Yet another... Power Steering Woes Thread!

[xyoufailmex]

Alright, lets make this easy to sort out and easy to understand

Setup:1992 RB20DETKA24DE pumpKA24DE bracketKA24DE stock linesstock steering rack

Ok, so, the belt is hooked up, the system is full of ATF. The pump turns, no belt squeeling. BUT, no power steering assist at all. May as well not even be hooked up. Im fresh out of ideas... just wondering if some of you might have some thoughts. Track day coming up in 9 days and I really dont feel like trying to enjoy myself without power steering.

[gawdzilla]

pump could just be dead. not terribly uncommon. try swapping another one in, should be easy enough to find. if it's turning and fluid isnt just shooting all over the place, it should work.

[Carl H]

was the rack dry?if the rack was dry it may take a few rolls back and forth lock to lock to get it going again.

[xyoufailmex]

Theres a slight angle to the pump and crank, but the belt isnt popping off... would this be enough to kill the PS unit? I bought this as an entire motorset, so I dont know if the PS pump once worked or not. It IS a DOHC KA pump bracket and hose assembly.

And no, its been several months of trouble shooting, and finally Im just posting. The rack wasnt dry anyhow, nonetheless, its seen several turns Searching has turned up nothing.

[Darius]

Is the fluid foaming in the reservoir or anything like that. Any indication of air in the fluid?

[xyoufailmex]

No, the fluid is actually fairly still... which it should be atleast swooshing and bubbling. Ive bled the PS system completely. I took the belt off and pried on the pulley with a tire iron, and there was no play in it. Is it possible that its because the belt is angled? I can take pics tomorrow when its light outside and not raining. Maybe its not gripping the pulley and spinning it correctly? Even then I should have either a belt squeeling, or SOME power steering, right?

[Carl H]

a properly functioning system will show little if any movement of fluid in the resivor.

[foulplay]

Ok, so, the belt is hooked up, the system is full of ATF.

Shouldn't you be using power steering fluid?

[Darius]

I think you should be using dexron 3 right?

Either way, prying on the pulley isn't going to accomplish anything but ruining the pump or at least the snap ring, so don't do that anymore. However, since you say the fluid isn't moving, I would have to say that there is something wrong with the pump. OR the suction line is somehow kinked or blocked.

[foulplay]

I think you should be using dexron 3 right?

That seems mind bottling (It's like all your thoughts are trapped in a bottle). I never knew you could do that. I have been using power steering fluid. Is there any benefit to using ATF?

[Carl H]

ps fluid = atf.

[Darius]

Know what sucks?

I finally stopped the suction side air leak on my pump, which was thru the pulley shaft seal btw. But my PS still doesn't assist. I'm now beginning to wonder if running all that air thru the rack didn't ruin the seals. What an effing messy job to do. Might have to wait that one out until winter. yuck.