1FastHaole
09-22-2007, 05:29 PM
I have a 68 camaro with the DSE power steering set-up--their steering gear and integrated power steering pump and reservoire. I have been working on the car for 3 years now, and the set-up has worked great since it was installed 3 years ago except i had a small leak from one of the braided stainless lines that i cut to fit. I took the line off, cut the end which had the inner lining bent over improperly, which is why it was leaking. I was lazy and didn't take the line completely off the car, but plugged the line and used tape to hold the stainless wires together while i cut the braiding off. I put it back together (no leaks!) and it worked fine. Until i took an extended ride in the car, after about 20 miles i lost power steering. Belt is intact, no leaks, no loss of fluid. Once i got it home, i disconnected the outlet line on the pump (high pressure side) and turned the car over to see if the pump worked. I directed the line into a little glass jar and it poured in as i turned the car over. I also did the DSE recommended air removal process of putting the front tires up and turning them side to side slowly. Still no power steering.
I took both hoses off and there are no clogs, no debris, no problems i can see. I removed the pump from the block and emptied the reservoire, don't see any problems. With both hoses off the saginaw gear, i had my wife turn the steering wheel lock to lock while i inspected the gear, and power steering fluid shot out of the return side of the gear when she turned the wheel both directions.
So i don't have a hose problem, i don't have an air problem, i don't seem to have a steering gear problem, and my pump was pumping fluid at low RPMs (turning car over without starting it). So why no power steering? Is there a way to take the pump to local Napa for them to check it or something? Anyone have this problem with DSE pump?
Anyone got an idea what i need to do next? Haven't driven car in almost a month because of this problem, will need conseling soon! :(
Thanks!
I took both hoses off and there are no clogs, no debris, no problems i can see. I removed the pump from the block and emptied the reservoire, don't see any problems. With both hoses off the saginaw gear, i had my wife turn the steering wheel lock to lock while i inspected the gear, and power steering fluid shot out of the return side of the gear when she turned the wheel both directions.
So i don't have a hose problem, i don't have an air problem, i don't seem to have a steering gear problem, and my pump was pumping fluid at low RPMs (turning car over without starting it). So why no power steering? Is there a way to take the pump to local Napa for them to check it or something? Anyone have this problem with DSE pump?
Anyone got an idea what i need to do next? Haven't driven car in almost a month because of this problem, will need conseling soon! :(
Thanks!