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When our classics were new, not many were equipped with power steering. It was not a big deal at the time, and anyway, if the car did have power steering, many performance junkies quickly removed it because it robbed horsepower. Here we are, decades later, and now many enthusiasts really want that assisted steering.
While we all enjoy going for a drive in our classic, there is no denying that the ride is nowhere near as comfortable or as easy as driving a late model. Now, we all want those modern conveniences that we have gotten used to having. Such is the case with the once-maligned power steering, and the folks at Borgeson know this all too well.
As obvious as it sounds, many issues can be traced to a worn, loose, or glazed-over belt.
The company has been helping enthusiasts put power steering on classic cars and trucks for years. But adding or improving power steering in a classic does not always go smoothly. These cars are mechanical things, and as such, can frustrate us from time to time. One of those frustrations sometimes involves power-steering issues.
While we all like to think things will always go without issue, sometimes, that really isn’t the case. We often get emails asking questions about power steering issues and problems, so we thought we would check in with the folks at Borgeson and see what they might recommend for certain issues.
When was the last time you changed your power steering fluid?
The most frequently asked question is about why the car is difficult to steer. This is one of many areas in which you’ll want to start by first checking the power steering fluid levels. If the fluid is too low, you should check for leaks and refill the reservoir. Other potential causes could be a loose or worn belt — which will need tightening or replacing — or a power steering pump in need of a pressure check.
If the issue only occurs when steering either right or left, not both, the issue could be in the box. If it occurs when steering in both directions — and the fluid level is correct — You likely have a pump issue. Dirty fluid and clogged fluid lines will also have the same effect.
If your power-steering box is making a whining noise while it’s working, this is a good indicator you need to check the fluid level and/or your power steering belt.
If you feel a jerking in the steering wheel or a vibration, this could be traced back to issues with the wheels themselves. They might need rebalancing, or the tires might simply be unevenly or excessively worn. This can also lead to your car pulling to one side or the other while driving.
The Big Flush
Flushing the system removes all the old fluid and replaces it with clean fluid. Start by emptying the power steering reservoir and adding new fluid. Next, locate a low-pressure line in your power steering system. The low-pressure line runs from the gearbox to the power steering fluid reservoir. Most often, this line is connected to the pump with a hose clamp. Leave it connected to the pump and disconnect it from the gearbox.
Now, feed the low-pressure line to an oil drain pan. Once the line is in the drain pan, start the engine and allow the power steering pump to pull the new fluid out of the reservoir and push the old fluid out of the low-pressure line you disconnected. Make sure the reservoir always has fluid in it to keep air from being drawn into the system.
Once clean, new fluid is running out of the low-pressure line, shut off the engine, reconnect the line, burp the system, and top of your reservoir with new fluid!
Finally, if you are trying to decide whether you can get away with rebuilding your old, worn-out box or whether you should replace it, here’s something you might want to read before you make that decision. As Jeff Grantmeyer of Borgeson once stated, “The problem with rebuilding a steering box from the ’60s and ’70s, is that when you’re done, you still have an old steering box.”
If you have any other power steering issues or concerns that you could use some help with, give the folks at Borgeson a call and they will gladly help you. Also, you can check out the technical page on the Borgeson website for some commonly asked questions and answers.
