I was thinking

[studefan]

Earlier I posted an issue where fluid was leaking out of the pitman arm area of the power steering control valve that I resealed last year.

Last weekend I took the internals and new seals out again to make sure they are installed correctly. Everything was in the order and the seals were both facing inward as required.

Anyway, it was last year that I installed the new seal kit. I filled the system with fluid at that time and worked on other portions of the car over the next 12 months. To this day I haven't started the car yet.

So, I'm thinking that since the system hasn't seen any pressure yet that maybe the inner most seal on the pitman end was not fully seated.

Whenever I do eventually start the car, wouldn't the pressure from the fluid push each seal outward and therefore help to seal the section near where the pitman arm is?

Could this explain the leak?

Thanks, Jeff

[BobPalma]

Well, maybe...

[WCP]

Something has to be amiss in the assembly. Are the cushions (1308-116) in place and in good condition? Also was there any evidence of scoring on the spool inner end where it passes thru the bushing (1308-91). The portion of the seal that wears is the inner bore area, as the seal stays stationary and the spool moves backward and forward. Is the bushing worn or sloppy on the spool? My experience with these valves is that they tend to seep and drip a bit from the back end cap. Later models of this valve, post Studebaker, have a gasket on that end cap, I believe for that reason. I can't see p/s fluid getting thru the thick chassis grease of the pitman ball socket. Are you sure that all of the flare nuts are tight and not allowing a trickle of fluid to find its way down to the bottom of the pitman ball socket. Ideally the flare seats should be replaced every time the hoses are changed, but these haven't been available for years (that I can find). The seats do get damaged and corroded. I have had to remove one and resurface it due to corrosion and then hope it doesn't leak. I was lucky! You do have to get the flare nuts tight!