1950s 1954 Cadillac Power Steering Box

[Davidcamper]

Rebuilding an early 1952 pump. Notice where the fluid set while car was stored. It's not as bad as it looks and is not corroded. It will clean up nicely. What killed this pump is what kills all of them, theres no filter and no screens anywhere and gunk as well as heat eventually kill them. Later pumps, about 1954, have screens. Best thing to do is add a fluid cooler to the radiator and an inline filter. Works wonders.

[Davidcamper]

Disassembly

[Davidcamper]

Shaft, bearings and seal.
Valve, spring

[PHIL WHYTE CLC 14192]

I hope the kit now has the correct O ring. The incorrect one that was supplied in the past stops the unit from working. It took me and Art Gardner a long time to figure it out.
Phil

[Davidcamper]

You've got my full attention! Which o-ring? Do you recall? The large one I'm assuming.

[Davidcamper]

I found and read your previous posts regarding this issue. Thanks for all the info. I will be aware of this in the event it doesn't pump.

[Davidcamper]

By the way...... the kit I just received had 4 o-rings, 2 thin, 2 thick. I used the thick. We will see. I'm assuming the thick ones are for 52 and 53 and the thin ones for later ribbed castings. We shall see.

[Davidcamper]

Pump finished.

[PHIL WHYTE CLC 14192]

You've got my full attention! Which o-ring? Do you recall? The large one I'm assuming.

Yes the large one. The replacement one supplied was a thicker section and stops the pump working.

[PHIL WHYTE CLC 14192]

By the way...... the kit I just received had 4 o-rings, 2 thin, 2 thick. I used the thick. We will see. I'm assuming the thick ones are for 52 and 53 and the thin ones for later ribbed castings. We shall see.

My car is 54 and the pump looks the same as the one you're doing. It was quite a while ago now so I don't recall exactly how many seals were used. I can't even begin to explain the frustration that problem caused!

[PHIL WHYTE CLC 14192]

Btw I didn't get a notification that you had replied, I wasn't ignoring you.

[Davidcamper]

As soon as I get this all installed I will let you know. Worse case if it doesn't pump I will remove, open up, and switch o-rings. Just knowing there may be an issue with o-rings is very valuable in cutting to the chase.

[Davidcamper]

I opened it back up and verified I used the smaller thickness o-rings. We shall see. This Texas heat prevents me from installing power steering unit until fall weather. My shop is just a swamp cooler, no ac.