time to ask the pro's

[mtpony]

I have a strange noise and feel in my steering colum.

when I turn left or right it ratchets (the steering wheel) you can feel it and hear it.

I let the car sit a couple of weeks because I was busy at work and when I started it up today the noise and vibration were not present, but after a couple of turns it re appeared.

any suggestions.

mike

 

[pabear89]

Will have to assume that you have power assisted steering,
The complaint you have is eather low fluid or internal vane wear in the pump.
would need more info to give a better Guess.


PB

 

[mtpony]

yes it has power steering.

and there has been a small leek where the hose connects to the steering box.
I have attempted several times to fix it with no resolve, but the fluid is fine,

so would I be looking at a new power steering pump, and what's the worse that could happen should it go out while driving, no more power steering or more detrimental damage like no more steering box.

mike

 

[mtpony]

bump

 

[pabear89]

If the pump goes south on you,
loss of assist will make it hard to turn.
As the pump pressure falls, It becomes increasingly more turning effort to drive.
just more of a pain in the A-- then any damage.
PB

 

[Fomocohipo]

my ps went south and would poop all of the fluid out if you cranked it too hard, so i just removed the belt. I like the feel of manual steering better except when you are trying to parallel park... thats no fun.

 

[Edbert]

Every 67 I've owned that had power steering on it was promptly disconnected by me. If yours goes out you will not be in danger of crashing unless you panic.

I cannot stand the old power steering at all. Cut the belt and you have the faster gearbox like the handling package came with (16:1 IIRC) and no more wandering over-assisted vagueness of the power setup. Parking lots were only an issue for me in the big-block cars, but hey...I needed the exercise