue. I don't recall seeing any seals on the rack control unit but I have had the misfortune to replace the rack 3 times after the first two were faulty recon units. I don't think it's related but the steering has never been quite right since I replaced the rack and re-bushed the front end. It doesn't self-centre as it should. But I think that is down to a geometry issue. I'll take a look at the control unit tomorrow.Comment
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There are like ferrules not seals.
My son, who is in college was trying to mate two dissimilar threads together. He thinks like he has a PhD, but is only an under graduate. While investigating he pointed out that the flare on the end of a pipe has a contact point. (A sweet spot) Overtightening say a leaking power steering line to try and stop it leaking wont help. If you tightened beyond the contact point, you are screwed. He should have told me earlier as I have to change out both my power steering lines.
Sujit
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OK, so I've checked the rack end of the pipe connections today and can see nothing that would cause a problem. No deformation of the fittings and no blockages. Whilst I was refilling the system I removed the HP pipe from the pump to see how much fluid would come out while I spun the pulley. I'm not sure if it was because the pump needed to be spun faster or the control valve was doing it's job, but the fluid was only dribbling out.
PSV1.jpg PSV2.jpg PSV3.jpg PSP1.jpg
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I do recall with a drill on slow speed, I'd get a reasonable flow. Do you have a mate with a Stag where you can swap pumps? Can you put the pump back on the car , undo the pipes at the control end and run the car and see if you get any fluid pumping out?
SujitComment
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Could it be something with the relief valve, it could be pumping but bypassing all the time so developing no pressure?? Just an idea..Terry Hunt, Wilmington Delaware
www.terryhunt.co.ukComment
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So that was interesting. I wrapped a cord around the pulley to get a bit of rotational speed and it does appear to push fluid out. So maybe there is a problem with the valve. I would be amazed if it was a coincidental problem with the rack after not long replacing it. Perhaps I should try another seal in the valve. I can't see what else could go wrong with it.
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