Power steering... AGAIN

[suki243]

I have had some power steering woes lately, but my last leak had been fixed by a simple hose replacement.

Today while i was leaving a friend's house I start the car and turn the wheel, and I a loud Pop kinda like if i hit the sheet metal with another piece of metal. Then all of a sudden the power steering went out but only when i turned to the left. It was still good with the right turns. So i drove a little with no luck of it getting back to normal , the pump was squealing a little when i accelerated or turned but there was no fluid leaking. I pulled into a parking lot to investigate, everything seemed in tact... As i was pulling out and nursed it back to my friend's house turning left stayed manual but every once in a while turning right would go in and out.

I'm kinda baffled as to what happened, any suggestions or ideas?

As for has this happened before, no the sound has happened but not that loud as this time.

 

[2+2GT]

Hmmm… The only directional failures I can think of are failure of the steering gearbox (internal) where the ball nut assembly has come apart, or a failure of the power steering valve. Have you looked under for obvious things, like the braket pulling out of the frame, etc., yet?

 

[suki243]

I couldn't see much last night, but this morning I saw the issue the power steering ram pushed through its bushing.

 

[2+2GT]

That 'splains a lot. Now, how did that heavy steel washer get through the bracket?

Do you have all the parts shown here?

View attachment 245122

 

[suki243]

The inner steel washer didn't poke through, but the inner rubber one did; Yup, all those parts are there. I'm not sure how it really fits together anymore. I didn't put it together in the 1st place. How does it fit? Yah the ram's rod goes through the rubber sleeve, then the metal washer, the urethane one, that middle piece the bracket, the other urethane, metal, then those nuts. But what keeps the first metal one from sliding all the way down? a weld or is there a nut on the other side as well. Cause that side seemed to have failed.

 

[2+2GT]

Put the ribbed boot on the shaft. Don't forget to install the little clamp on the end. Slide a bushing washer onto the shaft, cup side toward the end. The threaded part is a smaller diameter, so the washer will stop at the shoulder. Slide the steel tube inside a rubber bushing. Slide the rubber bushing and tube onto the shaft. Poke the end of the shaft through the bracket on the frame. Slide the other rubber bushing onto the shaft, onto the tube. Slide the other washer on, cup side in. Spin the nut on, and tighten all the way until the outer washer gets to the steel tube inside the bushings.

I'm guessing this was NOT done properly before, or you wouldn't have a problem now. You'll get a lot of satisfaction knowing you did a better job than the last guy.