Power steering problem

[68 bronco]

I have a 68 bronco with a fiberglass body after the bronco gets warm the steering sticks. But if it's cool out it works ok.

 

[Bully Bob]

Hi 68, welcome..!!

Discription a bit vague.., can you elaborate..?  (describe "sticking")

The prob. could be in the column, the shaft joints/bearings, etc.  Or the pump or even the box itself.

The more info you supply, the more accurate answers rec'd.

In any case, you'll have to do some looking, listening, maybe jacking front onto jackstands

& doing the same.

Is there fluid in the pump.?

Does it make any noise.?

Have you inspected the tierods/kingpins/knuckle U-joints..?

 

[68 bronco]

When I say sticking like when you go to turn the wheel and it doesn't turn have to try harder. But if it temperature outside is cooler than it works fine it's got a newer pump on it. The fluid is full and I run a external power steering cooler.

 

[Bully Bob]

Sounds more like linkage.., or best guess would be a blown frozen axle U-joint.

 

[Rons beast]

Hey 68,

I know I may get grief for this answer.  But... you can try to back off the power steering box adjustment by just about 1/4 to 1/2 turn.

I know that is supposed to be a factory  adjustment, however many years ago while I was at the GM training facility I remember an  instructor tell the class that an "occasional" binding in the steering when can be the result of the box being adjusted too tight, by a slight margin.  This could be the result of temps expanding metal slightly and  causing a bind.  I know with the cooled and all it may be a long shot, but it's an idea.

Good luck 

 

[Bully Bob]

No "grief" Ron..., ^_^ /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />  just that '68 hasn't reviled any info. about his mech. experience

or his rigs history, mods, condition, etc. --- i.e. no signature.

As so often happens, some folks ask one question, never to be heard from again.

In these cases I hesitate suggesting any techniques that can lead to additional issues.

I somewhat expected 68 to come back & ask "where are these things you say I should inspect..?"

In which case, we would suggest having a shop inspect it for safety reasons. (especially steering)

If you get my drift... /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[68 bronco]

Ron

Thanks for the tip. I will try adjusting the steering box which is mounted to the frame. Sorry I didn't give more info about my bronco or my mechanic ability. I didn't think that that would make a big difference. Your tip makes more sense than checking the linkage seeing that it doesn't happen all the time only when it's hot.

 

[Rons beast]

BB, I know.... I hear ya brother and I'm with ya.  So......68...just try the adjustment in very small increments, as I said , 1/4 to 1/2 turn, 1 turn max!...to see if it could result in correcting the problem.

Good Luck.

 

[Bully Bob]

A bind in the box wouldn't just all of a sudden appear..., unless something deeper in the box is failing.

I wouldn't mess with that pre-set ***** except as a last resort..., after ALL the steering system/linkage

is inspected/tested.., incl. the axle u-joints.

How long have you owned this rig.?

Any idea if PO tightened the set-***** to remove steering play..? (bad idea)

IS there any steering play..?

I had a sticking/binding issue in my rigs steering a couple yrs. ago.

It WAS a blown u-joint on the right front axle.

"Sorry I didn't give more info about my bronco or my mechanic ability.

I didn't think that that would make a big difference"

This   "absolutely" makes a big difference..!   Giving advice to a newbie that could lead to a dangerous

outcome is not our intension.  Especially concerning brakes & steering.

The rig & the owners background is VERY important.., that's why the "signature page" is there.

However, at the end of the day, it's up to you,  good luck.!

B