Ford Falcon. Manual — part 90

211-02-13 Power

Steering 211-02-13

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued)

WARNING: Whenever a repair to the power

steering system is carried out, which may permit

air to enter the fluid lines or the pump, the system

must be purged of air on completion of the repair.

CAUTION: Do not hold the steering gear

against the lock stops for more than 5 seconds.
Several of these symptoms are also common to

suspension, frame, and wheel and tyre troubles. For

this reason, be sure that the cause of the trouble is in

the power steering pump before adjusting, repairing,

or replacing any of the pump parts.

General Diagnosis

Condition

Source

Action

Chirp noise in steering pump

Loose belt

Remove/Repair as required

Belt squeal (particularly noticeable at

Loose belt

Remove/Repair as required

full wheel travel and standstill parking).

Excessive back-pressure in hoses or

Growl noise in steering pump

Remove/Repair as required

steering gear caused by restriction

Growl noise in steering pump

Scored pressure plate, thrust plate or

Remove/Repair as required

(particularly noticeable at full wheel

rotor.

travel and standstill parking).

Extreme wear of pump ring and vanes.

Low oil level.

Groan noise in steering pump

Remove/Repair as required

Air in the oil. Poor pressure hose
connection

Rattle noise in steering pump

Vanes not installed properly.

Remove/Repair as required

Momentary increase in effort when

Low oil level in pump

Remove/Repair as required

Pump belt slipping

turning wheel fast to right or left.

High internal leakage. Valve or gear
cylinder

Steering wheel surges or jerks when

Low oil level

Remove/Repair as required

turning with engine running, especially

Loose pump belt
Insufficient pump pressure

during parking

Sticky flow control valve

Hard steering or lack of assist,

Loose pump belt

Remove/Repair as required

Low oil level in reservoir.

especially in parking.

Steering gear to column misalignment
Tires not properly inflated

NOTE: If checks 1 through 4 do not

reveal cause of hard steering, follow
the Power Steering Test Procedure.

Further possible causes could be:

Sticky flow control valve
Insufficient pump pressure output
Excessive internal pump leakage
Excessive internal system
leakage

Foaming milky power steering fluid,

Air in the fluid, and loss of fluid due to

Remove/Repair as required

low fluid level and possible low

internal pump leakage causing

pressure

overflow.

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211-02-14 Power

Steering 211-02-14

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued)

Condition

Source

Action

Flow-control valve stuck or inoperative

Low pressure from steering pump

Remove/Repair as required

Pressure plate not flat against pump
ring
Extreme wear of pump ring and vanes
Scored pressure plate, thrust plate or
rotor
Vanes not installed properly
Vanes sticking in rotor slots
Cracked or broken thrust or pressure
plate

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211-02-15 Power

Steering 211-02-15

GENERAL PROCEDURES

4. Fill pump reservoir to COLD FULL mark on

Start of Procedure

dipstick. Using auxiliary starter switch, crank

After Power Steering Pump or Gear Overhaul

engine, while cycling steering wheel from

lock-to-lock. Check fluid level.

After engine start up, follow these steps to eliminate

5. Tightly insert the rubber stopper of the air

excessive steering system noise due to air trapped in

evacuator assembly into pump reservoir fill neck.

the system during service:

6. Apply 51 kPa (15 in-Hg) maximum vacuum on

1. Disconnect the starter solenoid activation wire.

pump reservoir for a minimum of three minutes

2. Connect the remote starter switch wiring the

with the engine idling. As air purges from system,

starter solenoid and the battery positive terminal.

the vacuum will fall off. Maintain adequate

3. Ensure the Power Steering Pump Reservoir is full.

vacuum with vacuum source.

4. Crank the engine, using the remote starter switch, 7. Release vacuum and remove vacuum source. Fill

and add fluid until the level remains constant.

reservoir to COLD FULL mark.

5. While cranking the engine, rotate the steering

8. With engine idling, apply 51 kPa (15 in-Hg.)

wheel from lock-to-lock.

vacuum to pump reservoir. Slowly cycle the

NOTE: Front wheels must either be off the floor or

steering wheel from lock-to-lock every 30 seconds

on free running turntables during lock-to-lock

for approximately five minutes. Do not hold

rotation of the steering wheel.

steering wheel on stops while cycling. Maintain

adequate vacuum with vacuum source as the air

6. Check the fluid level and add fluid if necessary.

purges.

7. Disconnect the remote starter switch, reconnect

9. Release vacuum and remove vacuum equipment.

the starter solenoid activation wire and start

Add additional fluid if necessary. Install dipstick.

engine, allow it to run for several minutes.

10. Start engine and cycle steering wheel. Check for

8. Rotate the steering wheel from lock-to-lock.

oil leaks at all connections. In severe cases of

9. Switch engine off and check the fluid level. Add

aeration, it may be necessary to repeat Steps 5

fluid if required.

through 9.

10. If air is still present in the steering system, purge,

Flushing Power Steering Pump (I6)

as described in diagnosis section.

If dirt is found in power steering gear, flush pump as

Remedying Pump Noise

follows:

The most common noise complaint is a moan or

1. Making sure all other hoses are connected,

whine noise (refer Symptom Chart) which in most

disconnect pressure hose at gear.

cases is caused by air trapped in the system.

2. Place end of hose in a container.

The system must be purged of air promptly to prevent

3. Fill reservoir with Power Steering Fluid Mobil 424

permanent damage to the pump.

or equivalent that meets spec. ESN-M2C-134D.

If the air purging operation only temporarily

4. Disconnect the starter solenoid activation wire.

overcomes the noise, check for faults that could

5. Connect a remote starter switch to the starter

cause entry of air into the system.

solenoid.

Purging Power Steering System of Air

6. While adding approximately 2 litres of fluid, crank

the engine using the remote starter switch. When

Air trapped in the power steering system, which

all fluid has been added cease cranking engine.

causes a whine or moan-type noise, can be removed

by using a power steering pump air evacuator

7. Re-attach pressure hose at gear.

assembly (devac tool).

8. Check fluid level, add as required.
9. Remove remote starter switch and reconnect

CAUTION: Under no circumstances should

starter solenoid wire.

engine vacuum be utilised.
1. Check and fill the pump reservoir with Power

Flushing Power Steering Gear (I6)

Steering Fluid Mobil 424 (or equivalent that meets

NOTE: Always flush power steering gear when

spec. ESN-M2C- 134D) to the COLD FULL mark

replacing pump due to fluid contamination.

on pump dipstick.

1. Disconnect fluid return hose at pump and place

2. Raise vehicle front wheels from floor.

end in a container. Plug return hose nipple on

3. Install an auxiliary starter switch in starting circuit.

reservoir.

With ignition switch in the OFF position, and using

2. Fill reservoir with Power Steering Fluid Mobil 424

auxiliary starter switch, crank engine.

or equivalent that meets spec. ESN-M2C-134D.

3. Disconnect the starter solenoid activation wire.

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211-02-16 Power

Steering 211-02-16

GENERAL PROCEDURES (Continued)

4. Connect a remote starter switch to the starter

solenoid.

5. Raise the vehicle front wheels off floor.
6. While adding approximately 2 litres of fluid, crank

the engine using the remote starter switch, whilst

turning steering wheel from lock-to-lock. When all

fluid has been added cease cranking engine.

7. Lower

vehicle.

8. Remove remote starter switch and reconnect

starter solenoid wire.

9. Remove plug from the reservoir return hose

nipple. Attach return hose to nipple.

10. Check fluid level. Add fluid if necessary. Do not

overfill reservoir.

11. Start engine and turn steering wheel slowly from

lock-to-lock several times. Check fluid level and

adjust as required.

12. Check for air in system. If so purge system as

explained in this chapter.

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