Power steering pumps can be dangerous?

[buie1289]

Just an experience, for what it's worth.

Shortly after getting my car running after the engine/trans rebuild, I drove it around the neighborhood a bit. I noticed that the steering wheel was getting hard to turn to the left and super easy to turn to the right. By the time I got back to the house and pulled in the garage, it was almost impossible to turn to the left. I shut the car off and worked on a couple of other things, figuring I would order a new power steering pump the next day. At some point I got back in the car to start it again. I always run my arm through the spokes on the wheel instead of reaching around it when I start it. As soon as the car started the steering wheel spun violently all the way to the right lock. Now I have a big nasty bruise on my arm. Now, if the car is running, it just isn't possible to turn the wheel to the left, in fact, I can shut the car off and turn the wheel all the way to left lock and start the car and the wheel will sail all the way to right lock and there's no stopping it.

I pretty sure a vavle is stuck in the pump, but what if that had happened while I was on the interstate doing, say 75 mph?  With that in mind what if a vavle sticks in any of my other cars while driving?  That just scares the bejeezus outta me.

[62 Max]

My first question would be,did you have the steering box apart?
The centering valve on top of the box will give you the same results if not adjusted properly.The pump only supplies pressure,it is not directional.

[buie1289]

No, the steering box hasn't been out of the car. I only removed the pump when I took the engine out. So, do I need to start "messing" around with the centering valve?

[PA Dodger]

Not much "messing around" involved. Just slightly loosen the 2 bolts on the top of the steering box where the hose attaches and move the valve forward or back a small amount until this problem goes away.Snug the valve up every time before restarting car. Not something to adjust while it's running IMHO.
Dan

[dstryr]

I don't have the service manual handy, but I think front wheels off the ground and bump the engine RPMs up and adjust to where the higher RPMs do not cause the pump to turn L or R on its own.

[Finn]

This is happening to me right now. Just put in a firm feel 2 box and now its spining the wheel full left.

[John_Kunkel]

If the box is self-steering to the left, loosen the bolts slightly and tap the valve up towards the firewall. Do the adjustments with the front wheels clear of the ground.

[Finn]

That's what the solution was, but I read the post before doing it so Ill have to lift the front end up and check it again. Finally drove it today for the first time in about 3 years! 

[268RTs4ME]

Johm is right my RR was doing same thing and he informed me on how to adjust the box, did it with wheels on the ground, and moved vey little toward firewall... My Problems Was Cured. Thanks again John.