Power Steering leaks

[elpasorabo]

My 55 has more power steering related leaks than the old tin roof on our ranch barn. So I would like to take a shot at rebuilding the whole system. Is anyone aware of a paper or tech sheet that someone has done that can walk me through the whole rebuild process from pump to ram cylinder? I suspect some dummy put actual power steering fluid in it, which is so thin it worked its way out every crevice.

[paul2748]

Before rebuilding, I would get as much of the old fluid out as possible and replacing it with Type F trans fluid. Maybe the leaks will go away.

[HeadacheGuy]

I'm a flair bird guy but I did a handfull of these quite a few years ago. If money is not an issue get the rebuilt parts form a Tbird house. The problem I for see with doing it your self is corrosion on the sealing surfaces. Age when sitting is a bad thing. New seals will slow the leaks down but not cure it. The rebuilders can build up and recut the sealing surfaces. If you do it yourself find a machine shop to do that part for you but you may find the expense makes it questionable at that point as they may charge up to a hundred bucks a piece. In the mean time if you want to drive it use Lucas power steering stop leak or some Trans X (NAPA has it). They are a petroleum distalite that re expands seals and works pretty good. I am not trying to talk you out of it. The process may go just fine. Just want to make you aware of the crap that can pop up. Good luck

[elpasorabo]

Thanks Headache guy I suspected it was going to be a pain as there is so many places it can leak. In talking with others it appears I am not alone and most people just try to stop as many as they can but kind of live with it. I have two baby's a 57 and a 55 and both of them leak although the 57 seems to leak less and only in a couple spots. The 55 is like everywhere there is a gasket or connection it is leaking. But thanks for the advice. I was just not sure anyone ever did a technical paper on it or something as it is a rather common problem.

[Ed Raabe]

Thanks for the info I think this answers by question about the leaky ram cylinder

[Ed Raabe]

Hi I am replying to the tip about adding Lucas power steering stop leak to my 55 system
BTW I always use F type trans fluid. The Lucas is like honey, so far ,so good I squirted a few table spoons and suddenly the reservoir level dropped to almost nothing and the fluid was all on the floor leaking from the ram cylinder. I ran the car at idle that way for a few minutes. Cranked the wheels all the way each way holding it for a few seconds. Filled up the reservoir to the bottom of the gadge mark with F fluid and ran it. The level is holding. Do I dare add more Lucas??? Or just add some more F fluid and drive it for a while to see what happens?

[Ed Raabe]

Bummer guys. tried TransX and all the fluid ran out again. I don't think either treatment works with the Early Bird systems. Now that it's bone dry I'll add F trans fluid and see how it holds up. Any recommendations on a replacement Ram tube?

[Rusty1]

Well this makes ME wonder, are these units only supposed to have F type fluid in them. I know the tranny MUST have F type but I thought the PS could use other like Dex III. Haven't driven the car yet so will drain it out if it is not the right stuff. Pump, reservoir, control valve all rebuilt and a new ram, sure don't want to screw 'em up. Before I could put fluid in and watch it run out 2 sec. later. BTW Casco advises NOT to try a rebuild of the ram. They require some special machining and/or sleeving to make 'em right, not worth the hassle or the cost to not get it right.

Rusty1

[Ed Raabe]

Rusty , believe me, you must run F tranny fluid in the power steering systems that originally called for A Trans Fluid. Power steering fluid is wrong to use. And against better advice I put the Power steering stop leak stuff in. It was no really surprised it all came out. With that being said, I just got the ram tube resealed and I will be reinstalling it. It is OK to re-seal the ram as long as the shaft is not bent, which mine was not. Hopefully I didn't damage the control valve module too. Drain it out and maybe pour some F through it just to wash it out. The stuff is cheap.

[Rusty1]

That being said should I run type A fluid or is type F better?

Rusty1

[Ed Raabe]

Rusty you can not get A anymore
F replaces it

[Rusty1]

I GOOGLED it and it came up on Amazon. Is it not the same. Is the new type A different than the old type A?? It was $7.34 a qt. ??????

Rusty1

[Rusty1]

Another note: did some research on type A and found this: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automatic_transmission_fluid . Interesting read. Type A was a GM fluid originally. Replaced by Dextron and revised to DextronIII. A 50/50 mix of type F and Dextron will give an exact copy of the old type A. I can see how it would make a difference in a tranny but not in a PS system. Might have something to do with compressability. (is that a word) Rechecked with Amazon and the price is around $14 a qt. or you can get it for $34 for 12. 12 qt.'s would far outlast me, even if I changed it once a year. Any other opinions on this??? I think I may call Casco and see what they say.

Rusty1

[Ed Raabe]

I Guess "can't get it anymore" is a relative thing. I know I have been told to use F Type in the transmission and the PS, because A was not made anymore. If F works, which it does, it is much cheaper. Let me know what CASCO says. I put the system back together today....
Maybe someone else has an opinion about the A Type you found on AMAZON. Ed

[Ed Raabe]

I have been reading up now also and I read TYPE A was replaced by Dextron
and also TYPE F
What?