This is a new one for me. This doesn't happen all that often, but if it's just ridiculously cold, like sub-20f, my power steering doesn't work until the car's been running for a few minutes. Does this indicate a problem with the pump, the control valve, ram, etc. or is this just the nature of this old-school power steering system? I've considered that maybe the pump wasn't actually turning, that the belt was just loose and slipping, but that's not what's happening. Maybe the fluid is somehow freezing up due to excessive moisture? As far as I know there's nothing but good ol' Type F in there, but I could be wrong. Anybody else ever experience this?
That's a new one on me too. The only thing I can think of other than what you mentioned is if water makes its way into the valve assembly where the pitman arm attaches (just above the grease fitting for the valve pivot) it might freeze or just stick there. It might just be that the grease is stiff at those temps and the ball and sleeve might not move back and forth when cold.
It feels like it just doesn't have any power assist until it warms up a little. Otherwise it's fine. Another thing it's done before... If I run through a deep puddle and spray water everywhere, power assist goes away for a few seconds. I presume that was a loose belt, but it is no longer loose.
I know its unlikely, but I'll ask anyway. Is the PS belt worn so it rides too low in the pulley groves? Also, rubber is one of the very few things that EXPANDS when its cold. Maybe the belt is looser when its that cold?
When I went to Alaska we were given specific instructions to turn the wheel back and forth slowly until we hit both steering stops before driving, otherwise we would risk damaging the power steering. This was in -60* temps.
I remember that happening to some of muy vehicles when i lived in Maine. I think it's just the nature of the beast. P/S just doesn't respond to cold weather . same as shocks. They are REAL stiff till the move a bit
Same thing I tell my customers. At -20 its surprising these things start,run and move. Let it warm up a bit and dont worry about it unless its a belt issue. Even brand new cars with synthetic fluids have power assist issues when its that cold.
That was my first thought, but I verified this morning it's not slipping. Ah, I should clarify. When I said "sub-20f" I meant "less than 20 degrees." But I can see now how that might have been read as "negative 20" by someone who lives in Canada and actually encounters that kind of temp.
Yeah, I'm gonna do that anyway then, since I never have. What's the best way to go about it on these cars? And is there a good way to bleed the air out when I'm done?
i dont know about anyone else, but im installing power steering to a car that came with manual. so for me, i took every piece apart to paint, and i pulled every hose, blew brake cleaner threw them, then the pump, i opened up the back side,hooked up my drill to the front and ran trans fluid thru it till it came out clean. Efective? i will know more when everything is re-installed.
Sounds like it will work to me. We disconnect the return hose and let the pump empty the system into a container while keeping the reservoir full. On the old Thompson pumps, you can't see how much fluid is actually going in and how full the reservoir is, so be careful not to run it dry. Get yourself a helper to turn the steering lock to lock while doing this and run it until it's nice and red. That will make sure you have new fluid in the valve and power cylinder.
