[sirhk100]

Curious... Not everytime but occasionally when I lift the front of the car off the ground and simply cycle my steering wheel... Or if I cycle the steering wheel while on the ground without the engine running. The next time I start the car and go drive it, I won't have power steering for the first say minute to 5 minutes. Typically within about 5 minutes it kicks back in and starts working. I've figured out that if I simply start aggressively running the wheel back and forth while driving (slow safe speeds obviously) it'll usually kick back in after maybe 15-20 cycles. One time I was mid large clover leaf freeway on ramp in the midst of a steady turn and it kicked back in and took me deeper into the turn unexpectedly!!! LOL Good wake up moment there!

But anyways, any idea what's potentially happening? Servo valve in the system gets stuck or something when I cycle the steering manually without the motor running? Is this just normal for that era of car or is it potentially signs of something heading towards the end of it's life?

'67 Mustang, power steering, nothing exotic or crazy going on with it...

Thanks,
Khris

 

[CHOCK]

Something is Screwed up!
It can be the valve, yes. Reaction valve?, stuck sleeve/ball stud/stop. etc.
Rear valve in pump.
What type of fluid are you using?
How old, miles is the system?

 

[myfirstcar66]

^^^ this guy has forgotten more about steering systems than I could ever learn. THE authority as far as I can tell.

 

[sirhk100]

Something is Screwed up!
It can be the valve, yes. Reaction valve?, stuck sleeve/ball stud/stop. etc.
Rear valve in pump.
What type of fluid are you using?
How old, miles is the system?

Nothing special fluid wise. Just off the shelf penzoil power steering fluid.
No clue on age of the system. I doubt it's original but it was on the car when I bought it. I've put roughly 10K on the car since I've owned it. But beyond that, it's a guess at best.

 

[Nailbender]

You must use type F transmission fluid with the stock PS setup!

 

[CHOCK]

You must use type F transmission fluid with the stock PS setup!

Yes Sir, The best, highest priced fluid will kill a Ford Pump PDQ.

 

[sirhk100]

Lovely, now I learn this... Funny cause it's the same stuff I use in the steering system on my truck which is LIGHT years more expensive, strong, reliable and exotic! LOL

Figures that something as simple as the wrong fluid would kill the setup on a 50y/o pump system. I'll see about flushing it and getting it changed to see if by some chance that's what's causing this but other than that I NEVER have issues with the steering. It's only if I mess with it when the engine is off basically. And even then it's not every time... "Finicky" comes to mind! LOL

It's all still a million times simpler than my other specialty type of vehicle in the driveway at least!!!

 

[CHOCK]

"When you mess with it without engine running"
--If you turn the steering without assist from the hydraulics, the FULL movement of the ball stud, brass bushing is achieved, way over movement with engine running.
(Engine running approx. 3/16 movement left or right).
If the brass bushing is worn, has ridges, is bent from ball stud excessive movement, sleeve bent (BIG ONE here) Bushing will STICK in the sleeve.
Just a thought.
Bottom line. If the system is a original, has not been rebuilt, I'm certain this could be the cause.
If the system has been addressed with new parts, then the problem is likely improper install--Yes another big one on why these don't work.

 

[2nd 66]

Not sure how similar the system might be ,but I've notice more than one breed of car (Older Ford Explorers the most) that when doing front end work on a lift and turning the suspension right and left to gain working room the power steering is full of air and has to be "worked" to regain power

 

[sirhk100]

"When you mess with it without engine running"
--If you turn the steering without assist from the hydraulics, the FULL movement of the ball stud, brass bushing is achieved, way over movement with engine running.
(Engine running approx. 3/16 movement left or right).
If the brass bushing is worn, has ridges, is bent from ball stud excessive movement, sleeve bent (BIG ONE here) Bushing will STICK in the sleeve.
Just a thought.
Bottom line. If the system is a original, has not been rebuilt, I'm certain this could be the cause.
If the system has been addressed with new parts, then the problem is likely improper install--Yes another big one on why these don't work.

Yeah, as far as I know I don't think anything on the system has been gone thru any year recently. I've owned the car probably 4 years now and I knew the previous owner and don't believe he ever did anything as far as the steering goes.

Am I right that you're the one on here that does full steering service/rebuilds? If so, would you mind shooting me a PM with cost to freshen up my whole system if I were to pull it and ship it your way? I don't plan to mess with it really soon, possibly this winter depending what average turn around time is. (I'm in Vegas so prime driving season!!! LOL)

Not sure how similar the system might be ,but I've notice more than one breed of car (Older Ford Explorers the most) that when doing front end work on a lift and turning the suspension right and left to gain working room the power steering is full of air and has to be "worked" to regain power

I thought about the air situation too but based on previous experience you usually can very obviously hear it working it's way thru the pump sounding like a disaster in the making as the pump whines and complains... I don't get the "sound" that I typically associate with air in the system like I used to hear on my old explorers or always make fun of my friends with older Rangers...

 

[vegasloki]

Yeah Kris Chock is you guy for steering on these cars. He’s still pretty analog > best to give him a call. Many here will vouch. He did my box and I don’t normally send stuff out unless it needs a big time pro.

Classic Mustang Disc Brake Conversions and Power Steering

 

[CHOCK]

Be very glad to help with PS.
Yes, I'm old school. Telephone is my tool for communicating. No way I can one finger type the questions I need to ask to get a clear conscience of need .

 

[sirhk100]

Totally understand! I'll touch base with you here once I get my current garage project up and running. The steering still works fine as long as I don't screw with it without the motor running which is typically pretty easy to avoid obviously! But once I get in a position where I can justify having it down for a bit I'll touch base. Although, I'm dreading pulling that steering box! I've got the kind with the fixed shaft up thru the column so pulling it is kind of a pain. Wish it had a rag joint that's for sure!


Thanks for the link/contact Vegas!!!