1953 Ford Sunliner with power steering problem

[1953fords]

I installed a new piston but when I start the car the steering automatically turns the wheels to the left. What is the problem? After that happens it is locked and can't turn steering wheel. Air lock? How do you bleed the piston? Can you do it manually before starting engine. When engine is not running I can turn the steering wheel and wheels turn. Anyone else have this problem?

[Kurt in NJ]

Did it work properly before?
Could you have reversed the hoses
Did you have the control valve apart ( the part attached to pitman arm)

[Merc Cruzer]

What was the issue with the old piston. They can be disassembled and resealed.

My bet would be a blown seal in the control valve, allowing all the pressure/fluid to go one way. Air in the system, will be pushed back up to the reservoir, when you turn the steering wheel lock to lock.

[1953fords]

I put a new gasket on the control valve end. Which is held with two screws. I need to know if I put the piston in the right position for the hoses from the control valve are attached correctly. Does the pistons' left side, were the hoses attach point up or down?

[deuce5wndw]

The centering spring is under the cap with two bolts. Shop manual says the nut should be tightened securely then backed off 1/4 turn.

[Merc Cruzer]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Maybe these will help. Does your new piston have the small tube that goes from end to end? (see picture #2 below) What was the issue that caused you to change out the piston?

[54vicky]

if you only changed the ram then it would be a good place to start by replacing it. or if you have a shop nearby that repairs hydraulics let them rebuild it years ago I bought one out of California that was supposedly rebuilt had same type problem.took to a shop that rebuilt rams and other other parts of the systems.turned out ram had a nice paint job but that was all.after saying that if you played with the spool valve then you will need to get a manual and follow the instructions on adjustments an easy job if you pay attention.good luck

[Merc Cruzer]

I purchased my system from a gentlemen on the east coast, then rebuilt it and installed it in my 53' Merc, that was originally a manual steering system. A few more pages from the repair manual for your review.

You might find this interesting:

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...steering+seals

[Merc Cruzer]

If you want to test the piston in place, (this will be a bit messy) just take the two hoses off the piston and use air. You might want to disconnect the ram, to allow it to move freely. If the ram movies in and out with the air then you will know the issue is not in the ram.

As I stated before, my best guess would be one of the valve spool seals has blown. Even if you just replaced the seals, that would not be a surprise, as the the design was weak, and there is a good chance they have been sitting on a shelf for along time. I initially replaced mine with a set of original seals, that I bought on line. Hence the reason I went with a newer design seal, that also stops the leaking. Remember this was the first year for this style of power steering. Lincoln had power steering previously, but that was a different system.

What I love, is that the return hose to the reservoir, is the same size as the power hose. Early engineering. Yet this same basic system was used even in my wife's 1970 Cougar XR-7. (pictures with the blue oil pan)

[54vicky]

the problem with using a (newer)year spool valve is that you will probably find they used different sized fittings on the ram.you can have a hydraulic shop make new lines just making you aware.the new line will probably be cheaper than aftermarket as they are usually priced high due to people not realizing they can be made.keep us updated I forgot to add the tip about using air to test ram is a good one I have used it since my ordeal with the supposedly rebuilt one years ago.

[1953fords]

got control and piston rebuilt and now it works but hose fittings leak. where do you get new hoses?

[1953fords]

would the hoses from the control valve to the piston be the same as the cougar?

[Merc Cruzer]

Originally Posted by 1953fords

would the hoses from the control valve to the piston be the same as the cougar?

No, by the time the system was used on the 70 Cougar, the return hose was allot smaller. I would take the hoses to the local parts store (I know O'Reilly's here does it), as many of the parts stores can now make new hoses, using your old ends.

[1953fords]

Thanks to everyone who answered to my problem with the power steering. I got the control valve and piston rebuilt by Lares. I only have a small leak now at one hose connection on the piston. I tighted it as much as I could but didn't work. Is there a poundage for the connnections. I may try a new hose.

Thanks again!!!!!