Hi All,

I need some assistance diagnosing a power steering issue.

Problem arises on sharpish turns. Acts like the fluid is low, i.e. becomes hard to turn, wheel vibrates a little and some mild groaning & squealing sounds...

Thinking it is probably the pump failing but could a bad rack also cause these symptoms.

There is fluid in the reservoir and it is foaming a little. I've had a leak before where the fluid went dry, causing similar symptoms, but the pump stopped leaking with some Lucas goo.

Will try to do a test and have somebody move the steering wheel while I watch the reservoir to look for fluid pumping.

Late style 240 PS pump with fluid reservoir attached.


Thanks,
Bert

Thanks for the responses guys.

Will cycle the rack and see what happens.

Belt is tight.

I was planning on installing a Magnafine filter but got the wrong size and never got back to it... Douh.

Hopefully it's not the rack.

Double checked and found the fluid low. Topped it off, cycled and works OK.

Getting smoke around the PS pump and block. Guessing it's the PS fluid leak. Need to get in there and try to spot the leak source. Then need to get that Magnafine filter in.

Any suggestions on common PS leak locations?

And what is the feedback tubing diameter for the Magnafine filter?

Bert--besides the usual spots you could expect a leak - I just put my '84 245ti back on the road and needed to replace the pump/rack return hose. It was porous all down its length. Replaced it with the one from my '80 244 diesel parts car so apparently age is not necessarily the deciding factor as far as that part goes. -- Dave

Thanks Dave. Will inspect the return hose.

And thanks Matt for the part recommendation. Just what I needed.

One of those jobs I've been putting of for years now...

I would suspect the high pressure hose. The one that has the big banjo type fitting. Only takes a pin-hole, and it's not uncommon for them to develop that. Clean it, run it, watch it...

--
-Matt I ♥ my ♂

No need to change anything using the Magnefine filter. Just cut a piece of the return line out and install the filter with the clamps provided. They sell 2 kinds, one for automagic trannys and one for PS and as I recall they are of different diameters?(only have 5 speeds now) The magnefine traps the metallic particulates with filtration and magnetic capabilities. A must have for automagic transmissions after you clean or replace pan screen you will never have to drop the pan again if you install the filter into the return line from the cooler.

when i recently replaced the rack on my 1990 240 I installed this filter:

http://www.amazon.com/Wix-58964-In-Line-Transmission-Filter/product-reviews/B0014BCFC0/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?showViewpoints=1


nice unit, 5 minute install.

not sure about the tubing ID, but this fit perfectly.
$15 on amazon

--
'90 245 292k, '93 945 305k

There is air in the system, cycle the rack stop to stop a few time and see if that helps. Make sure the fluid is toped off.
Dan

Might be something as simple as a loose ps belt. That will mimic the symptoms of rack failure....and it won't always squeel.

this is good advice
--
'90 245 292k, '93 945 305k

Your rack is going. After you replace install an in-line filter from magnefine for yrs of trouble free rack problems.