Steering Question

[OBL1V1ON]

This is probably a stupid question. Anyhow, i just replaced my oil pan gasket, and to do that i had to drop the center link and unhook my steering cylinder and the fluid drained out. When i put it all back together do i just fill up the fluid and go or do i do some kind of bleeding like when you bleed your brakes?

 

[goingballistic]

You don't need to bleed the steering like brakes, the "bleed" is slightly different. Fill the reservoir with fluid and leave the top off. Start the car, crank the steering wheel to one side stop and then the other, refill the res and continue until it doesn't require anymore fluid to stay at the full mark, should only take three or four times. Check the res after the first time you drive car to make sure it's still full.

This is how I did it when I changed the steering control box last summer. Hope this helps.

 

[76okievette]

OBLIVION, how did the oil pan removal go? I am going to attempt it on my 1976 and also try and find some leaks at the front and rear of the engine. I noticed you are in OKC, Norman here nice to see another okie.

GO SOONERS

 

[68Roadster]

When I did mine, I did as posted above except after doing the turns stop to stop, I shut the car off and waited 15 minutes for the air to bleed out of the system.
You shouldn't have any trouble.

Good luck.

 

[OBL1V1ON]

The removal of the oil pan itself was easy so easy i went ahead and did the transmission pan too. The only harder part was getting the steering apart then putting everything back together. (especially putting the oil pan back up.)

76okievette,

I will shortly be moving down to norman. I am going to start taking some classes at ou and dont want to drive everyday. So, once i find an apartment ill be down there. Go Sooners!

 

[76okievette]

It will be nice to have another C3 driving around town, although the town has gotten so big we may never pass each other on the road. I can remember when you could tell it was summer time because the population of the town decreased by thousands (the students leaving for the summer) now either the studends don't leave or there are so many other folks you can't notice. When you see a Mahogany 1976 tooling around honk and we can stop and compare cars.

GO SOONERS

 

[Whiplash]

The removal of the oil pan itself was easy so easy i went ahead and did the transmission pan too. The only harder part was getting the steering apart then putting everything back together. (especially putting the oil pan back up.)

76okievette,

I will shortly be moving down to norman. I am going to start taking some classes at ou and dont want to drive everyday. So, once i find an apartment ill be down there. Go Sooners!

I just got done replacing the Oil Pump on my 71 and had to do the same thing.

You shouldn't have to lose PS fluid. Leave the hoses connected and just remove the nut at the end of the Cylinder's shaft, disconnted the Idler arm from the frame and the linkage drops enough to get the pan out.

To make life easier I'd use the Felpro one piece gasket. It ensures a solid seal all the way around and the creative installation clips they give in the kit make alignment and installation from under the car much much nicer than the four piece gaskets. While you're down there it would be worth replacing the rear main seal and oil pump (cheap insurance trust me). If you don't replace the oil pump be careful not to bump the pickup. I did this and killed my oil pressure and had to drop the pan and start over again.

Good luck. This job is a pain but certainly doable. The one piece gasket is worth it.

Whiplash

 

[bossvette]

just a quick note when you bleed the power steering be sure to have the wheels off the ground, just finished mine last week in time for Cruise-Fest 2004

 

[Big Tex]

Be looking for a silver/green '82 with a big scary looking guy doing a Hook 'Em Horns sign. That will be me.

BTW, there is a car show in Ponca City the first Saturday in June. A group from the COCC is heading up there. You should come join us.

It will be nice to have another C3 driving around town, although the town has gotten so big we may never pass each other on the road. I can remember when you could tell it was summer time because the population of the town decreased by thousands (the students leaving for the summer) now either the studends don't leave or there are so many other folks you can't notice. When you see a Mahogany 1976 tooling around honk and we can stop and compare cars.

GO SOONERS

 

[76okievette]

That sounds like a good idea I will go to the OCCC web site and get the info and pay my dues. I am going to Mexico in June so I hope its not he same time. We should all three get together, me, Tex and OBLIVION and have a mini crusie in OKC. PC

GO SOONERS

 

[Robin7TFour]

Okie, if you don't know the true age of the motor you may want to pull a Rod and Main bearing cap off and check the bearing surfaces.
when i dropped my pan all i did was remove the ilder arm from the steering link and had plenty of clearance....

circle the wagons

robin

 

[76okievette]

Thanks Robin, I believe I will check everything, replace the oil pump and seals, clean and paint the pan. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Robin7TFour]

Howdy pardner's, i have done a few bottom end tune-ups before.it's not the most proper way to fix a worn bottom. but it does buy you a few more miles on a worn crank.
i am sure a few will be aghast at my even suggesting it. however it allowed me to do the motor(s) properly later when i had the time and budget.

hi yo silver!!

robin