Power steering cylinder question

MidShark · 02-23-03, 09:05 AM

My '81's power steering cylinder was leaking right where the ram enters the cylinder. I thought that I would just install a new seal kit (9 bucks from NAPA) rather than spend $70 on a rebuilt unit or $150 on a new one. The only problem is, there is a slight groove (cylindrical) worn on the ram that goes about 1/3 of the way around it, at about the midpoint of the travel. I'm thinking it was due to corrosion from the car sitting for a long time at some point. It is not rough, and hardly detectable, but you can feel it when running your finger over it.
Is this destined to leak again if I try to re-use it? Or should I take my chances? If not, what kind of luck has anyone had with a rebuilt one? I seem to remember some unhappy camper stories involving those.

Thanks, Dick

paintdaddy · 02-23-03, 10:31 AM

Ive always had good luck with the rebuilt units.I would do that before I would try using the new seals.Just my 2 cents

Vette/Berlina-coupe · 02-23-03, 11:08 AM

-yes, the corroded portion of the long-piston has indeed damaged your seal, so the thing to do is apply "field expedience" by using a U-shaped 1"-wide strip/belt of fine/emery-cloth or wet type 600-800 grit sandpaper with oil (held at opposite ends and worked vigorously around the corroded portion) until the damage can no longer be felt; -then complete the task with final linear-strokes in that same region so that the seal is not abraided by any circumferential/sanding-strokes. Then clean the shaft and install the seals, plus apply a coating of oil initially to the shaft. If you now drive the car regularly, this fix will work ok because the shaft will be wiped whenever you steer the car, and the NEW seals will absolutely have the compliance to maintain intimate contact with the resulting slightly irregular central portion of the shaft... ~Bob vH

02-23-03, 11:57 AM

Midshark,

I Got a remanufactured one from a local parts store, and It works fine. I was worried as you are about the rebuilt ones but money and time just got me to go get one local and it paid off this time.

MidShark · 02-23-03, 09:38 PM

Thanks for the replies, guys.
I think I'll try Bob's approach and try to smooth it out and go with new seals. I have a lift, so the labor isn't a big deal, just the fluid mess if I have to change it out later for another unit, in which case I'll go with a rebuilt one.
Thanks again, Dick