Steering wheel turns by itself ?

[kcfirstbuild]

I have a 1968 c10 Lwb with a Ram assisted power steering. I recently rebuilt the ram and the control valve. Here is my problem or maybe its not a problem. I filled up the power steering pump with ATF and started the truck. As soon as i started the truck the steering wheel started to turn by itself. So i took a look and the hydraulic ram seems to be moving and turning the tires and the wheel to the right. I should add, i can grab the wheel and it doesnt turn but then i let go it moves by itself again.

Do i have to re-rebuild the control valve or is that the way ram assisted power steering just is. I'm new to this entire project.

[hayhauler71]

Try to turn the steering lock to lock to purge the air from the system. If the pump is making noise shut off engine and wait for foaming of the ps fluid to go away. than start up and repeat procedure.

[cdowns]

do that with truck up on jackstands

[kcfirstbuild]

I turned it from side to side a few times, but not on jack stands. How many times should i do that. I was wondering why it was foaming out the cap. I will try a few more times tomorrow. Thanks

[hayhauler71]

Originally Posted by kcfirstbuild

I turned it from side to side a few times, but not on jack stands. How many times should i do that. I was wondering why it was foaming out the cap. I will try a few more times tomorrow. Thanks

Make sure you top off the fluid tomorrow before starting again.

[Boog]

My experience with the ram assist power steering on a 57 Chevy tells me your control valve should have an adjustment for centering the valve. It may only need adjusted after bleeding the air out.

[kcfirstbuild]

Where is the located ? Is it the lock nut ?

[Boog]

If it's similar to the earlier units it should be the locknut on the end of the control valve. A pic would be helpful but I have none. Seems like it was under a press on dust cap. Make any adjustments in very small increments like 1/8 of a turn at a time as too much can cause the valve to send the linkage into full left and right violent action. So it did on my 57.
I'm not one to tell you what you want. I assume you are restoring and want it all original and that's fine but the slave cylinder power assist steering design does have it's shortcomings. The later integral power steering sector design is still a superior unit and can be installed on earlier trucks.
Good luck with yours.

[kcfirstbuild]

Ok great i'll try that. When i put it back together i wasn't sure on how tight to put the nut back on. So ill try backing it off a little at a time. I think i want to keep this type of power steering because its something you don't see every day.

Thanks for the help. Hopefully it works!

[mbgmike]

Just don't put your hands or arms inside the spokes when adjusting. If not adjusted correct it can twist them up pretty good when it spins. I would upgrade and get rid of it. There is a reason you don't see them much. Unless its a restoration.

[mr48chev]

I would second what Boog said about changing the adjustment. It's pretty common for guys to get that off when they work on those things.
I'd purge the tranny fluid and put quality power steering fluid in the system though. Atf doesn't really work well in power steering and often is the cause of a noisy pump.

[kcfirstbuild]

Ok, so I adjusted the lock nut back and the ram no longer has a mind of its own. I backed it off until the control valve wasn't humming.

I still get some noise when i turn the wheel but I'm guessing its normal cause my wrangler makes a little noise when turning the wheel.

Other then that I think i did it.

Thanks for the help

[Boog]

Glad you got it centered ok. Does it move fairly smoothly from lock to lock?

[kcfirstbuild]

As far as I can tell ! Just not sure about the noise.

[Boog]

Some of these units have a sort of quiver feel to them when turning. Did you find a rebuild kit for the control valve? Not much to them really.

[kcfirstbuild]

Yeah i rebuilt the ram and the Control Valve the weekend before.

[ges55]

Here are instructions for centering.
www.ssbrakes.com/content/images/A0718-star.pdf
The 63-82 Corvette control valve is the same one used on the 67& 68 Chevy trucks.

[kcfirstbuild]

That would have been very helpful a couple days ago. Ha ha but I did just what the instructions said except for getting the wheels off the ground. I can't get them off the ground till spring cause the truck is in the barn. But i was able to watch the Ram until it stopped and i could move it in and out by hand.

thanks for the help

[ges55]

I put one on before & the steering wheel started going back & forth very rapidly & hurt my wife's hand. It's always good to have the directions first.