1957 Ford Y-block. With idle speed even slightly over specifications my power steering is giving no power. Drive belt OK, rebuilt control valve, no leaks, no noise. When I rise engine rpm slightly it´s beginning to help steering. Problem is worse with everything in normal working temperature.

The only part of the power steering I don´t know anything about is the pump. I bought it used when converting my car to power steering and it was said to be rebuilt but that could of course mean that just the seals have replaced. My question is:

Can the problem be the pump being worn internally so that it gives too low pressure at idle? Do they generally lose pressure with age and wear? Are there any rebuild kits to cure this or are the kits just for re-sealing? I think my pump is the Eton type with reservoir on top of pump but not sure.

hi Monterey

i've only found kits offering seals. i've posted one or two enquiries but never had a reply. the pump i got is a later model (243a) i got from Vaderhaags a 73 L700 truck. i wanted it cause it had the cooling coils. there apear to be two basic designs 1 a rotor type like the gerotor oil pump and 2 a roller type which is what i have,

when i stripped mine out i found the six rollers were showing signs of wear ie the hard chrome was breaking up, i had them rechromed

the rotor was showing wear in that two grooves were worn into the rotor face i have tried unsuccessfully to make a replacement (i only have an ancient pillar drill)

the internal cam is probably worn but the surface is smooth and the rollers move in and out ok.

seals in the two kits i purchased were O ring style but the seals in the pump were flat washer style. i had these made locally for peanuts.

bearings and lip seals i got from a local bearing shop they appear to be standard sizes.

if you do strip your pump out one thing to be aware of is the cam slips out quite easy and is prevented from rotating by a small pin which also drops out easy and is easily lost!

rebuilt pumps are available for about $400 from people like Steering inc may be they make the cam pack!!

http://www.stangerssite.com/CanIEatonPump.html

http://www.flyingspares.com/shop/cam-kit-steering-pump-cd2834.html

look at the price of flying spares parts, RR prices and it was 0.7" deep my pump rotor is 0.9" deep

i have as yet to run my pump so i cannot say how sucessful my labours have been

good luck

stuey

UK