power steering questions

[danshaz82]

so this past weekend i replaced my PS rack, with help from this write up:
s13-power-steering-rack-replacement-t384111.html
i got the rack from FRsport and it came with new inner rods, but not ends. so i reused the old ones till i put the s14 set up on.
now the steering feels very tight and i kind of have to put some muscle into. its much tighter than the old rack. i used to be able to turn the wheel with one finger.
now my question is should the steering be that tight? or is it that i was just so used to the old one?
im pretty sure i bled the system correctly too.
its on a 90 s13 with a kade swap.
thanks!

[alms24sebring]

I think as long as it doesnt make noise or leak you should be good. Make sure you turn it from the left extreme to the right a few times. Maybe its tight because its new and unbroken in Just gotta ride her alittle to make her cruise like a Cadillac.

[danshaz82]

thats what i did. went to full lock, held it for 3 seconds, and then went to full opposite lock for 3 seconds and did that about 6-7 times.
and thats what i was thinking. ive never driven an older car with brand new steering so i wasnt sure haha

[danshaz82]

ok so its been a week or so since i put the new rack on
steering is still tight, but i have noticed that the pump is whining. i know its getting fluid and that theres enough in it.
i used ATF, and i think that might be whats causing the whine. any one have an ideas?

[Towncivilian]

ok so its been a week or so since i put the new rack on
steering is still tight, but i have noticed that the pump is whining. i know its getting fluid and that theres enough in it.
i used ATF, and i think that might be whats causing the whine. any one have an ideas?

DEXRON II ATF is specified in the factory service manual, so you should be good with any ATF that meets the Dexron III or VI specifications since they are backwards compatible. Preferably synthetic for better cold weather operation and lowered operating temperatures, and additional resistance against oxidation.

[danshaz82]

DEXRON II ATF is specified in the factory service manual, so you should be good with any ATF that meets the Dexron III or VI specifications since they are backwards compatible. Preferably synthetic for better cold weather operation and lowered operating temperatures, and additional resistance against oxidation.

that was exactly what i was wanting to hear. thanks! i did use dexron III.
but now i have no idea why it would be whining.
somethings i think i could be are
that the reservoir its not high enough above above the pump, because i moved it from the passenger side tower to the drivers side
or that i burnt the pump out when i was trying to get the air out because the hose crimped and i didnt notice. other than that im not sure on it

[alms24sebring]

hmm that might be a problem. How much longer are the hoses? I think they should more vertical than level. Also if they are longer, the pump may be working to hard to push the fluid back into the reservoir. A crimped hose could mean bad news. Was it a new one? If it was then send it back for being defective . If not Im sure you can find one for cheap in the forums. If I still had mine Id send it for the cost of shipping but I think I got rid of it with the motor.

[danshaz82]

i reused the old hoses cause they were in pretty decent shape. i really should have gotten new ones, but i got rushed and needed to finish it.
the one from the res to the pump crimped at first cause it wasnt long enough, so i cut one a bit longer and its fine now. but could that minute without much fluid really have done much damage?
another thing i was thinking is that its too close to the header now since i relocated it.

[alms24sebring]

Take a pic please. I dont think if the res was close to the exhaust it would hurt the pump, Its probly worse for the plastic res itself. Im also having a hard time imagining where its placed since it should have started out on the drivers tower first.

[danshaz82]

ill take one tomorrow at work.
but its a 90 shell, so it was over on the passenger side and i swapped it over when i did the rack.