Power Steering Problem

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JimMac

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Campbell River B.C. Canad
I picked up a used power steering box and pump for my 65 Valiant . I installed it and I finally got to the point where I was ready to start the engine for the first time. The car has all wheels off the ground and when the engine started the steering did a sharp right turn all on its own. It also made a banging noise. I turned the wheel back and when I let go it did the same thing again. I then disconnected the belt to the pump and continued working on adjusting the engine. I just wondered before I pull everything apart has anyone had this happen or does anyone have any suggestions as to where to start looking.
 
Do you know if the fitting that the hoses go into the ps box was ever removed or bumped?
 
Yes, I had did change it because they gave me another with the hoses attached. I guess I should not have done that?
Loosen the bolts and slightly move it to left or right...if I remember correctly and try it again.
 
yep,he's correct-that's the valve body and you have to "re-center" it back up. you don't have to loosen the bolts off a lot .just enough to be able to move it a bit. It will leak a bit of p/s fluid but that's going to happen adjust it,snug it down ,start it,see which way the steering goes trial and error I had one move once while I was driving-I didn't tighten it down all the way once i was done,and almost wrecked my freshly painted 68 Charger the torque from the engine was enough to pull on the P/s hose which in turn pulled the valve body over. Hopefully your valve body has new o rings under it or you may be repeating the procedure if it leaks !
 
The process for this is mentioned in the factory service manual if you have one?
 
As mentioned loosen the two bolts just a small amount. With the engine running, tap the valve forwards or backwards to center the wheel. After it stays centered, rev the engine a little to make sure it doesn't pull one way or the other. it may take some fine tuning. Of course this is with the front wheels off the ground.
 
yep,he's correct-that's the valve body and you have to "re-center" it back up. you don't have to loosen the bolts off a lot .just enough to be able to move it a bit. It will leak a bit of p/s fluid but that's going to happen adjust it,snug it down ,start it,see which way the steering goes trial and error I had one move once while I was driving-I didn't tighten it down all the way once i was done,and almost wrecked my freshly painted 68 Charger the torque from the engine was enough to pull on the P/s hose which in turn pulled the valve body over. Hopefully your valve body has new o rings under it or you may be repeating the procedure if it leaks !
I do seem to have a small leak there too. I will probably take it off and put new o rings in it too and then line it up.
 
As mentioned loosen the two bolts just a small amount. With the engine running, tap the valve forwards or backwards to center the wheel. After it stays centered, rev the engine a little to make sure it doesn't pull one way or the other. it may take some fine tuning. Of course this is with the front wheels off the ground.
Thanks, The car is off the ground as I have been working on it for a few years and this was the first time I fired it up. I still have the breaks to deal with before it goes anywhere.
 
Thanks everyone. This is what I really like about this site. I will leave the steering disconnected until I get all the minor adjustments done now that I have it running and then will put the belt back on and this time will do things right. I have never worked on power steering before so it is great to be able to call on all of you for advice.
 
If you ever need to rebuilt that pump, its only about 5 O-rings.
 
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