Studebaker Power Steering Ram Rebuild - how to

[sbca96]

I think I already have this problem, there is a spot on the shaft that
drew my attention. I will take a picture of it and post it later.

My patience is wearing thin with this car, I havent had such a long
string of issues before, its been since November 2006 since it last
operated like a "normal" car.[V]

Tom

quote:Originally posted by John Kirchhoff
They'll wear through the chrome and once into the steel, you usually have a permanent leak that new seals won't cure and is fixable only with a new shaft. Rotating the shaft will put wear on the opposite side and prolong the shaft life.

Tom, considering all the trials and tribulations you've had with this project, you're either a very patient man or a man on the verge of going berserk.

[Karl]

And just think. It gets to be more fun when you have more than One Studebaker.....

63 Twin Supercharged Avanti
64 Avanti R3w/NOS
88LSC Avanti 350 Supercharged w/NOS

[sbca96]

Oh .. I remember those days, at one time we had a 1939 Commander, 1940
Commander Hearse, 1960 Hawk, 1963 Daytona Wagonaire, 1964 Daytona HT,
1964 GT Hawk, and a 1969 Avanti II. Thats when I lived at home. Now,
my wife and I have a 63 Avanti, 78 Camaro, 86 IROC Camaro, 93 Camaro
Z28, 1994 Firebird Formula, 1995 Camaro Z28, and 1995 Impala SS clone.

Out of all those .. the '63 Avanti has the least miles and was "all fully
restored" on the 80's (though I doubt that).

Here are the pictures of the Ram wear :





Tom

quote:Originally posted by Karl
And just think. It gets to be more fun when you have more than One Studebaker....

[John Kirchhoff]

I don't know exactly where that spot is in relationship to the seal, but to me it looks more like there may have been a bit of water trapped there which caused the damage. Wear spots are usually longer and smoother and aren't pitted as yours appears. Were it mine, I think I'd get some emery cloth and try to smooth the area up some. A little bit of dripping is tolerable. If the worn area is right where the seal is when the car is driven in a straight line, you might be able to move the bad spot one way or the other away from the seal by altering the length of the threaded end. Gotta go, got a dentist appointment!

[Swifster]

quote:Originally posted by sbca96

Now, my wife and I have a 63 Avanti, 78 Camaro, 86 IROC Camaro, 93 Camaro Z28, 1994 Firebird Formula, 1995 Camaro Z28, and 1995 Impala SS clone.

I see the problems.....

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tom - Valrico, FL

1964 Studebaker Daytona - 289 4V, 4-Speed

[John Kirchhoff]

Ok, back from the dentist with a numb face. As I was saying, if you could polish the rough spot up a bit, it might still seal adequately. The way it looks now I'd be afraid of it chewing up the new seal. If you have something like a sharpening stone for knives and such you might be able to knock down the roughest spots and finish up with a little crocus cloth. As I said earlier, if this spot is where the seal normally rides when driving straight, threading the shaft in or out of the ball joint might be enough to get a good area for the seal to spend most of it's time at. That way, if the seal is going to seep at the bad spot, it'll only do that momentarily when turning and not continually when driving straight. The only bad thing it may do would be reduce the turning radius a slight amount in one direction.

[parky]

If the ram isn't mounted exactly as it was before (more or less number of threads showing) will it tend to pull to one side or the other when going straight down the road or will it only limit the turning as John stated above??
thanks
bob

62 GT Hawk

[sbca96]

The way I understand the operation of the system, the ram doesnt have
any effect on tracking or limits lock to lock/center. I could be off
on my understanding though. Studebaker uses stops on opposite sides
to control steering stop. The reach rod screwed in the control valve
could effect the lock to lock/center, as can the tie rod lengths. The
tie rods and kingpin alignment will effect pulling/tracking.

Since my RAM wasnt leaking before, and this damaged spot will probably
effect the sealing, I am tempted to find another ram, and just use the
one I have AS-IS in the meantime.

quote:Originally posted by Swifster
I see the problems.....

Funny, you know in 244,000 miles of constant abuse I havent had this
much hassle fixing anything I broke (or my wife broke) on the '93 Z28.
Even when she slammed it into the curb, bending the steering knuckle,
and then some neighbor hit it while it was parked the following week,
I was still able to get it back on the road in a month.

I look forward to the day I can drive the Avanti semi-regularly, and
then rebuild the engine in the 93 Z28.[B)]

Tom

[John Kirchhoff]

As Tom said, the position of the shaft in the cylinder has no effect on the steering whatsoever. The position of the pitman arm ball in the control valve is what determines whether or not and which side of the cylinder the high pressure fluid is applied to. When the ball is located in the center of the control valve, no pressurized fluid is sent to the cylinder and all of the fluid from the pump is routed through relief valve and back into the reservoir. When you turn the steering wheel, the ball is forced forward or backwards moving the spool which in turn opens ports, diverting the pressurized fluid through the hoses to either the top or bottom of the cylinder. (Top being the end the shaft extends from.) That'll teach you to ask a question, won't it Bob? Ha!

[parky]

Hey! I love the technical answers, as I have always been a technical person and love to know how something really works.
I found an almost new (supposedly) ram at the SB swap meet and grabbed it on impulse. When I finally got the old one off and on the bench I found out why it had been leaking so bad. Somebody rebuilt it but decided that all of the rebuild kit parts weren't necessary. They left out one of the rubber seals. I'm surprised it didn't leak worse than it did. If I get the new one installed and working ok I'll attempt to put a kit in the old one and my collection of used parts will continue to grow.
Thanks for the good info.
bob

62 GT Hawk

[Karl]

As Swifter said, I see the problems...To many GM products...lol

63 Twin Supercharged Avanti
64 Avanti R3w/NOS
88LSC Avanti 350 Supercharged w/NOS

[sbca96]

Well .. I need something to DRIVE.

BTW the Camaro will be going over 245,000 tonight on the drive home.
Still has the factory rack & pinion, PS hoses, and PS pump.[:0]

Tom

quote:Originally posted by Karl

As Swifter said, I see the problems...To many GM products...lol

[Ira]

i have the pump, ram and control valve along with the rebuild kits for an Eaton Pwr Steering unit for 60 Hawk. I need someone who can rebuild all three for me if anyone can recommend. thanks