Posted By: 68bb
PS gearbox and pump replaced, now steering stiff? - 08/14/12 12:49 AM
Hello
This is on my 70 dart swinger. After the PS gearbox and pump were replaced with reman units the steering feels different, like there is less power assist. The steering wheel feels like it doesn't return to center like it used to. Do new units take a while to loosen up? Could there be an adjustment needed? Also added was a PS filter, would that make any difference? I am going to schedule a front end alignment to make sure caster is ok. Still though the steering feels like it has less assist and I wonder if anyone else has had similar experience?
thanks
Posted By: west
Re: PS gearbox and pump replaced, now steering stiff? - 08/14/12 01:44 AM
The power steering unit has adjustments on it. Also make sure the belt isn't too tight.
Posted By: Challenger 1
Re: PS gearbox and pump replaced, now steering stiff? - 08/14/12 01:45 AM
What kind of upper control arms are you using?
Posted By: 68bb
Re: PS gearbox and pump replaced, now steering stiff? - 08/14/12 03:14 AM
The upper control arms are whatever came stock on a original power steering dart swinger, car has 40k orig miles. Not sure if that answers the question. I'd also like to hear more about the adjustments please. Also I'll take a look at the FSM tomorrow, it 's just helpful at times to hear others first hand experiences.
thanks
Posted By: 62maxwgn
Re: PS gearbox and pump replaced, now steering stiff? - 08/14/12 03:27 AM
The pump if not 100% the same as the original application can give you a problem.Even though they look the same they have different operating pressure for different applictions,they can vary anywhere from 600lbs to over 1200lbs in operating pressure.The lower the pressure,the more steering effort required.
Posted By: 68bb
Re: PS gearbox and pump replaced, now steering stiff? - 08/14/12 03:33 AM
That's a good point I will double check about the pump. Could the addition of a PS filter be an issue as there wasn't one originally?
thanks
Posted By: ahy
Re: PS gearbox and pump replaced, now steering stiff? - 08/14/12 04:49 AM
Can you explain a little about the reman units source... NAPA, Autozone, FF ect?
I would not expect the filter to matter. It should be on the return. Unless the reservoir is running dry, it should not change steering effort.
Lack of "feel" could reflect the way the box was re-built. Increased effort may reflect the box or pump. A lot of folks - me included - like more feel and more effort. Less feel and more effort not so good.
As for adjustments, the PS boxes have some but a rebuilt box should be set from the rebuilder... changing it may void the waranty. You can adjust the backlash. Too tight binds up the steering and increases effort. Too loose is sloppy. If the working part of the box is worn tightening the backlash in an effort to compensate can result in the problem you are having.
Posted By: Andrewh
Re: PS gearbox and pump replaced, now steering stiff? - 08/14/12 07:59 AM
the other possiblitly is the valve at the top. where the 2 hoses come in.
sometimes that needs to be adjusted, or if you swaped that off your old box onto the new one, it may not be adjusted properly.
Posted By: 68bb
Re: PS gearbox and pump replaced, now steering stiff? - 08/14/12 12:03 PM
Thanks for all the possibilities to look into. The PS gearbox is a reman Cardone unit and it came with the valve on top included. Did some looking around on the net, which I should have done first, and see the reputation of these remans from them is not good.
Posted By: stumpy
Re: PS gearbox and pump replaced, now steering stiff? - 08/14/12 05:55 PM
Have you tried loosing the adjustment on the gear box a little. It may have been set too tight.