power steering issue

[qside]

I have a 1963 tbird which came to me as an unassembled project. I have everything done and working except the power steering and the wipers. When I start the car, the steering wheel and front wheels turn hard to the left.They turn to full stop and I cant turn it back to the right while the car is running. After a few minutes the pressure drops and I can move the wheel freely back and forth. I also have no power to the wipers.

I am wondering if possibly the wiper lines are plugged and no return fluid is sent back to the steering pump. Would this cause the steering to behave like it does? I know the return fluid runs through the wiper back to the pump.

I was thinking to run a bypass hose to see if when I cut the wipers out of the circuit I would then get good steering control.

Or should I just pull the steering box and send it off for repair?
Thanks for your help.
I am eager to get this 2 year project on the road!

[kbuhagiar]

I remember seeing similar symptoms on a mid-60s GM car. Turned out to be the lines were reversed.

Any chance that cold be the problem?

[qside]

I thought of that but I believe they are different sized fittings. I will double check. thanks for the input!

[kbuhagiar]

If I remember correctly, the two small hoses that run from the steering control valve to the ram assembly have the same size fittings and could accidentally be swapped; you may want to check there.

[qside]

I will
Thank you.
That would be a stupid but easily fixable mistake!
Gary

[qside]

Nope, the hoses are hooked up correctly. They are indeed 2 different sized fittings so they cant be crossed. also I have pictures to compare.

Any other ideas?

[Alan H. Tast]

1. Is the original-type Eaton PS pump in place?
2. Is the PS fluid reservoir on top of the pump or mounted on the left inner fender?
3. How many miles on the car?
4. What kind of condition are the PS lines from the pump and fluid reservoir to the PS box? From the PS box to the wiper motor?
4. Has the PS pump ever been opened up or rebuilt? Sounds like it might be time to do that.

[qside]

Alan,
Yes it is the original power steering pump, top reservoir
The power steering pump was recently rebuilt and pumps fluid
54,000 miles on car
Hoses look good and still soft, no cracks, but could be original?
I bought the car from an estate so I have minimal past history

I have to still ascertain if there is a possible blockage in the wiper system. The wipers do not work...
I plan to run a bypass hose to take the wiper system out of the circuit to see if that fixes the problem.

[bigbrownpilot]

I'm having no issues with the operation of my power steering on my '63 other than the dreaded groan. My P/S reservoir is mounted on top of the pump. Like me, it groans when it first gets going, but it goes away within a few minutes of driving and then it is quiet and smooth. I've checked the cap and it does have a relief hole that I do not believe is obstructed. My next place to look will be the return line hose which is just hose-clamped onto a hard line at both ends. I plan on double-clamping the hose in case air is getting in that way. Fluid does not appear foamy and the reservoir is full up to the bottom of the neck on the lid. It is not losing fluid. I changed fluid last year. Any ideas on how to eliminate the groan?

Dave

[bigbrownpilot]

I'm having no issues with the operation of my power steering on my '63 other than the dreaded groan. My P/S reservoir is mounted on top of the pump. Like me, it groans when it first gets going, but it goes away within a few minutes of driving and then it is quiet and smooth. I've checked the cap and it does have a relief hole that I do not believe is obstructed. My next place to look will be the return line hose which is just hose-clamped onto a hard line at both ends. I plan on double-clamping the hose in case air is getting in that way. Fluid does not appear foamy and the reservoir is full up to the bottom of the neck on the lid. It is not losing fluid. I changed fluid last year. Any ideas on how to eliminate the groan?

Dave