Problem with power steering

After getting my Mav back from the shop having the power cylinder replaced I now have another leak in the power steering system. It's now leaking from the control valve. More specificly there is a gasket at one end of the control valve and at the tip that faces the floor that is where it is leaking. Now it only leaks when the car is on and in gear. If you let it sit while off or running it will not leak, however as soon as the car starts to move the drips start coming from the control valve. We tested this by me being in the car while my fiance was bent down next to the car. We first let it sit in park running, then tried moving the wheels back and forth. Nothing. Then he had me put it in reverse and slowly let it roll back. As soon as the car started to move it started to drip. Once the car is shut off and cleaned it drips no longer. Now does the whole control valve need replacing or is it the gasket that needs to be replaced? Also we read in the chilton's guide that this particular part regulates excess fluid back into the inlet side of the pump. Is it possible it's now clogged from age and the gasket point is the weakest link allowing it to leak? Just not sure how to go about fixing this leak. Thanks for the help

 

There are two ways that I know of to go about this.

1) Buy a rebuild kit from someone like
www.AutoKrafters.com. (Part number 2071 is the
Control Valve Seal Kit.)

www.PartsAmerica.com also has a complete
rebuild kit. It's part number Powercraft 7885,
about $30.00.

2) Buy a completely rebuilt control valve.

This is what I did. I got mine online through
www.PartsAmerica.com. It's Cardone part
number 286653 for $149.00 plus a $50.00
core that you get back by delivering the core
to a local national parts chain store i.e.
Schucks, Checker, etc.

(NOTE: All the above numbers are based on a 1973
Maverick with a 302.)

Hope this leads you closer to a solution.

 

Al,

I checked out Autokrafters and they sell a new control valve (not refurbished or rebuilt) for around $250. Is this something that can be done by me, and I have some experience but not a lot, or is this something that I should take to my mechanic? It looks simple enough however I have learned that something that appears simple to install often takes hours of fiddling and messing with. Also are there any other parts that should be checked out, filters, traps, metal fittings of anykind or anything else that might need to be replaced? Thanks

 

I'm guessing you're going to have to also rebuild or
replace the power cylinder and all of the hoses,
especially if they are are original or near original
age.

As far as the work, I think you could easily do a
part for part replacement and there are clear
instructions included with the valve.

 

Jerilyn, keep us posted on how it works out for you. I have the exact problem. I have not had the time to get mine fix so I just keep pouring in the fluid. It is at least a bottle a day for each day I use it.

 

bigal3000, This is what she said in the first post.

Jerilyn, Like bigal300 said.

I'm sure you could do it yourself and save. Also like he said. Check your old hoses and determine if you want to buy new ones.

 

When they replaced the power cylinder many of the hoses were also replaced. I am going to call some of my local parts places and see how much the part will run me. I just might attempt to do this myself. Thanks guys.

 

The hardest part is getting the stud from the old valve off of the pitman arm. I didn't use a puller and destroyed my old one (not that I cared..), and the stud had to be knocked out of the pitman arm with a BFH. Before you un-thread the old valve off of the center link, wrap tape around the centerlink at the end of the control valve to mark where it is threaded to, so when you thread the new one on, your alignment will be pretty close.

 

Right on! Just be sure to follow the included
instructions on the adjustment of the valve
after the installation.

Lets us know how it goes!

 

Yep. You were in the '70s.
You must be getting to that senile age like me.

 

LOL Yeah, that's my bag man.

 

Jerilyn
Just to make sure. Make sure you use Type F transmission fluid for the power steering. NOT power steering fluid.

 

Will,

Why tranny fluid?

 

That is what the owners manual calls for. It is thicker than power steering fluid. Power steering fluid is too thin for the old systems. I made the mistake of putting it in my power steering about 10 years ago after I rebuilt my control valve. I ended up talking to someone on the phone about a rebuilt unit, and told them what it was doing. It was easy then hard then easy then hard, you get the picture. He ask if I was using power steering fluid? I said yes, and he said that was my problem. I took off the pump, hoses,control valve and cylinder and drained them all real good. Put type F in and it was all good. That's why.

 

My problem is, I don't know if I need the slave cylinder or the control valve, but I have a major leak. I hope to God I don't need both 'cuz those dang things are expensive...