Slant Six Sages,

I put the steering rack (1989 Chevy Cavalier) back into the 34 Dodge Coupe and it has a ton of air in the system. I filled up the reservoir, but it is making a bunch of foam and if I try to turn the steering wheel it starts oscillating and jerking and making noise. I tried putting the front wheels in the air and running it back and forth with the engine off, but I can only turn the wheel about 10-20 degrees at a time and it "hits a stop." I can move it again another 10-20 deg if I stop pulling and relax than turn the wheel again. Never seen this before. It has some kind of circle track pump in it. No leaks.

I made the (likely) mistake of draining a bunch of fluid out of the rack while I was fixing the leaky fitting and then did not refill the rack before hooking up the lines.

Should I try popping loose one or both of the external fluid lines? Under what conditions (engine on/off, turning wheel...)?

Any ideas y'all have would be much appreciated.

Lou

_________________
Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

Normally the air is purged just by slowly turning the steering wheel lock to lock a few times.
PS: I stopped by my local O'Rielly's today. And they do have a rebuild service available. If you need your rack done, just contact your local store.
PPS: if you don't have an account with them, let me know, and I can hook you up with my commercial acct. Should save you some money.

_________________
Charrlie_S
65 Valiant 100 2dr post 170 turbo
66 Valiant Signet 170 nitrous
64 Valiant Signet
64 Valiant 4dr 170
64 Valiant 4dr 225

Thanks, Charlie.

I cannot see how the rack could have been damaged, but I suppose it's possible. Maybe running it initially with minimal fluid?

Here's another piece of data: I can grab the tire (wheels in the air) and move the rack through its whole travel easily. Just like normal operation, but if I go back and try the steering wheel it does the same things - pull, stop, pull, stop... Sometimes when I use the tire to move the rack side-side it gets to a more free area and moves faster/easier with the same force applied. If I move it around that point, it stiffens back up and moves smoothly and normally.

I tried loosening the steering shaft U-joints to the steering column and to the rack input shaft - no change. Thought there may be some binding but nope.

Other ideas anyone? Thanks again.

Lou

_________________
Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

I was not aware of this method. You might want to try it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1GgQ-3asJQ

_________________
Charrlie_S
65 Valiant 100 2dr post 170 turbo
66 Valiant Signet 170 nitrous
64 Valiant Signet
64 Valiant 4dr 170
64 Valiant 4dr 225

Great idea. Thanks again.

Lou

_________________
Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

Ford at one time recommended using a hand vacuum pump and a large rubber stopper to pull a vacuum on the power steering reservoir while turning the wheel back and forth, with the front wheels elevated off the floor. I can't say I have ever tried it.

Edit Should have watch the video before I answered.

_________________
63 Plymouth Valiant Wagon

I had a nice chat with Mr. Joe Nelson last night and have more ideas to try. What a great guy.

It'll have to wait til after my visit to WI this week to see my mom (and relatives) and supervise/set up/attend my dad's funeral...

Lou

_________________
Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

My experience with PS racks is that once you have foam the foam will not go away. My method on the modern stuff is simple. Start engine....turn engine off....wait.....start engine....turn engine off....wait. I let them run for about 4 seconds and then let the foam settle out. This method has worked for me for years. And the earlier suggestion of applying vacuum to suck the foam out also works nicely.


edit.....Also if the rack you are using has the external pressure lines the go from one end to the other, they can be damaged and cause weird/neat behaviour. I have seen cars that would turn easily one way, but not be able to turn the other with a pinched shut tube.

Great thoughts, thanks. Will try bleeding the crossover tubes and checking for bends/pinches. I bet there is a pocket of air in one or both of those. We'll see.

Lou

_________________
Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988