Joined
·
12 Posts
I have a retired park service 74 W100 with a 318 that has been having some steering issues for a few weeks. I first noticed the problem while driving home from work and it felt like strong wind had pushed the truck a few times, when I got out it wasn't windy. I replaced the tie rod eds and drag link as the were a bit loose and had an alignment done. I felt better and the shop said it wasn't too far out but they adjusted the toe in. The PS pump would sometimes squeal in parking lots or tight turns, I checked the fluid and it was brown and burnt smelling. I changed out the pump and both hoses and added a filter and fluid cooler. I bled the system with about 6 stop to stop turns and took it out for a test ride. It all felt good, but 2 days later going to work it had an occasional pull again. The steering gear isn't leaking, the rag joint is in good shape as is the other u-joint gizmo on the steering shaft. The sector shaft turns with only a little movement on the input shaft and the input shaft doesn't ride out of the steering box with rotation. Could there be a few air bubbles left in the system, the cooler is a upside down u shape that is attached above the PS pump? The cooler is the high point and air could be trapped up there maybe and causing the intermittent steering wander if the bubble gets into the gear box, my best guess at this point. The other components I changed were due for replacement, so that wasn't a waste, but firm steering is important up here in the mountains especially. If anyone has any thoughts or experiences to share that would be appreciated. Thanks