43tutor
Well-Known Member
Early this year I finished a complete restoration of my 72 Satellite Sebring. I've been chasing a power steering issue but can't seem to figure it out. When I first start-up the car the PS works great. No issues. As I drive the car (approximately 3 to 4 miles) the steering is fine at highway speed but as slow down the steering takes maximum effort. So I thought it might be RPM related. I tested this by putting the car into neutral (while at slower speeds) and increasing the RPM's but it doesn't seem to help.
Here is the history;
1. Completely rebuilt both the pump and steering box to factory service manual specs (new seals, bearings, bushings, etc.), Re-lapped all matting surfaces in the pump and checked clearances per service manual. I've taken every component apart and thoroughly cleaned all items before re-assemble. I'm confident the pump and steering box is re-assembled correctly. I documented the disassemble with photos and notes for re-assembly.
2. Adjusted the valve on the steering box so the car is not self-steering (completed this task with the front wheels off the ground)
3. Adjusted the cross shaft in the steering box to factory specs. Removed the cross link from the steering box arm and adjusted the box until the backlash was just removed and then tightened the adjusting screw 3/8 to 1/2 turn, torqued nut to 28 ft lbs.
4. Checked the movement of the front wheels while off the ground without the steering box attached, no binding
5. Checked the movement of the steering with the wheels off the ground, engine off, no binding or noise turning the steering wheel
6. PS fluid full
7. pump belt tight
8. PS lines from pumped not crossed they will only assembly one way
9. I have not checked the pump pressure with gages (I do not have a set of gages)
My guess at this point has something to do when the car starts to heat up after a few miles of driving since everything works fine when cold or the issue is in the valve on top the steering box.
Scratching my head looking for an answer.
Here is the history;
1. Completely rebuilt both the pump and steering box to factory service manual specs (new seals, bearings, bushings, etc.), Re-lapped all matting surfaces in the pump and checked clearances per service manual. I've taken every component apart and thoroughly cleaned all items before re-assemble. I'm confident the pump and steering box is re-assembled correctly. I documented the disassemble with photos and notes for re-assembly.
2. Adjusted the valve on the steering box so the car is not self-steering (completed this task with the front wheels off the ground)
3. Adjusted the cross shaft in the steering box to factory specs. Removed the cross link from the steering box arm and adjusted the box until the backlash was just removed and then tightened the adjusting screw 3/8 to 1/2 turn, torqued nut to 28 ft lbs.
4. Checked the movement of the front wheels while off the ground without the steering box attached, no binding
5. Checked the movement of the steering with the wheels off the ground, engine off, no binding or noise turning the steering wheel
6. PS fluid full
7. pump belt tight
8. PS lines from pumped not crossed they will only assembly one way
9. I have not checked the pump pressure with gages (I do not have a set of gages)
My guess at this point has something to do when the car starts to heat up after a few miles of driving since everything works fine when cold or the issue is in the valve on top the steering box.
Scratching my head looking for an answer.