Power steering sticking - 1952 cad fleetood

[papas52cad]

Ok
I’ll look for the type A...is dextron ATF = to type A
Perhaps there is a ps conditioner still available..can’t hurt looking...
Peter

[J. Gomez]

Ok
I’ll look for the type A...is dextron ATF = to type A
Perhaps there is a ps conditioner still available..can’t hurt looking...
Peter

Peter,

Please see my previous reply below about Type A ATF 

Peter,

The recommended P/S fluid is ATF, Type A was the GM recommendation for the P/S although in today’s time Type A is not available at your local auto part (maybe available from specialize shops e.g. hydraulic or independent oil companies) the equivalent would be Dexron III or VI.

[Jeff Rosansky CLC #28373]

Wonder if the new fluid loosened something up in the pressure relief valve?? Maybe another drive mite help it.
Jeff

[papas52cad]

Thank you again
I’ll get dextron III, and do a double flush after driving a few days with ATF.
Hopefully this will help improve ps even more.
Thanks guys.
Peter
Enjoy photos
The silver one is mine

[papas52cad]

I returned home today, another 180 miles, the first 50-60 the steering stuck about 8 times, not for long but notable.then the rest of the was there were only 3 events, for a while I forgot I had the issue. The sticky or blocked valve seems like a good possibility.
It certainly is random. Overall car drove the way a caddy should. I also used higher 93 octane gas ( unfortunately w/ethanol) but I got a notable improvement in gas mileage, between 14-15.
I will make the switch to dextron lll ATF this week. I’ll come back with a update after another shorter trip to  a local CLC chapter outing.

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

Do you notice the PS fluid 'foaming' when its hot?
I had to flush my system numerous times before the fluid ran red instead of black,
using GM D6, I used almost a gallon flushing, it had never been done. Now The Ark steers like butter.

My flushing was simple, filled the PS pump with fluid, start car, put in gear, foot on brake, turn wheel fully left and right 4 times, shut off. With my car just removing the low pressure line was the easiest, let it drain out, reconnect, re-fill, repeat until the fluid running out was red.
Too much fluid or old fluid will result in foaming and sticky steering.

But what do I know, I'm a chick who's never been to the GN. 

\m/
Laurie

[papas52cad]

Thx Laurie
I have not seen any foaming..but I think I will still do the flush. What is GM D6.
I want to buy something that is similar to the Type A ATF, that was used way back, still looking, if you have a brand name and suggested store, that would help. Although mine is a bit older I.e. 1952.
Good to hear you solved your sticking issue.
Peter

[Jeff Rosansky CLC #28373]

If flushing I just used a turkey baster to suck fluid out of the reservoir, fill and repeat a few times. A little easier and less messy than removing a hose. The older ones have that nice big reservoir so you get a lot of flush each time.
Jeff

[papas52cad]

That is my plan Jeff
Easy enough
Thx

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

Thx Laurie
I have not seen any foaming..but I think I will still do the flush. What is GM D6.
I want to buy something that is similar to the Type A ATF, that was used way back, still looking, if you have a brand name and suggested store, that would help. Although mine is a bit older I.e. 1952.
Good to hear you solved your sticking issue.
Peter

Hi Peter,
General Motors/AC Delco Dexron 6, tranny fluid. Supposedly is backwards compatible with all previous GM tranny fluids. Any GM dealer has it, Summit Racing, etc. Again, your car is a lot older than mine. I'd yield to the folks here with the older cars and their advice. Using a turkey baster works, its just slow (for me). It was so much faster to simply remove the hose on my PS pump, on a '70.
\m/
Laurie

[papas52cad]

TY
I went with NAPA’s dex/merc, which is a dextron 3 formula
Made 1st change, let car run, did the bleed...stayed clear red same as from fresh bottle..I think I will drive a bit, then do another flush.
The old is a mix of the clear PS fluid I put in and likely an earlier( not sure how old) ATF since it is reddish..
We shall see if this results in an improvement
Perhaps my mixing the PS fluid a few months back with older ATF started the problem..
Stay tuned

[papas52cad]

And I did check the temp of fluid after my car got up to temp,  fluid was luke warm... not hot as was suggested if pump was bad etc...
Good news I assume

[Jon S]

Good luck. The PS fluid doesn't take a beating. I changed mine 10 years ago for the first time and it was still clear. Now have the red dexron in there. The turkey Bastet works fine as does a suction gun.

[papas52cad]

Thank you Jon
I will update further info as it happens

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

Made 1st change, let car run, did the bleed...

OK now I have a question:
Doesn't the car need to be in gear and the steering wheel turning left and right to get the fluid freely flowing through the pump and system?
Or are 52's different than 70's?

\m/
Laurie?

[papas52cad]

I have only done it with car in park...perhaps someone can chime in with more insight
Thx

[Roger Zimmermann]

No need to put the transmission in drive. Both systems are independent from each other.

[Jeff Rosansky CLC #28373]

The turkey Bastet works fine as does a suction gun.

Yes, but Uncle Jeff is cheap!!
Jeff

[G Pennington]

1952 was the first year for power steering.  The '52 pumps were problematic from the factory and the pump was redesigned for 1953.  I would recommend acquiring a 1953 pump, have it rebuilt by a competent rebuilder, and swapping it for your '52 pump.  I THINK they are interchangeable, but would have to do more research to be sure.
If the problem persists, you'll know it's in the steering gear.

[V63]

Do the 52 pumps have a screen at the bottom of the reservoir? Might verify it’s clear?

Often rubber lines can ‘swell’ internally and restrict flow.