maleah 17 Report post Posted December 19, 2008 just installed a complete stock power steering system on my 69. hooked up all hoses, pitman arm, and pump. Put in about 3/4 of a quart of ATF trans fluid in pump aNd started up. Immediatly the wheel turned it self completly to drivers side untill it couldnt turn anymore. IT IS EXTREMLY HARD TO TURN to the drivers side. I continued to slowly fill the pump housing. After about 45 seconds i reached down and felt the pump housing and it was schorching hot. turned off car. Rechecked lines. getting fluid out of main hose from crontrol valve. Ok. any ideas as to why this is not working properly? since the hoses are different sizes that fit into the control valve i dont think they are crossed. the larger of the two hoses and fitting in the control valve goes to the main fitting valve in the center of the pump housing. is that correct? the smaller of the fittings on the control valve goes to the return fitting on the bottom of the pump correct? Any help would be greatly appreciated!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Trinitys 134 Report post Posted December 19, 2008 the 2 small hoses are switched up....you need to switch them. this is a pretty common mistake. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maleah 17 Report post Posted December 19, 2008 the two small hoses from the control valve to the slave cylinder? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Trinitys 134 Report post Posted December 19, 2008 yes... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Trinitys 134 Report post Posted December 19, 2008 the long supply and return lines are different sizes like you said and it's actually pretty hard to get these mixed up. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maleah 17 Report post Posted December 19, 2008 awesome, thank you. i will try and switch them and see what happens. thanks for your help! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Trinitys 134 Report post Posted December 19, 2008 let us know! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maleah 17 Report post Posted December 19, 2008 ok that worked ! but it still seems a little hard to turn. does the system need to break in or is there something else im not looking at? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Trinitys 134 Report post Posted December 19, 2008 you haven't had it aligned, maybe that's the problem.....or possibly you have some air. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maleah 17 Report post Posted December 20, 2008 well some info first...the car is up on stands with the wheels off. i just replaced every old suspension part from the perches to to control arms. I also replaced my drum break assembiles to new disc assemblies. could this have something to do with the stiffiness? should i be able to move the wheel with one hand? how do iget airout of the system? i really appreciate your replies as it is saving me alot of time and headachs.! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maleah 17 Report post Posted December 20, 2008 one more thing, i also replaced tghe old steering box with a 4 turn rebuild box and new rag joint. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maleah 17 Report post Posted December 21, 2008 why would steering be eaiser turning right, and more difficult turning left? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Justafordguy 10 Report post Posted December 21, 2008 There is an adjustment on the control valve that will make the steering equal in both directions. There is a nut under the cap on the end (1/2 inch wrench). It only takes a little adjustment so go a 1/4 turn at the time. Make sure you put the cap back on before you test each time until it's right. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maleah 17 Report post Posted December 22, 2008 After following everyones advice i finiallygolt the steering to work! Initially the 2 hoses were crossed and then i ajusted the 1/2 nut under the cap so the steering turned eaisly both ways instead of one. Again thank you for your responses and the help! now im just stuck with the small leaks which is my next project! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
coz 108 Report post Posted December 23, 2008 Just to add to the post after the fact. I've found the best way to work the play, bubbles and stiffness out is to place cardboard under the front tires and as a buddy continues to pour the fluid in you slowly turn the steering wheel from bump to bump. The cardboard allows the tires to turn without stress or tearing up the garage floor. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikem 13 Report post Posted December 24, 2008 With the wheels off the ground, you should be able to turn the wheel with one finger if the engine is running. I had the same problem with extreme stiffness driving down the road after I replaced my power steering control valve with a "brand new" after market one. I sent it back for a replacement and the replacement was the same. I rebuilt my stock one and problem solved. There is also an adjustment to center the control valve fluid pressure. As i recall, there are two screws that hold on the cap. Once this is removed you see a nut that is turned in or out to adjust the pressure. I'm not near my manuals right now so i can't be more specific about how to adjust properly. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
james the flame 11 Report post Posted December 24, 2008 The air {if any} should work its way out by itself with use. I just put a new pump and replaced all the hoses and rebuilt the control module myself. With my car on the ground you can steer it with one finger. It had "hard spots" in the steering until I drove it about 1 mile. All the air worked it's way out and steers great ever since. Good luck and merry Christmas to everyone Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
