My 164 now has 285,000 miles on it. The power steering has been doing a good
job with a couple exceptions since I have had the car (33 years).
The first exception was that for a couple years I had recurrent fatigue cracks
on the AC compressor bracket and so I removed the belt which disabled the
power steering. It was very little stiffer at that time than a car without
power steering.
The second exception was a few months ago when the return hose finally wore
through and leaked the fluid down to where the pump would not provide enough
pressure to work the system. I finally cut the hose and put a piece of metal
tube inside it and refixed it with a couple hose clamps. Since it was the
return hose it was not considered to be any pressure problem. Once I filled
it with fluid it worked fine, about 5 or 6 months ago.

Now the steering is becoming stiff. The pump is still working and circulating
fluid, but sometimes the steering is pretty stiff. Also sometimes we get a
whine from the pump while steering. Anyone experienced this with an early
power steering system? Could it just be the pump is worn and not putting up
enough pressure? The pump is original and probably has all the car's mileage
except maybe 25,000 miles. Never given any problem up to now!
--
George Downs Bartlesville, Heart of the USA!

Hi george,
Don't know if this would be any help.
I have power-steering in my bmw, (Same interanls as the 164 box.) The steering is also getting stiff, sometimes it's ok, sometimes it's stiff; I also got a whinning noise from the pump.
Now I've replaced the pump and the steering feels just the way it shoud be, I suspect the pump is worn out.
Don't know if it'd help you, but it might be good to open the pump up and inspect it.

Maybe it's other components, like the lower balljoints.

I use to have to fight mine to keep it in a straight line, now I drive with fingertips.
--
MPergiel, Elmhurst, IL '74 145e T-5 'Orange Alert'

yeah, probably the balljoints and stuff like that, which are more noticeable on non p/s cars as soon as they start tightening up (as far as my 144 goes). Maybe it needs greasing if it has grease nipples on it. About that whine...well, I thought you would have overlooked it, considering the racket the p/s pump makes on the Taurus and most Fords that I know of! works well though.
--
...and the bricks keep on rolling

George,

I might have an extra unit if you want it...

Kent
--
Kent - too much iron, too little time

I think I probably have one that Susan and I pulled off a 76 240.
The steering is different but I think the pump is the same.
Many thanks, though, and if it comes to that I'll be back in touch.
BTW I just used your swaybar box to ship gifts to grandkids in PA.
--
George Downs Bartlesville, Heart of the USA!