- Joined
- Sep 2, 2012
- Messages
- 1,622
- Reaction score
- 222
- Location
- Blue Springs, MO
- My Car
- 1971 Mach 1, Grabber Blue w/Argent stripes. Original 2V 351C Auto, Tilt, rear defog, Black Comfortweave Interior. Under restoration. Original colors, 4V 351C, 4-Speed, Spoilers, Magnums, Ram Air. All Ford parts.
OK, it's time to go deep in the power steering as I came close to losing my car yesterday.
What I have:
Rebuilt Ford power steering pump from Dorman, and a rebuilt variable ratio power steering box from Power Steering.com
When I put this together I have had a little "float" to my steering at center. It takes a lot of wheel jockeying to keep it in the center of the lane. It actually had a few times that it felt like it wants to power to the left when I start right. (just for a microsecond or so). I also had some slight groaning in the pump. Since I got the carb tuned yesterday and was having better luck with idle I decided to try a closer look at the Power Steering issue.
Upon return from a drive, the car was warm and I attempted to go stop to stop on the steering. I went all the way to the right and attempted to turn left, but it was super tight. I saw my engine idle had dropped so i I gave it a little throttle to help the pump then "POW" the high pressure hose blew out of the ferrule clamp down at the steering box. PS fluid all over that ignited on the hot exhaust. Me realizing I don't know how to get that fire out,(Its a long way down there in our engine bays). Luckily it was the fluid burning on the manifold, and the fire did not seem to damage much else. ( I had to use water to put the fire out)
So I can put another power steering hose on and clean the engine bay, but I want to know what the hell is going on. I have heard of others blowing a power steering hose on this forum. This has never been a problem in the 40 years I have owned the car.
1) Marty at power steering. com thought I may have too high of pump pressure when I told him of the center floating issue. My question, how did Ford make sure no Mustangs had high pressure with these pumps?
2) Does it sound like I have a steering box issue? I am glad this happened inn the driveway, but I just need this to work and not be a risk. Thanks goodness this didn't happen at a cruise night!
3) What do you suggest I do? I am perplexed! Is there a way to dial down pump pressure? Are these reproduction High pressure lines with the shock tower loop poor quality? Did I simply have an air bubble in the system that caused the problem?(Not likely with the couple hundred miles I have on it.)
Thanks for the input.
kcmash
What I have:
Rebuilt Ford power steering pump from Dorman, and a rebuilt variable ratio power steering box from Power Steering.com
When I put this together I have had a little "float" to my steering at center. It takes a lot of wheel jockeying to keep it in the center of the lane. It actually had a few times that it felt like it wants to power to the left when I start right. (just for a microsecond or so). I also had some slight groaning in the pump. Since I got the carb tuned yesterday and was having better luck with idle I decided to try a closer look at the Power Steering issue.
Upon return from a drive, the car was warm and I attempted to go stop to stop on the steering. I went all the way to the right and attempted to turn left, but it was super tight. I saw my engine idle had dropped so i I gave it a little throttle to help the pump then "POW" the high pressure hose blew out of the ferrule clamp down at the steering box. PS fluid all over that ignited on the hot exhaust. Me realizing I don't know how to get that fire out,(Its a long way down there in our engine bays). Luckily it was the fluid burning on the manifold, and the fire did not seem to damage much else. ( I had to use water to put the fire out)
So I can put another power steering hose on and clean the engine bay, but I want to know what the hell is going on. I have heard of others blowing a power steering hose on this forum. This has never been a problem in the 40 years I have owned the car.
1) Marty at power steering. com thought I may have too high of pump pressure when I told him of the center floating issue. My question, how did Ford make sure no Mustangs had high pressure with these pumps?
2) Does it sound like I have a steering box issue? I am glad this happened inn the driveway, but I just need this to work and not be a risk. Thanks goodness this didn't happen at a cruise night!
3) What do you suggest I do? I am perplexed! Is there a way to dial down pump pressure? Are these reproduction High pressure lines with the shock tower loop poor quality? Did I simply have an air bubble in the system that caused the problem?(Not likely with the couple hundred miles I have on it.)
Thanks for the input.
kcmash