Months ago I had a steering issue where it was very hard to turn left. As a result I replaced the steering rack and had it aligned. When I got it from the shop I noticed that the steering was:

Generaly Stiff
Didnt want to return to center after turning
If you turned it one direction then quickly turned to the other you would here a clunk/snap sound
The ends of the turning radius are extremely tight

I then tried to fix it by replacing the pump, that made no difference. Even though the mechanic said they blead the system, I thought what the hay and tried bleeding it myself. I triedturning the wheel while the car was off (front end suspended from the ground)When I turned the wheelfluids would come shooting out the resevouir. With the car on, I turned the wheel all the way to the ends and held it there. Foam started to overflow from the pump resevouir. Eventually the foam lessend and lessend till I thought I was done (20-30 minute event). Got in the car to take a drive and it drove beautifuly. All the symptoms went away, the only thing that remaind was that clunk sound, but it became much harder to replicate, infact only when the car wasnt moving.

I became pretty certain that air was in the system and that it had been removed. This morning, all the symptoms came back (nearly as bad as they were). So there are only two things in play from yesterday to today. One, I got the fluid so darn hot after bleeding it that it somehow made it operate the way it should (This seems unlikely, I took it for a twenty minute drive and it never got better) Secondly, air somehow got back into the system (likely).

If I am right, how can air get into a steering system that has a properly filled reservouir? Even after along bleeding process. Im thinking the PS pressurized line, but if its under pressure, how can it take in air, unless its under negative pressure at times. There are pipes on the rack itself, but it is rebuilt (looks new). The rack isnt leaking either. My hope is that it is the pressure line from the pump, there is nothing left to replace.

Thanks for taking the time to read. I hope someone can shead some light on my problem. I was so happy yesterday and now crushed the problem is back today, so any advice is appreciated.

[IMG]local://upfiles/19838/0CCE5DE42B72495B8764FE6D07DDBEFE.jpg[/IMG]

 

1 other thing I would check first seeing from the pic it is a northern car. Look at the coupler going to the rack from the column. See if the little universal joint looks rusty. They seem to get stiff over time. Which I wonder if that is causing the problem.

Also with the airation I wonder if the cap isn't sealing good.

 

The steering column is something that crossed my mind, but the steering went bad one day, good the next, then bad again. It may be an answer to a strange clunk sound, but for the most part I think my problem is hydraulic. I suppose the seal on the cap isn't perfect, but the fluid level doesn't drop down low enough in the reservoir for the pump to gulp air. Im thinking the air might be getting in another way.

Thanks for the response.

 

Uh oh, looks like my thread may have an early grave.
If anyone can help, maybe someone could explain if it
is possible the PS pressure line goes under vaccum sometimes. I just
dont know.

 

I doubt it goes under vacuum.
Maybe it is something with the loop under drivers side front.

 

The loop of pipe looks pretty normal I think. I was noticing that the rubber part of the pressure hose expands in diameter when the wheel is turned, but Im thinking that might be normal.

The logical next step is to start replacing the hoses, wish I knew wich one to start with (still no sign of fluid leaking out).

Does anyone know if the rack has to come out for the hoses to be replaced?

 

The hoses can be replaced without removing the rack.
Does your car have the update loop?

Easiest way to check is to look under the front of the car. Then see if there is a ruber hose looped in a circle around where the oil filter is. If not the updated loop might help. The loop was designed to stop steering shutter when turning.