Steering wheel turns by itself ? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

kcfirstbuild · 11-14-2009, 08:09 PM

I have a 1968 c10 Lwb with a Ram assisted power steering. I recently rebuilt the ram and the control valve. Here is my problem or maybe its not a problem. I filled up the power steering pump with ATF and started the truck. As soon as i started the truck the steering wheel started to turn by itself. So i took a look and the hydraulic ram seems to be moving and turning the tires and the wheel to the right. I should add, i can grab the wheel and it doesnt turn but then i let go it moves by itself again.

Do i have to re-rebuild the control valve or is that the way ram assisted power steering just is. I'm new to this entire project.

hayhauler71 · 11-14-2009, 08:25 PM

Try to turn the steering lock to lock to purge the air from the system. If the pump is making noise shut off engine and wait for foaming of the ps fluid to go away. than start up and repeat procedure.

cdowns · 11-14-2009, 08:34 PM

do that with truck up on jackstands

kcfirstbuild · 11-14-2009, 08:53 PM

I turned it from side to side a few times, but not on jack stands. How many times should i do that. I was wondering why it was foaming out the cap. I will try a few more times tomorrow. Thanks

hayhauler71 · 11-14-2009, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcfirstbuild

I turned it from side to side a few times, but not on jack stands. How many times should i do that. I was wondering why it was foaming out the cap. I will try a few more times tomorrow. Thanks

Make sure you top off the fluid tomorrow before starting again.

**Boog** · 11-14-2009, 11:22 PM

My experience with the ram assist power steering on a 57 Chevy tells me your control valve should have an adjustment for centering the valve. It may only need adjusted after bleeding the air out.

**mr48chev** · 11-15-2009, 12:45 PM

I would second what Boog said about changing the adjustment. It's pretty common for guys to get that off when they work on those things.
I'd purge the tranny fluid and put quality power steering fluid in the system though. Atf doesn't really work well in power steering and often is the cause of a noisy pump.

kcfirstbuild · 11-15-2009, 10:45 PM

Ok, so I adjusted the lock nut back and the ram no longer has a mind of its own. I backed it off until the control valve wasn't humming.

I still get some noise when i turn the wheel but I'm guessing its normal cause my wrangler makes a little noise when turning the wheel.

Other then that I think i did it.

Thanks for the help

**Boog** · 11-15-2009, 11:23 PM

Glad you got it centered ok. Does it move fairly smoothly from lock to lock?

kcfirstbuild · 11-15-2009, 11:36 PM

As far as I can tell ! Just not sure about the noise.

**Boog** · 11-16-2009, 12:01 AM

Some of these units have a sort of quiver feel to them when turning. Did you find a rebuild kit for the control valve? Not much to them really.

11-14-2009, 08:09 PM	#1
kcfirstbuild Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Red Wing Mn Posts: 526	Steering wheel turns by itself ? I have a 1968 c10 Lwb with a Ram assisted power steering. I recently rebuilt the ram and the control valve. Here is my problem or maybe its not a problem. I filled up the power steering pump with ATF and started the truck. As soon as i started the truck the steering wheel started to turn by itself. So i took a look and the hydraulic ram seems to be moving and turning the tires and the wheel to the right. I should add, i can grab the wheel and it doesnt turn but then i let go it moves by itself again. Do i have to re-rebuild the control valve or is that the way ram assisted power steering just is. I'm new to this entire project.

11-14-2009, 08:25 PM	#2
hayhauler71 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: St. Paul MN. Posts: 1,996	Re: Steering wheel turns by itself ? Try to turn the steering lock to lock to purge the air from the system. If the pump is making noise shut off engine and wait for foaming of the ps fluid to go away. than start up and repeat procedure.

11-14-2009, 08:34 PM	#3
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Steering wheel turns by itself ? do that with truck up on jackstands __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

11-14-2009, 08:53 PM	#4
kcfirstbuild Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Red Wing Mn Posts: 526	Re: Steering wheel turns by itself ? I turned it from side to side a few times, but not on jack stands. How many times should i do that. I was wondering why it was foaming out the cap. I will try a few more times tomorrow. Thanks

11-14-2009, 11:22 PM	#6
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,584	Re: Steering wheel turns by itself ? My experience with the ram assist power steering on a 57 Chevy tells me your control valve should have an adjustment for centering the valve. It may only need adjusted after bleeding the air out. __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

11-15-2009, 12:45 PM	#7
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,756	Re: Steering wheel turns by itself ? I would second what Boog said about changing the adjustment. It's pretty common for guys to get that off when they work on those things. I'd purge the tranny fluid and put quality power steering fluid in the system though. Atf doesn't really work well in power steering and often is the cause of a noisy pump.

11-15-2009, 10:45 PM	#8
kcfirstbuild Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Red Wing Mn Posts: 526	Re: Steering wheel turns by itself ? Ok, so I adjusted the lock nut back and the ram no longer has a mind of its own. I backed it off until the control valve wasn't humming. I still get some noise when i turn the wheel but I'm guessing its normal cause my wrangler makes a little noise when turning the wheel. Other then that I think i did it. Thanks for the help

11-15-2009, 11:23 PM	#9
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,584	Re: Steering wheel turns by itself ? Glad you got it centered ok. Does it move fairly smoothly from lock to lock? __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

11-15-2009, 11:36 PM	#10
kcfirstbuild Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Red Wing Mn Posts: 526	Re: Steering wheel turns by itself ? As far as I can tell ! Just not sure about the noise. Last edited by kcfirstbuild; 11-15-2009 at 11:48 PM.

11-16-2009, 12:01 AM	#11
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,584	Re: Steering wheel turns by itself ? Some of these units have a sort of quiver feel to them when turning. Did you find a rebuild kit for the control valve? Not much to them really. __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross



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