The Modern Collectible
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SKINNED KNUCKLES LARES ARTICLE CORPORATION The Modern Collectible by Orest Lazarowich A DETAILED TECHNICAL COLUMN INTENDED TO TARGET MANY MAKES AND MODELS OF POST-WAR CARS AND PICK-UP TRUCKS the steering wheel is not being turned, power Rack and Pinion steering fluid is directed around the rotary valve and out to the reservoir. The pressure is equal on Power Steering both sides of the piston. As the steering wheel is The rack and pinion power steering differs turned, the torsion bar twists and rotates the rotary slightly from the manual rack and pinion steering. valve. The valve blocks the port to the reservoir, Part of the rack contains a cylinder with a piston and fluid now flows through an opening to one in the middle. The piston is connected to the rack. side of the steering gear. At the same time the There are two fluid ports, one on either side of the other side of the cylinder is vented to the reser- piston. A torsion bar directs the rotary valve voir. With fluid pressure to one side of the piston which is connected to the steering wheel. When and none to the other, the piston moves which in RETURN LINE PUMP RESERVOIR Magazine. STEERING COLUMN ROTARY VALVE PRESSURE LINE TO ROTARY VALVE Skinned Knuckles Skinned FLUID LINES FROM ROTARY VALVE RACK HYDRAULIC PISTON PINION JULY 2014 - PAGE 11 Article content provided by Lares Corporation Steering Components • CALL 1.800.555.0767 • VISIT www.LaresCorp.com SKINNED KNUCKLES LARES ARTICLE CORPORATION turn moves the rack and causes the wheels to turn. the high pressure line, and check the pressure When the steering wheel is released the rotary reading. Low pressure readings indicate the valve returns to neutral, pressure equalizes and power steering pump has to be rebuilt or the turning of the wheels stops. The power steer- exchanged. ing pump is designed to provide adequate flow when the engine is idling. As a result, the power Check for power steering fluid leaks at the steering pump moves much more fluid than nec- power steering pump, hoses/loose fittings and the essary when the engine is running at faster rack assembly. The power steering hoses start to speeds. The power steering pump contains a pres- deteriorate from the inside-out, and if they feel sure relief valve to make sure that the pressure stiff, hard or spongy, replace them. If the leaks are does not get too high at faster engine speeds when in the lines, replace the lines. Be very careful so much power steering fluid is being pumped. when tightening the fittings. The rack housing is made of aluminum, and the fittings are steel. It is Rack and Pinion Troubleshooting very easy to strip away the threads by applying just that little bit of extra torque on the fitting. If The lack of power steering in one or both the leak is at the fittings, check the service manu- directions can be caused by a worn or damaged al to see if O-rings or Teflon seals are used, and rotary valve. If the rotary valve housing is worn, replace them. Power steering fluid leaks can also the rotary valve will move (float) from side to be caused by contaminated power steering fluid. side causing erratic steering. The rack will have to Contaminated fluid is dark in color and may cause be removed and repaired or replaced. If the steer- sticky rotary valves. A power steering stop leak ing is heavy or hard all the time, the entire suspen- product may free up sticky rotary valves, but you sion system including rack and pump have to be still have contaminated fluid in the system. Flush checked for wear and possible fluid leaks. If the the system, and change the power steering fluid. steering is soft (loose) and lacks feel or the vehi- cle wanders on the roadway, the problem can be Check for leaks at the pinion seal and rack caused by faulty MacPherson struts, tires not end seals. If the pinion seal shows some fluid matched or the wheel alignment not set right. seepage not leakage and the bellows boots do not Check the steering input shaft coupling. Replace have fluid inside them, you may be able to correct the donut style coupling, if it is starting to deteri- fluid seepage by changing the power steering orate. Check the metal one for rust and/or bind- fluid and adding a power steering conditioner to ing. If the vehicle pulls to the right or the left, the fluid reservoir. Over time the seals and O- check the vehicle alignment, bottom ball joints rings shrink and harden due to heat. The condi- and tie rod ends for wear. Correct the suspension tioner contains additives that will bring the seals problems before you service the power steering and O-rings back to their original size and may pump and the steering rack. prevent seepage. Squeeze the bellows boots, and if you can feel power steering fluid inside the The steering rack mounting bolts must be boot, the bushings and end seals are worn. To tight and secure. Check the rack mounting bush- replace these seals if they are available, the steer- ings. They can deteriorate and cause noise, loose ing rack must be removed. The purpose of the bel- steering problems and vibration. A clunking noise lows boots is to protect the inner tie rod from road Magazine. when the steering wheel is turned to change the debris. If they are ripped, they must be replaced direction of the wheels may be caused by a worn immediately. If there are no signs of fluid leaks, inner tie rod. Soft steering can be caused by a con- check reservoir level and top up, if necessary. stricted hydraulic hose, air in the system, or a Check drive belt tension, and adjust or replace the faulty power steering pump. If the steering wheel belt, if it shows signs of wear. Knuckles Skinned does not return to its normal neutral position after a turn, the rack and pinion maybe damaged. If the Flushing Rack and Pinion Steering Gear steering is heavy only during parking, check the fluid level, steering rack and power steering Raise the front wheels off the ground, and pump. Attach a high pressure gauge in series to set the safety stands in place. Empty the reservoir PAGE 12 - SKINNED KNUCKLES Article content provided by Lares Corporation Steering Components • CALL 1.800.555.0767 • VISIT www.LaresCorp.com SKINNED KNUCKLES LARES ARTICLE CORPORATION of any contaminated power steering fluid. more and you have to replace the inner and outer Disconnect the return hose at the reservoir, and tie rods on both sides in addition to a leaking place it into a clear plastic jug. Plug the return steering rack, it might be wi$er to consider a hose outlet at the reservoir. Fill the reservoir with rebuilt exchange rack. The old core must be the vehicle manufacturer's specified power steer- rebuildable to obtain credit. ing fluid. Have a buddy start the vehicle, and run it at idle. While the vehicle is running keep the If the rack seals are replaceable and if you reservoir topped up. Do NOT run the reservoir can purchase a seal kit that contains all the seals dry. Turn the steering wheel slowly from stop to and O-rings, rebuild the steering rack. However a stop. When the fluid flowing from the return hose high mileage rack will have considerable wear on is clean, turn off the engine, and reconnect the the pinion gear teeth and the teeth on the rack. It return hose. Add a bottle of power steering condi- is also possible that the rack shaft bearing surface tioner to the reservoir. Top up with power steering that comes in contact with the bushings is worn or fluid to the proper level. Start the vehicle, and is bent. If so, replacing the seals and bearings will check for leaks. If the power steering pump not stop the fluid leakage. The bearing on the pin- ‘whines’ or ‘growls,’ there is air caught in the sys- ion shaft and the pinion shaft itself may be worn. tem. To buy all these parts separately is costly and if the rack housing is damaged, you can not repair To remove the air turn the steering wheel the steering rack assembly, you are hooped. slowly from lock-to-lock at least ten times with Replacement racks come in two styles: long and the engine off. Check the reservoir, and top up short racks. Long racks are complete with new with fresh fluid, if necessary. Start the engine, and inner tie rods and tie rod ends, bellows and rotate the steering wheel from lock to lock about mounts. Short racks cost less but the bellows 3 or 4 times. Center the steering wheel, and check boots and tie rods must be in good condition to be the fluid level. If the fluid level has not risen and installed on the short rack. If this vehicle is a sec- there is no foaming present, the air has been ond vehicle used for short trips and the engine, removed. If the power steering pump is still noisy, power train and body have many good miles left, repeat the cycling procedure. If the problem exchange the rack. If it is starting to two-bit you returns after a day or two, carefully examine the to death, buy a steering at the recycler that has pressure hose. A deteriorated pressure hose can come out of a low mileage vehicle.