Topic: Power steering cylinder problems

[beatlemike]

While detailing my undercarriage, I disconnected the power steering cylinder from the bracket that holds it to the frame. Unfortunately, I didn't hold the piston steady when I turned the nut and it appears the piston might have spun in the cylinder. I didn't think this was an issue until I connected everything and started the car. Now I hear a very loud squealing sound when I start the car. I now know to hold the piston steady when removing the nut but how do I fix this?

Mike

68 Dearborn plant

[Bob Gaines]

While detailing my undercarriage, I disconnected the power steering cylinder from the bracket that holds it to the frame. Unfortunately, I didn't hold the piston steady when I turned the nut and it appears the piston might have spun in the cylinder. I didn't think this was an issue until I connected everything and started the car. Now I hear a very loud squealing sound when I start the car. I now know to hold the piston steady when removing the nut but how do I fix this?

Mike

68 Dearborn plant

I suspect something else is causing the squealing besides the piston shaft of the ram spinning. I have never had that symptom associated with the shaft turning. Others may have had a different experience.

[ruppstang]

The usual squealing associated with power steering is a loose belt.   

[RoyceP]

Agree.

The piston / shaft spins freely. That's why the end of the shaft has flats to be able to hold it with a wrench while tightening the nut.

The usual squealing associated with power steering is a loose belt.

[Bossbill]

Better yet, there's a socket for that!

Snap-On (and others) make a socket that goes on the end of this piece and the shocks so that the end doesn't mush over. This one is labeled A135 and a bigger one is A136.

I've used a distributor wrench to hold the nut on the rear shocks and then set the impact to "tighten" to remove crusted on shock nuts.