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  #1  
Old 09-18-2009, 11:26 AM
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Mike621 Mike621 is offline
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Power Steering Woes

So, it is EXTREMELY rare that I post something like this... but here it goes!

In my Claret, I have had NO power steering assist whatsoever since swapping my engine in mid-April of this year. For this reason, I have not really driven the car anywhere except to get gas once and to Reading.

I have since:

-Checked electrical connections
-Ran jumper wires from ecu to ss solenoid on rack
-Replaced the Power steering pump with 3 different used units
-Replaced the sensor on the pump.
-Replaced the 92-style line with a later-style soft line
-Replaced ALL soft lines
-Bypassed steering cooler.
-Bypassed under-engine hard line
-Checked fluid flow at the return going into the reservoir (it is getting ATF back, and the rack is filling with fluid
-Changed the speed sensitive solenoid
-Changed Steering Computer
-Swapped ECUs
-Changed steering rack for rebuilt
-Changed steering rack for non -speed sensitive unit
-Ran line from return straight to reservoir to bypass all.
-Wasted gallons upon gallons of ATF
-lubed knuckle
-Replaced knuckle
-Checked column for friction.


I put the fourth used pump on last night, with a new O-Ring, and I had power assist, and was OVERJOYED!

I got on the Garden State Parkway, heading home after spending 15 hours in the shop, and about 20 miles later when I stopped for gas, I had zero assist again. There is fluid in the reservoir.

I'm stumped.
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  #2  
Old 09-18-2009, 01:48 PM
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Re: Power Steering Woes

That's a puzzler Mike. If fluid is making it to the rack and leaving then there is no problem with the hydraulics. The control valves are inside the rack, right? If you've already swapped racks and that didn't change anything then I would say it's not those. Is there a sensor on the steering column anywhere that could provide a secondary signal to the rack?
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Last edited by Crazy_pilot; 09-18-2009 at 01:51 PM.
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  #3  
Old 09-18-2009, 02:24 PM
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Re: Power Steering Woes

Just a thought since it wasnt mentioned, have you had somebody to turn the wheel while you watched/listened the PS pump and crank pulley? Does it sound normal ?
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Old 09-18-2009, 03:39 PM
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Re: Power Steering Woes

Is your speed sensor working?
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  #5  
Old 09-18-2009, 05:24 PM
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Re: Power Steering Woes

The pump sounds normal.

The crank pulley is new.

I have removed the speed sensitive steering.
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Old 09-18-2009, 08:28 PM
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Re: Power Steering Woes

Quote:
Originally Posted by Crazy_pilot View Post
Is there a sensor on the steering column anywhere that could provide a secondary signal to the rack?
I was wondering this too. Did you ever take the column out or could it be 360* off if there is such a sensor on it?
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Old 09-18-2009, 09:36 PM
SVXelerator SVXelerator is offline
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Re: Power Steering Woes

Do you have the correct steering computer installed?
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Old 09-21-2009, 06:37 AM
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Re: Power Steering Woes

Again, I do not have any electronically-aided power steering installed currently. I am now running an L model setup.

At the moment, I have steering assist occasionally (15-25% of the time) and it is completely random as to when.

The column and clockspring are installed correctly to my knowledge.
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Old 09-21-2009, 10:00 AM
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Re: Power Steering Woes

This might be stupid I don't know but I looked over your list and saw you pretty much had checked EVERYTHING else I could think of already. I am wondering if it is possible that your belt is or could be slipping on the pulley when there is a hydraulic load. Either more tension is needed or a new belt. Other than that if your pump is spinning and you have bypassed and checked everything like they are saying it should be a straight up fluid in fluid out kind of deal.
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Old 09-21-2009, 10:14 AM
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Re: Power Steering Woes

Ok lets see.... is there ANY part of the steering system, besides the column, that you have not swapped or replaced yet? The rotary valve is in the rack itself right? The fact that the problem is intermittent suggests a sticking valve somewhere, since you already switched to an L model rack, eliminating the sensor issue. I was thinking also of the pressure relief valve but you have swapped PS pumps numerous times.

I havent yet removed my rack for anything so I dont know what the setup looks like, but is it possible the torsion bar to your pinion gear could be cracked or otherwise loose or something? Its a long shot, but at this point since you have gone through the system so throughly, the only things left are what you havent yet yanked and replaced.
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  #11  
Old 09-21-2009, 03:29 PM
theallpowerful theallpowerful is offline
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Re: Power Steering Woes

on the lemons car, the electrical leads coming off of the rack are not hooked-up to anything. The rack is only connected to the hoses from the pump, and my PS works great.
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  #12  
Old 09-27-2009, 07:33 PM
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Re: Power Steering Woes

Finally! A resolution to all of my woes!

Before you make the mistake of using a used steering pump, I recommend using a rebuilt unit to save you all of the time and aggravation this problem had caused me!

I HIGHLY recommend the rebuilt power steering pumps that SomethingElse/Eric S. is offering here in our For Sale section. Not only has Eric checked the vitals, but he has replaced all wear components, creating a reliable and reasonably-priced product!


BIG thanks to Eric!
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Last edited by Mike621; 09-27-2009 at 07:36 PM.
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