1968 Power Steering control valve leaking after rebuild

[admin]

I rebuilt my factory power steering control valve over the weekend and thought it went pretty well. All was straight forward with the rebuild, but I screwed up when reinstalling the two short hoses connecting the control valve and the slave cylinder. (I know, I know. I swear I looked at my "before" photos and matched them, but obviously not. )

Anyway, I installed the short hoses backwards, so when I started up the engine and tried turning the steering wheel, it started violently & rapidly turning left and right. I shut off the engine immediately, but I don't know if this could have caused any damage to the control valve.

So I swapped the short hoses and tried again. No violent shaking and the steering wheel turns as expected. But I have 2 significant leaks (a drip every couple of seconds). The leaks aren't at the hose fittings, where I would expect them. The 2 leaks are... (1) where the control valve sleeve threads onto the center link and... (2) where the valve housing bolts up to the valve sleeve.

Those seem like very odd spots to leak to me because the valve sleeve shouldn't be exposed to any PS fluid, only grease for the ball stud (unless I'm just completely misunderstanding the system)

So I'm wondering if one of the "valve spool seals" is leaking (a lot) and PS fluid is getting into the valve sleeve and making it's way out wherever it can.

 

[stangfan]

I'm no expert, but would the white tape sealer that is used on threaded fittings work?

 

[Ruppstang]

Hats off to those who try to do everything themselves. For me I find those that are experts and know all the trick and know how to fix the problem. Sometimes things are worn beyond fixing.
Rodger Rhodes in Ohio is the man for power steering.

Rode's Restoration​

1406 Lohr Rd, Galion, OH 44833
(419) 468-5182

 

[admin]

I'm no expert, but would the white tape sealer that is used on threaded fittings work?

The issue is that it isn't leaking from any of the line fittings. It seems to be leaking from the valve housing, into where the ball stud goes, which shouldn't see any PS fluid if everything is sealed up as it should be.

Hats off to those who try to do everything themselves. For me I find those that are experts and know all the trick and know how to fix the problem. Sometimes things are worn beyond fixing.
Rodger Rhodes in Ohio is the man for power steering.

Thanks for the suggestion Marty. I've seen his name mentioned a few times, but always in threads 10+ years old, so I wasn't sure if he was still in business.

I understand we all get different things out of this hobby. For me, doing the work myself is most of the fun... even if it is exasperating sometimes!

 

[speedy02]

@admin, where did you buy your rebuild kit from?

 

[admin]

CJ Pony Parts... I believe.