steering kicks back

[Erik84SVO]

When I am taking a gradual turn in my '84, like a freeway onramp, and transition back to straight, the steering kicks back and feels like it loses power steering for a second. It makes for some pretty unpredictable handling.

It does this all the time, steering both directions.
The car has a brand new PS pump.
The old pump sounded godawful, so maybe it got some debris in the system.

I'm thinking it has something to do with a control valve in the rack that is sticking.


Does anyone know where it's located in the rack? Can it be taken apart and cleaned? Or is the rack junk?

[CP86SVO]

It could be that there's air in the power steering system. An easy way to purge the air is to have the car at idle and the brakes on, and turn the steering wheel, SLOWLY, lock to lock several times.

You may also want to check the tension on the power steering belts too...

I'm sure others will chime in and give you some more advice...

HTH

WS

[KevinK]

I know on the 60s mustangs, if you get one of the hoses crossed, it will do something strange at the far end of the travel. I have not looked at a rack and pinion lately, you might want to double check the hoses if it is at all possible to mix them up.

[65289]

Seems to me (it's been a year and a half since I had it apart) that the lines attached to the steering gear with unique-sized fittings, so you can't mix them up.

[SvoTy]

Erik, my 84 did the same thing and the inner tierod ends were worn completely out. I would guess that the outer tie rod ends are pretty worn also.

When I upgraded my rack to an 86 15 to 1, the Moog rebuilt unit came with new inner tie rod ends attached.


Ty