1st time firring it up!- steering goes back & forth on its own...

[Z06vette]

Violently! I had rubber gloves on & it almost took my fingers with it. Never seen anything like it. LS1 PS pump plumbed into ford cobra rack & pinion. Even if I had the lines crossed, I can't see this happening. Bad pressure valve in rack? As long as you dont touch the steering wheel, its fine. The slightest turn in either direction and the wheel violently rips left, right, left right. What did I screw up?
Thanks for you help.... sorry about the typo in the title, i cant fix it :)
Scott

[dhutton]

As far as I know the LS1 pump produces too much pressure for that rack. I changed mine out for a KRC pump with reduced pressure and flow.

Some information (and a little misinformation from me) in here:

http://www.pro-touring.com/showthread.php?57389-PS-Control-Valve&highlight=KRC+rack

Don

[ProdigyCustoms]

Hoses are on backwards

[Z06vette]

Thanks Frank. Weird thing is, the fittings are 2 different sizes. I ordered a ford pressure line & cut the end off so I could have it brazed to the LS1 pressure line. I have adpater fittings between the ford rack fittings & the LS1 lines so it would be simple to switch the hoses, but the pressure line fitting would not fit in the other hole otherwise. Frank- do crossed lines normally cause such a violent side to side response?
Scott

[camcojb]

Thanks Frank. Weird thing is, the fittings are 2 different sizes. I ordered a ford pressure line & cut the end off so I could have it brazed to the LS1 pressure line. I have adpater fittings between the ford rack fittings & the LS1 lines so it would be simple to switch the hoses, but the pressure line fitting would not fit in the other hole otherwise. Frank- do crossed lines normally cause such a violent side to side response?
Scott
yes, backward lines make the steering work on it's own, very weird to see for the first time.

Jody

[Silver69Camaro]

Yep, backwards lines. Some racks need a rebuild after that, BTW. Thankfully most are OK though.

[GregWeld]

Doing that can ruin the rack.... so keep an eye on it now.

[DFRESH]

Congrats on firing it up--that is great news! Sucks on the rack---oh the highs and lows we have with these things--isnt' it something? Hopefully the rack will be ok. Keep us posted.

Doug

[Z06vette]

Thanks for all the help guys- switched the lines, all seems OK. Won't know for sure until its driveable. Ya- all these mix & match aftermarket parts has been a challenge. I think I'm past the worst. I bought a ford pressure line to use the fitting that goes in the rack- it could only fit in the larger threaded socket in the rack. So I ran the LS1 pressure line to that fitting, since bought a PRESSURE line. Go figure, its actually the return side of this rack. I still am not 100% on what rack this is, but it matched visually to 03/04 cobra. I have a wayne due subframe, and it came with the rack in it. Ford dealer couldnt help me identify it without the metal tag with a part #, which is not there. Well I can move forward again knowing the motor runs, no leaks, good oil pressure, etc. I really appreciate all the help and knowledge I gained from the site in the last couple years.
Scott

[Payton King]

post up a picture of the rack. I am sure someone could identify it for you.

[Vegas69]

I did the same thing but blew my steering input seal. Only Ford would make a red fitting return and yellow pressure.:rolleyes: