'59 Plymouth Forum

Well, I started to back Faulkner out of the garage to wash him in the alley; hmmm... why is the power steering pump complaining, the lower power steering seal was replaced? A backup or two to angle him out, and hey! I've got no power steering!

I man-handle the steering wheel to nose him back into the garage, and get out -- and there's a pool of PS fluid at the entrance to the garage, and inside the garage (thank goodness for the rubber mat you put me onto, Dick!). Looks like the new power steering seal just let go...

It was fine all the way home from Jersey, where my friend Bill Walsh installed it. What can account for the seal blowing -- overtightening, or is it likely I just have a bad seal?

In any event, back to the shop it goes -- after I get a new seal. Any harm in driving 20 miles or so without power steering fluid, providing I can manhandle the steering? (Mostly highway driving.)

Dan

Ed Ober suggested that if I'm going to drive the car without PS, I loosen the PS belt, so as not to run the pump without fluid. It turns out you can easily remove it, which is what I did. And I backed Faulkner out again, and sopped up all the mess from the vinyl mat...

Spoke to Bill -- he can look at the car tonight or tomorrow night. Now to get a new seal -- I bet NAPA has to order it like last time (*sigh*). Oh well -- not looking forward to that drive to Jersey without power steering. My arms are gonna get tired!

Dan

So, what was the reason - any news her?

Stefan

No news yet, Stefan -- hopefully I'll find out tonight...

Dan

sportfury1959 wrote:So, what was the reason - any news her?

Stefan

Tonight I backed Faulkner out of the garage, leaning on the steering wheel, back and forth several times to coax it into the (perpendicular) driveway. You should see the rubber tread on the pavement! Finally I got him into the driveway -- then scooted over to Joisey. Surprisingly, as long as he was moving, turning was no problem at all.

Bill put Faulkner up on the lift, and the problem was immediately apparent -- the C-clip holding the seal assembly into place had popped out of the groove. Apparently it had not been seated properly... This time, we replaced the seal, washer, and C-clip -- and made sure it was seated. We replaced the hoses too, then filled it with fluid, worked the steering side to side with the wheels off the ground to purge the system of air... And Faulkner was turning like a dream.

Driving like a dream too, as I crossed the Ben Franklin Bridge towards home with the sun setting. Faulkner's running great -- just it time for Carlisle.

Dan

now that I've logged on, I can see all the recent postings.
I am happy your p/s story had a happy ending!

Good to hear that Dan, what a relief after all this trouble!